As a new parent, you may have experienced the struggle of getting your newborn to sleep. While it's perfectly normal for newborns to wake up every few hours to feed, if your baby is not sleeping well or is constantly waking up crying, it can be stressful for both you and your baby. In this article, we will explore the reasons why your newborn may not be sleeping and provide some solutions to help you and your baby get some much-needed rest.
Reasons Why Your Newborn Is Not Sleeping Well
There are several reasons why a newborn might not be sleeping. Here are some of the most common ones:
Hunger
One of the most common reasons why newborns don't sleep is hunger. Newborns have tiny tummies and need to feed frequently, often every two to three hours. If your baby is waking up crying, they may be hungry and need to be fed. To ensure your baby is getting enough to eat, try to feed them on demand, and keep track of how often they feed.
Discomfort
Another reason why your newborn may not be sleeping is discomfort. Your baby may be too hot or too cold, or they may have a dirty diaper. It's important to check if your baby needs a diaper change or if they are comfortable with their clothes and bedding. You can also try using a pacifier or giving your baby a gentle massage to help them relax.
Overstimulation
Newborns can easily become overstimulated, especially if they are exposed to too much noise, light, or activity. If your baby is not sleeping well, it may be because they are overstimulated. To help your baby relax, try dimming the lights, turning off any loud noises, and creating a calm environment.
Sleep Regression
Sleep regression is a period of time when your baby's sleep patterns change, and they wake up more frequently at night. Sleep regression can occur at around 4 months, 8 months, and 12 months. During these periods, your baby may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. If you suspect sleep regression, try to establish a consistent sleep routine and be patient as it can take a few weeks for your baby to adjust. To read more about sleep regression read our blog Understanding Sleep Regression: What it is and how to cope with it
Medical Issues
If your baby is not sleeping well despite your efforts, there may be an underlying medical issue. Medical issues such as reflux, colic, and ear infections can cause discomfort and pain, making it difficult for your baby to sleep. If you suspect your baby has a medical issue, consult your pediatrician for advice.
Solutions to Help Your Newborn Sleep Better
Now that you know some of the reasons why your newborn might not be sleeping well, here are some tips to help your baby get the rest they need.
Establish a Consistent Sleep Routine
Establishing a consistent sleep routine can help your baby understand when it's time to sleep. A sleep routine can include activities such as bathing, reading a book, and singing a lullaby. Try to stick to the same routine every night, and your baby will learn to associate these activities with sleep.
Create a Soothing Sleep Environment
Creating a soothing sleep environment can help your baby relax and fall asleep. A cool, dark, and quiet room is ideal for sleeping. You can also use blackout curtains, a white noise machine, or a gentle lullaby to help your baby drift off to sleep.
Swaddle Your Baby
Swaddling is a technique that involves wrapping your baby tightly in a blanket to create a sense
of security and comfort. Swaddling can also help prevent your baby from startling themselves awake with their own movements. Make sure to swaddle your baby correctly, so they can breathe comfortably and don't overheat. Babydeepsleep weighted swaddle can be used for this purpose.
Use White Noise
White noise can help your baby fall asleep by blocking out other sounds and creating a calming environment. White noise can be anything from the sound of a fan to a specific white noise machine designed for babies. Experiment with different types of white noise to find what works best for your baby.
Try Infant Massage
Infant massage can help your baby relax and promote sleep. Gently massaging your baby's feet, hands, and back can soothe them and make them feel more comfortable. There are many resources available to learn how to safely and effectively massage your baby.
When to Seek Help
While it's normal for newborns to wake up often, there are some signs that indicate you should seek help from a healthcare provider. These signs include:
- Your baby is not gaining weight or is losing weight
- Your baby is extremely fussy or difficult to console
- Your baby is not waking up to eat or is sleeping for excessively long periods
- Your baby has a fever or other signs of illness
If you're concerned about your baby's sleep patterns or overall health, don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider.
Conclusion
Newborns not sleeping can be a challenge for any new parent. However, with patience and consistency, you can help your baby establish healthy sleep patterns. Remember to address any underlying issues such as hunger, discomfort, or medical concerns. Creating a soothing sleep environment and trying the techniques mentioned above can help your baby sleep better.
FAQs
How long should a newborn sleep?
Newborns typically sleep for 16 to 17 hours a day, but they wake up every few hours to feed.
