Why Your Baby Wakes Up All Night (and What You Can Do About It)
/You finally get your baby down, tiptoe back to bed, and… thirty minutes later, they’re up again.
If you feel like your nights are just a never-ending cycle of feeding, rocking, and shushing, you are not alone. In fact, it’s normal for newborns to wake up frequently in the early weeks and months. That doesn’t make it any easier when you’re completely exhausted, your partner has to be up for work, and you can barely remember what day it is.
At Detroit Dreams Tonight, we support Metro Detroit families through those sleepless nights with compassionate, expert care and we’re here to share more about why your baby might be waking up so often… and what you can do to make nights a little smoother for everyone.
1. Their Tummy Is Tiny
Newborn stomachs are really small—about the size of a walnut in the first week. That means they need to eat frequently.
It’s completely normal for babies under three to four months old to wake every 2–3 hours to feed. This stage won’t last forever, but it can feel brutal when you’re the one up at all hours of the night.
What you can do:
Try to cluster feed in the evening to fill baby’s tummy before bed. Breastmilk naturally contains tryptophan, an amino acid that helps your baby produce serotonin and melatonin, the hormones that promote better sleep. Evening breastmilk tends to have higher levels of tryptophan, so offering more frequent night feeds leading up to bedtime may help set your baby up for longer stretches of rest.
Keep nighttime feedings calm, quiet, and not stimulating.
If possible, have your partner or an overnight postpartum doula handle burping, diaper changes, and soothing so you can get back to sleep sooner.
2. They Don’t Know Day from Night Yet
Newborns don’t come pre-programmed with a sleep schedule. Their circadian rhythm (internal clock) hasn’t developed yet and likely won’t until they’re several months old. Meaning your newborn doesn’t know the difference between 2 a.m. and 2 p.m.
What you can do:
During the day, keep the house bright, get some outdoor time before noon, and engage with baby: talk, sing, play.
At night, keep the lights low and noises low and your voice soft to signal it’s a restful time of day.
Be consistent with a simple bedtime routine like a warm bath, feeding, and lullaby. Your routine doesn’t have to be elaborate or complicated. You can add to it as baby gets older, but for now just start with a predictable rhythm.
3. They Need Comfort and Reassurance
The world outside the womb is big and overwhelming. Your baby may wake frequently just to feel safe and connected to you.
While this is totally normal, it’s also exhausting for parents.
What you can do:
Try swaddling (if your baby likes it) to recreate a snug, womb-like feeling.
Use white noise to mimic the sounds they heard while in the womb.
Consider safe co-sleeping or a bedside bassinet so baby feels close without being in your bed.
4. They Might Be Gassy or Uncomfortable
If your baby seems to wake up crying in pain or discomfort, there could be a physical reason behind their restless nights. Gas, reflux, or even being too hot or too cold can lead to frequent wake-ups.
What you can do:
Make sure baby has a good burp after every feeding.
Keep baby upright for 10 minutes after feeding to allow milk to settle.
Practice infant massage.
Keep their sleep space cool, around 68–72°F, and dress them in one extra layer than you’re wearing.
If you suspect reflux or another issue, check in with your pediatrician.
5. They’re Going Through a Growth Spurt or Developmental Leap
Babies grow fast, and their sleep can be completely thrown off during these times. Growth spurts often mean extra feedings, more synapses firing, extra wake-ups, and what I like to call “baby FOMO”.
What you can do:
Offer more frequent feeds during the day and evening.
Know that these phases are temporary and often only last just a few days.
Give yourself grace and as much rest as possible.
When It’s Time to Call in Backup
Even though frequent night waking is normal, that doesn’t mean there aren’t times where you’ll need help.
If you’re so tired you can’t think straight, your mental health is taking a hit, or you just feel like you need some guidance and more support, it’s time to bring in help. An overnight doula can step in to care for your baby while you get several uninterrupted hours of sleep, which is life-changing for your recovery and wellbeing.
The reality is, frequent night wakings are completely normal and may last for months, especially during the newborn stage. Having realistic expectations about your baby’s sleep is one of the best things you can do for your mental health.
Try not to compare your baby’s sleep patterns to another baby’s—even siblings can have completely different sleep needs. Every baby is unique, and what works for one family might not work for another. This is a season that will eventually pass, and giving yourself grace as you move through it is essential.
If you feel like you’ve tried everything and still can’t get the rest you need, that’s where having extra support, like an overnight doula, can make a huge difference for both you and your baby. At Detroit Dreams Tonight, we’ve helped countless families in Metro Detroit navigate the exhausting early months with compassion and expertise. We’ll support you through the night shift so you can wake up feeling human again.
You don’t have to dread nighttime anymore. With the right support, you can feel confident, rested, and ready to face each new day with your baby.
Reach out to us with information about your needs and we can schedule a time to talk about how our overnight doula team can help your family finally get the rest you need.
