Why Won’t My Baby Sleep Through the Night? (And What to Do About It)

One of the most searched (and most frustrating!) parenting questions in the early years is: Why won’t my baby sleep through the night? If you’re reading this blurry-eyed at 3am, know that you’re not alone – and more importantly, there are answers.

At Calm Babies, we’ve supported thousands of families through newborn sleeplessness, toddler wake-ups, and everything in between. In this post, we’ll walk you through the real reasons your baby might be waking and how you can gently support better sleep without tears or stress.

Is It Normal for Babies to Wake at Night?

Absolutely. Waking through the night is biologically normal for babies and young children. In fact, many infants continue to wake for feeds, comfort, or developmentally related reasons until at least 12 months.

But while night waking is normal, chronic, disruptive wakefulness can be exhausting for parents and often a sign that some gentle adjustments can help.

Newborns (0–3 months): Typically wake every 2–3 hours for feeds. Circadian rhythms are not yet established.

Babies (4–8 months): May still wake for a feed but should be able to link sleep cycles with support.

Older babies and toddlers: Frequent waking often relates to sleep associations, developmental milestones, regressions, or routine issues.

7 Common Reasons Babies Don’t Sleep Through the Night

1. Overtiredness or Undertiredness

Getting the right balance of awake time and sleep is crucial. When babies are overtired, cortisol kicks in and makes it harder for them to fall or stay asleep. Likewise, if they haven’t had enough stimulation, they may not be tired enough to rest.

📝 Check out our online guides to help you get on track with age-appropriate awake windows.

2. Hunger or Feeding Issues

If your baby is going through a growth spurt or cluster feeding, they may be waking due to genuine hunger. Likewise, if they’re not getting enough calories during the day, night feeds may linger longer than needed.

🍼 Learn more about feeding and sleep in our newborn sleep guide.

3. Developmental Milestones & Regressions

Rolling, crawling, walking, or language bursts often disrupt sleep. The 4-month sleep regression is the most well-known (and intense), but others happen around 8, 12, and 18 months.

🌙 Dive deeper in our blog: How to Overcome the 4-Month Sleep Regression

4. Sleep Associations

If your baby relies on feeding, rocking, or patting to fall asleep, they may struggle to return to sleep between cycles. Teaching them to fall asleep independently can improve night waking.

👉 We talk about this in our Sleep Guide for Babies.

5. Environmental Disruptions

Light, noise, temperature, or an uncomfortable sleep space can lead to frequent waking. Room temperature should stay between 18–20°C and the space should be dark and quiet.

Check out Red Nose Australia’s Safe Sleeping Advice for guidelines on safe sleep environments.

6. Separation Anxiety

Often peaks between 8–12 months and again around 18 months. Your baby might just want the reassurance that you’re nearby.

❤️ Our Toddler Guide walks through how to support your toddler’s emotional needs around sleep.

7. Medical Concerns

Reflux, allergies, eczema, or sleep apnea can all affect sleep. If you suspect a medical issue, speak to your GP or paediatrician.

How to Help Your Baby Sleep Better Tonight

Let’s talk about real, practical strategies you can implement today:

Create a Predictable Bedtime Routine

Bath, feed, cuddle, story, sleep. Keep it consistent. This builds strong sleep cues over time.

Adjust Nap Timing

Make sure your baby is getting the right amount of sleep during the day. Too much or too little can throw off nighttime sleep.

Encourage Self-Settling (Gently!)

Start by pausing before you intervene. Give them a chance to resettle. Then, try techniques like hands-on settling or spaced comforting, depending on your baby’s temperament.

📞 Book a phone consultation with Calm Babies to get a personalised, gentle sleep plan.

Review Sleep Environment

Ensure the room is dark (use blackout blinds), cool, and quiet. A white noise machine can help block out environmental sounds.

Know When to Get Support

Sometimes sleep struggles need expert eyes. That’s where we come in. Whether it’s your first baby or your third, we offer non-judgemental guidance and tailor sleep solutions to your family’s needs.

Real Baby Sleep Results from Real Parents

“We were up every 90 minutes and I was ready to give up. After one phone consult with Calm Babies, our son slept through the night within a week. Total life-changer!”

“I love that the approach was so gentle. No cry-it-out, just understanding our baby better.”

Want results like this? Start here: Book a Consultation

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to baby sleep!

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to baby sleep. But with expert guidance, consistency, and a bit of patience, your baby can learn to sleep better — and so can you.

Explore more resources:

• Online Guides for Babies by Age
• Toddler Sleep Guide
• Surviving the Fourth Trimester

You don’t have to struggle alone. Calm Babies is here to support you!