Baby Crying and Wont Seem to Wake Up

Common Reasons Why Your Newborn Won't Sleep

If you're struggling to sort out why your infant won't close their eyes, it can be due to an array of issues, not because they enjoy seeing you pull your hair out. Your child needs zzz's just as much as you, and it's usually due to feelings of frustration caused by an issue that can often be helped. Below we discuss what you can do.

Baby Has Skipped a Nap

Skipping a nap is a big indicator your newborn will express more difficult behavior later in the day. Not only are tired babies more cranky but they're more challenging to settle when it comes time to put them down for another nap or bedtime as well.

If you're out and about and they do miss a nap or take a short one in the car, just keep in mind that they may be cranky later in the day and have a harder time settling down. If you can't get home, extend that car nap by running through the drive thru or taking the long way home to avoid a meltdown later in the evening.

They Don't Know Day From Night

When infants are born, their circadian rhythm lacks development because for nine months your child was bundled up inside of a dark womb. Night and day mean nothing to them because in the womb, it didn't matter. When they emerge they have no concept of this and, as a result, will take a bit of time to adjust.

To help develop this cognitive function, it may help to employ a few tricks to encourage sleep. Things like darkness and soft noise can help children to sleep and spur the adjustment of their internal clocks.

It can help to keep their bedroom (or yours if you're co-sleeping) very dark so when they're inside it's easier to sleep. Investing in blackout curtains may sound like a pain, but they come at a variety of prices and can be installed by even the clumsiest of humans. (It's easier than it looks, and if I can do it, anyone can.)

Additionally, white noise machines for babies are known to help as well. You'd be surprised how loud the inside of a womb is, and it can remind them of this cozy time inside.

Development

Growth spurts or "wonder weeks," while terrific for overall development, can be a nightmare for parents trying to get their kiddo to bed. Due to the fact that infants are so little, they're growing constantly and often go through developmental bursts. When this happens, they may become overly tired or easily fussy because their body is exerting so much energy to process their growth.

Feeling Cold or Hot

Overtiredness

One of the most common culprits of restlessness is overtiredness. Despite sounding counter-intuitive, when your kiddo is exhausted, they become more cranky and irritable, leading to difficult behavior. When children become fixated on something or inconsolable, it can be challenging to settle them upon bedtime.

A good way to combat this is to ensure they get proper naps every day. It can be tempting to skip a nap if you're running errands with your munchkin in tow, but doing so could result in a more difficult evening and even following day. Following a set sleepytime routine can help your little one know when it's time to close their eyes.

Hunger

Babies eat a lot, and it's important to feed them as needed. As caregivers, we naturally want to make sure our newborns are not being overfed or underfed. If your tyke is waking up in the middle of the night despite the ability to self-soothe, they may be waking up due to hunger.

If you think this may be the cause, try encouraging your tot to snack or nurse a little longer during the day to squeeze in more calories. If they're not hungry during the day, another technique to get them to eat more is called "dream feeding," when you gently feed them after they've fallen asleep. However, it's important to use caution and hold them properly.

Overstimulation

While it's great to wear your infant out so they sleep soundly at night, they can become overly excited if they're exposed to too much stimulation. Passing a sociable baby around and getting them acquainted with new family members is excellent for social conditioning; however, stopping before they're so overstimulated that they can't settle is key.

Try to notice their sleep cues—this could include yawning, rubbing their eyes, fussiness, or nodding off. When they're visibly tired, try to lay them down so they can rest immediately. In addition, putting your newborn down while they're still awake will help with sleep training.

Can Mother's Diet Be a Potential Cause?

Generally speaking, mothers don't need to modify their diet while breastfeeding. However, drinking significant amounts of alcohol and caffeine are discouraged. If your newborn is having trouble sleeping, try avoiding coffee as a way to rule it out as a culprit.

Your Newborn Doesn't Feel Well

Unfortunately, the only means of communication before our kiddos learn to speak is crying. Due to their still-developing cognition, they aren't able to articulate their precise needs, and sometimes we may not guess correctly.

If your munchkin is having trouble sleeping, it may be due to an illness. Running a fever, or colic can be common in little ones, and they aren't always easy to spot. Make sure you check their temperature and look for symptoms if they're sleeping irregularly.

Lack of Routine

Routine can play a significant factor in children's wellbeing and sleep regulation—even adults like to know what to expect. Implementing a stable schedule can assist in establishing a secure relationship regarding activities and will help to ease any stress, allowing them to snooze easily.

Additionally, doing the same activities in the same order every day will assist in muscle memory. Your little one will grow accustomed to dinner, bath time, reading a book, and singing softly before going down for bed. Associating certain things with night time can also prompt them to grow drowsy as the routine goes on.

If your tot is having trouble sleeping, try implementing a comfortable yet firm routine, and stick with it for a few weeks. They should improve with time as it will give them a sense of security and trust.

Baby Wants to Play

They may have excess energy they need to express, and if this is the case, they'll need a bit more attention and playtime before nightfall. Laying in bed wide awake with pent up energy isn't fun for adults, and it's certainly not fun for babies either.

Inability to Transition From Active to Passive Sleep

Infants don't have the same sleep cycles as adults because their brains haven't had time yet to develop fully. As time goes on they'll gain this ability, but until then, much of their snoozing hours will be spent in active sleep, which is similar to REM.

During this stage, newborns are more likely to wake up, making them more prone to sensitive sleep habits. Infants endure about 50% of their dream time in active sleep, and adults only spend about 20%.

As a result, this allows for more chances to wake up due to a disturbance. While it's not encouraged to keep quieter than you normally would when your babe is asleep, it does explain any sensitive wakings.

They Need a Sleep Prop

We all enjoy our comforts, and newborns particularly enjoy something that brings them a sense of familiarity. Having something in bed with them that signifies nighttime can help prompt them to doze off. Many children have special blankets or stuffed animals they tote around, and even a piece of cloth that smells like a parent can provide additional comfort.

Baby Crying and Wont Seem to Wake Up

Source: https://www.sleepadvisor.org/newborn-wont-sleep/