You finally feel like you’re starting to get the hang of things, you’ve started to get ahold of this parenting thing…and then—boom!—your little one, who was just beginning to sleep through the night, suddenly starts waking up again. If you’ve been perplexed about your 6 month old baby waking up at night, don’t worry — you’re not alone! Night waking is a very common issue at this age, and it may be happening for several reasons.
In this post, I’ll walk you through why your baby may be waking up at night and give you tips on how to help your little one (and you!) get better sleep.
#1: Developmental Milestones and Sleep Disruptions
At 6 months old, your baby is going through some exciting developmental changes. They’re learning to roll over, sit up, and maybe even getting close to crawling. While these milestones are amazing to witness, they can also disrupt your baby’s sleep.
What’s Happening?
Developmental milestones often go hand-in-hand with sleep regressions. Your baby’s brain is busy processing new skills, and that mental activity can lead to more frequent wake-ups. It’s as if your baby’s body wants to practice these new abilities, even in the middle of the night!
How to Help:
During the day, give your baby plenty of opportunities to practice their new skills. Tummy time, rolling practice, and sitting up exercises will help them build confidence and wear them out physically, which can contribute to better sleep at night.
#2: Hunger and Growth Spurts
At 6 months, your baby might be going through a growth spurt, which could cause them to wake up more frequently to feed. Even if your baby is starting solid foods, their little bodies are still growing rapidly, and they may need the extra calories to keep up.
What’s Happening?
Growth spurts typically last a few days, and during this time, your baby may need to eat more, both during the day and at night. This increase in hunger is temporary, but it can definitely disrupt their sleep.
How to Help:
Try to make sure your baby is getting enough to eat during the day. If they’re waking up hungry at night, consider offering a slightly larger feed before bedtime. However, if you’ve already weaned your baby off night feeds, it’s okay to offer comfort and reassurance instead of reintroducing full feeds. Every baby is different, so follow your baby’s cues and consult with your pediatrician if you’re unsure about night feeding.
#3: Sleep Associations and Night Waking
Another reason for your 6-month-old baby waking up at night is due to sleep associations. Sleep associations are the conditions that your baby has learned to associate with falling asleep. These could include things like being rocked to sleep, feeding to sleep, or using a pacifier.
What’s Happening?
If your baby relies on certain conditions to fall asleep, they might wake up when those conditions change during the night. For example, if your baby needs to be rocked to sleep at bedtime, they may wake up looking for the same comfort after each sleep cycle (which can happen every 45-60 minutes). While this is totally normal, it can lead to frequent night wakings.
How to Help:
To reduce night wakings related to sleep associations, try helping your baby learn to fall asleep more independently. You can start by gently weaning them off the need to be rocked or fed to sleep. This doesn’t mean you need to leave your baby to cry it out! Instead, you can use gentle methods like gradually reducing the time you spend rocking or feeding them before sleep. The goal is to allow your baby to fall asleep in the same environment they’ll be waking up in throughout the night, so they don’t need external help to get back to sleep.
#4: Teething Troubles
At around 6 months, many babies start teething, which can be a major cause of night waking. Those little teeth pushing through the gums can cause discomfort, making it harder for your baby to stay asleep.
What’s Happening?
Teething pain is often worse at night when there are fewer distractions to take your baby’s mind off the discomfort. As a result, your baby may wake up fussier than usual or have trouble settling back down.
How to Help:
If you suspect that teething is the culprit, there are a few things you can do to make your baby more comfortable. Try offering a cold teething toy before bedtime. If your baby seems particularly uncomfortable, you can also ask your pediatrician about using a baby-safe pain reliever. Keep in mind that while teething can cause discomfort, it’s usually a temporary phase (few days), and your baby’s sleep will improve once the teeth come through. Also, if your baby has been “teething” for weeks, this is likely not the culprit, so keep reading.
#5: Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety can also kick in around the 6-month mark, causing your baby to wake up at night seeking reassurance. Your baby is becoming more aware of the world around them, and they’re beginning to realize that you can leave—and that’s a little scary for them!
What’s Happening?
As your baby becomes more attached to you, they may feel distressed when you’re not around. This can lead to night wakings where your baby is looking for comfort and reassurance from you.
How to Help:
At bedtime, offer lots of cuddles and comfort to reassure your baby. You can also try leaving a piece of clothing or blanket that smells like you in their crib to provide some comfort. If your baby wakes up during the night due to separation anxiety, offer calm, reassuring words without picking them up every time, to help them learn that night wakings don’t always require full interaction.
#6: Adjusting Your Baby’s Sleep Schedule
At 6 months, your baby’s sleep needs may simply be changing. They may need fewer naps during the day, or they may be ready for an earlier or later bedtime. A sleep schedule that worked well at 3 or 4 months might not be as effective now.
What’s Happening?
As your baby grows, their overall sleep needs decrease slightly, and they may consolidate naps or drop a late-afternoon nap. Keeping your baby awake too long before bedtime or putting them to bed too late can lead to overtiredness, which often results in more frequent night wakings.
How to Help:
Reevaluate your baby’s current sleep schedule and make adjustments as needed. At 6 months, most babies need 2-3 naps during the day, with wake windows of around 2.5 hours between naps. Aim for a bedtime that aligns with their natural sleepiness cues, which is typically between 7-8 p.m. Stick to a consistent routine, and give your baby time to adjust if you make changes to their sleep schedule.
When to Seek Help
While many night wakings are normal and can be managed with adjustments like these, sometimes the issue may be more serious. If your baby’s night waking is frequent, excessive, or affecting their overall well-being, it’s always a good idea to reach out for support.
How a Baby Sleep Consultant Can Help
If you’ve tried everything and you’re still struggling with your 6 month old baby waking up at night, it might be time to consider working with a baby sleep consultant. As a trained professional and Nurse, I can help you identify the specific causes of your baby’s night waking and create a personalized sleep plan that works for your family. We’ll work together to address any sleep associations, schedule adjustments, or underlying issues that might be causing the disruptions, so both you and your baby can get the rest you need.
If you’ve been struggling with your 6 month old baby waking up at night, my services can help. You can check them out right here. And, be sure to read how I’ve helped other families dealing with your exact problem in the past!
