Help! My baby is waking hourly!
A common cry from many parents, but does it always mean something is wrong? And…..
Is there an easy fix?
It’s understandable why we might jump to the conclusion that there must be something wrong when a baby wakes so frequently. In a way it would feel so much more straightforward if we could diagnose a health or medical issue, have it fixed and then our sleep woes would be gone. But a baby waking hourly per se doesn’t indicate an issue.
What are normal nightly wakings?
Babies often wake up during the night, sometimes quite frequently, and in general this is normal infant behaviour. I know how feel relentless, challenging, and utterly exhausting this can be. I’ve been there! Compounding this difficulty is the societal expectation that babies should sleep through the night from an early age, which often contrasts with the biological realities of infant sleep patterns. Instead of focusing solely on how often babies wake up or how much sleep they get, we need to look at the quality of their sleep.
So does hourly waking indicate a problem?
Let’s look at a scenario to help answer this. Your baby wakes almost every hour, latches onto you for a quick feed, and then falls back asleep. It's draining and exhausting, but it's unlikely to be a red flag situation. However, if this is becoming unsustainable for you, then gentle changes, specific to the situation and the baby’s individual needs, can be put in place to ease the situation.
If, on the other hand, your baby wakes hourly and despite your efforts to respond—feeding and rocking them, it takes a significant amount of time for them to fall asleep, only for them to wake up shortly afterwards with you having to repeat the cycle, this is likely to be a red flag situation.
Sleep Red Flags Check
So the starting point in unpicking a sleep issue is to always check for red flags.There’s absolutely no point in looking at other factors affecting sleep or coming up with sleep strategies before any red flags are ruled out. It could well be that an underlying health or medical issue is causing the disturbed sleep. So surging forward, and skipping this vital step, will not only mean that the sleep issue will most likely continue causing prolonged levels of frustration and overwhelm, but also increases the likelihood of missing a health problem that could impact a child's overall health and well-being.
Trust your instincts
Before taking a look at what constitutes a red flag I just want to stress that if you have a gut feeling something isn’t right with your little one then please listen to your gut. I have to say, mine has rarely let me down! Always seek advice even just to reassure you. And if you’re told all is well but you feel you’ve been ignored and your concerns dismissed then do get a second opinion. Once issues have been thoroughly checked and ruled out, you can find reassurance, but continue to observe because you know your little one better than anyone else!
What is a sleep red flag?
The term ‘sleep red flag’ refers to a sign or indicator that suggests there may be an underlying health issue or concern affecting a person's sleep. While this list is by no means exhaustive, it covers the main red flags that can crop up with infant sleep.
🚩 Noisy Breathing and Snoring
If your baby sounds like a little train chugging along while they sleep, this needs to be looked into. Noisy breathing or snoring can sometimes indicate issues with their airways, such as sleep apnea, or oral motor dysfunction, like tongue tie or a dental issue. Of course if your baby has a cold or nasal congestion this will occur but it’s a red flag if this occurs when your baby is fit and well.
🚩 Mucus/Foamy/Green or Bloody Poo
Keeping an eye on your baby’s nappy can give you important clues about their health and sleep quality:
Mucus in the Stool
Slimy, mucus-like streaks can be a sign of an infection or allergy.
Foamy or Frothy Poo
This might indicate a foremilk-hindmilk imbalance in breastfed babies, causing digestive discomfort and restless nights.
Green Poo
Occasionally normal, but consistent green poo with other symptoms like fussiness might indicate an intolerance or allergy.
Bloody Poo
Any blood in your baby’s poo is a red flag and requires medical attention.
🚩 Discomfort or Pain
Babies can’t tell us when they’re in pain, but they can show it. If your little one seems uncomfortable, arches their back, or cries out in their sleep, they might be dealing with:
Reflux or GERD: Frequent spitting up or discomfort after feeds can disturb sleep.
Teething: Sore gums and drooling can cause night wakings.
Ear Infections: Look for ear tugging, increased fussiness, or trouble sleeping.
Wind: Pain after feeding, pulling legs to the belly, or a hard tummy can indicate wind.
Skin Irritations: Rashes, eczema, or nappy rash can worsen at night due to lower cortisol levels and changes in temperature.
🚩 Restlessness
Constant tossing and turning might indicate issues ranging from diet deficiencies (like low iron or magnesium) to underlying medical conditions. It can be helpful to video your baby over several nights to identify patterns and share with your doctor.
🚩 Night Sweats
Occasional sweating is normal, but if your baby regularly wakes up drenched, it might be worth investigating. It could be as simple as adjusting sleepwear or room temperature, but sometimes it can indicate an underlying issue like a hormonal imbalance.
🚩 Excessive Daytime Fatigue
If your baby seems unusually tired during the day despite getting the expected amount of sleep, consult your family doctor.
Noticing a sleep red flag doesn’t necessarily indicate an underlying health issue, but it's a sign to seek advice and possibly further investigation.
Please note…
I’m not a qualified medical practitioner; all of the above information is provided as guidelines. As I’ve said before, but it’s most definitely worth reiterating here—trust your instincts and don’t hesitate to seek professional advice when needed.
The key to starting your sleep journey
Identifying any red flags is the absolute key in ensuring your little one gets the right sleep support. Quite often once a health or medical issue is resolved, sleep can improve significantly. However there are times when sleep support, specific to your little one’s needs, is also needed to nudge sleep in the right direction and then everyone can get the rest they need and crave!
