Baby Not Sleeping

Baby not sleeping ? If you could give any expecting mommy the perfect gift at her baby shower, it would have to be the gift of “endless nights of good sleep.” In an ideal world, every baby would drop to sweet slumber at the click of a finger.

Sounds so simple right?

Unfortunately, most parents have yet to experience a perfect night of sleep with their cute little newborn. Sleep deprivation from “Baby Not Sleeping” is a common problem for just about every mommy at some stage of her baby’s life, starting from newborn all the way to toddler years. This can often result in a very unhappy, stressed out mommy who is barely able to get through the day, much less enjoy her little baby. Not only that, but the physical implications from a lack of sleep can lead to all sorts of problems for mind, body, and soul!

In order to understand your baby’s needs and why he or she might not be sleeping, I want to help you identify a few possible reasons as to why first before we give you the “Secret Sauce to Sweet Slumber!”

5 Reasons Why Your Baby Isn’t Sleeping:

Each stage of a baby’s life changes when it comes to the sleep department – much like the stages of physical growth. The problems and concerns of why a newborn isn’t sleeping changes from the reasons why a toddler isn’t sleeping.

Baby is hungry

I don’t know about you, but I just can’t fall asleep if I am experiencing those hunger pains deep in my belly while I try to go to sleep. If you baby is young, chances are your baby might be feeling the same. Newborns need more frequent feeds than older infants and may even need a top up during the night. But once a baby is eating solids, with 3 well-balanced meals throughout the day, along with additional snacks, plenty of milk and hydration, this will significantly improve your baby’s ability to sleep well throughout the night. Often encouraging a “tank up” before your baby goes to sleep or around dinner is good for babies of all ages.

Baby is overtired

Not being able to sleep because your baby is overtired, is often the case with adults too. Have you ever felt like you just can’t make it through until the night because you’re so tired, only to find that you suddenly have a surge of energy right before you go to sleep making it impossible for you to settle? Well, babies suffer from the same thing. This is caused by a chemical response of adrenaline and cortisol to the system making it hard to settle and relax.

Baby is in pain or suffering discomfort

Teething, an upset stomach, earaches, or infections, can all be a cause of why your baby isn’t sleeping. They may even be waking up because they’re too hot or possibly too cold. Or you may have just changed their diaper only to find them unable to go to sleep because they made a last minute poop and are uncomfortable sitting it in!

Baby is too excited to sleep

Overstimulation before bed is often a problem of why baby won’t go to sleep. Getting them tired out with fun play does help to an extent, however getting an already tired baby overexcited can lead to them to being overtired. Exposure to television or electronic devices can also cause overstimulation. Encouraging a “winding down” period before bed is very helpful. You can do this by giving your baby a relaxing bath, playing calming music, diffusing a sleep-promoting essential oil in baby’s room, or by enjoying a few warm cuddles with your little one.

Baby doesn’t know how to “self-soothe”

Some babies are born self-soothers, others aren’t. It’s totally okay to give your baby a couple of minutes to fall back asleep on their own when they wake up in the middle of the night. If we jump up each time they wake up and immediately pick them up or rock them, it can actually have a negative affect and cause them to wake up instead of falling back asleep.

The “Secret Sauce to Sweet Slumber”

You may have found yourself reading this article as you’re currently suffering from sleep deprivation and in a desperate attempt to find a solution to your problem. You’ve woken up this morning feeling even more exhausted than when you went to bed in the first place, and you know action needs to be taken.

Is there any magic in getting baby to sleep, you ask?

I completely understand how you feel and am happy to say that you’re in good hands. I have put together some effective Sleep Training Packages to help your little one – and you, enjoy a good night’s sleep!