How can I soothe my newborn to sleep?
Soothing your newborn to sleep can involve activities such as rocking, singing, or giving a gentle massage. Experiment with different techniques to find what works best for your baby.
Should I wake my newborn up to feed?
It's important to feed your newborn on demand, but if they are sleeping for long stretches, it's okay to let them sleep. Consult your pediatrician for guidance on feeding your newborn.
When should I be concerned about my newborn not sleeping?
If your newborn is not sleeping well despite your efforts, or if they have other concerning symptoms such as fever or lethargy, consult your pediatrician.
What is sleep regression, and how can I help my baby through it?
Sleep regression is a period of time when your baby's sleep patterns change, and they wake up more frequently at night. Establishing a consistent sleep routine and being patient can help your baby adjust to sleep regression. Read more about sleep regression here.
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Wir haben den Schlafsack mit und ohne Beine und jetzt zuletzt auch die Weste gekauft.
Den Schlafsack haben wir gekauft, weil unser Baby damals immer schon um fünf Uhr morgens wach wurde, und nicht mehr weiter schlafen wollte. Nachdem sie mit dem Schlafsack geschlafen hatte, hat sie bis sieben Uhr morgens geschlafen und das einmal nachts Stillen hat sie auch aufgegeben und durchgeschlafen!!!
Seit her verwenden wir die Schlafsäcke vor allem wegen des frühen Aufwachens! Wir haben Phasen wo wir ihn nicht brauchen und Phasen, wo sie wieder damit schläft!
Einfach Top diese Schlafsäcke!
Für den Sommer schön dünn vom Stoff!
Im Winter haben wir in den Babyzeiten einen Wintersack drüber gezogen!
Und jetzt schläft sie einfach mit Decke drüber.
Vielen Dank für diese tollen Produkte.
Wir nennen unseren Schlafsack Schildkröte, weil es aussieht, als hätte sie einen Krötenpanzer an.
Ausprobieren und lieben!!!
Made it possible to put the baby down in the baby nest! Before baby could just sleep on me.
We had extreme problems with our 3rd child's sleep. After 3 months, we were at our wit's end and tried just about everything. He never slept for more than 45 minutes at a time and not by himself. It improved with the weighted sleeping swaddle. Now he is 5 months old and sleeps well for several hours.
Our daughter is 17 months old and she has a regular wake-up schedule around 9 PM, 11 PM, 2 AM, 4 AM, and 5:30 AM, usually staying awake between 5:30 AM and 6:30 AM.
She frequently wakes up during the night, feeling upset, tossing and turning, and wanting to breastfeed. She gets upset if she doesn't get to breastfeed and prefers to sleep on us while we have to stand up and rock her back to sleep. She usually sleeps in my bed.
Nights have been challenging, and we were getting desperate. However, last night was our first experience with the weighted sleeping bag... 😱 😱
She woke up around 12 AM for the first time, climbed on me, and quickly fell back asleep. She woke up a few times after that but managed to soothe herself back to sleep. At 5 AM, I had to stand up and rock her, but she quickly fell back asleep. At 6:10 AM, there was a joyful wake-up call from our 1.5-year-old. She slept much more soundly and peacefully, and she managed to fall back asleep on her own, which she had never done before.
We noticed a significant improvement just on the first night. In fact, I don't feel utterly exhausted this morning and don't have that pressing need to take a nap during the day, which I usually do. I'm feeling enthusiastic about the upcoming nights and hoping to get a full night's sleep without interruptions, so I can regain some normalcy in my life. I can't imagine what we would have done if we hadn't found this weighted sleeping bag.
I just want to say... thank you!! ❤
About 4 months ago, we entered a nightmare period. Our little boy, who had been sleeping through the night and was generally happy, suddenly started waking up multiple times during the night, inconsolable. Initially, we attributed it to a cold, but even after he recovered, the night disturbances continued. About 2 months later, he was diagnosed with asthma, which seemed like a valid reason for his nighttime awakenings. However, despite responding well to asthma medication and having no issues during the daytime, the nights remained a pure ordeal. He would wake up incredibly anxious and screaming, and we often found ourselves staying up for hours trying to soothe him back to sleep. We tried everything and came across something called 'Night Terrors,' which seemed to describe his symptoms perfectly – an anxious nightmare from which he couldn't wake up, likely triggered by his illness.
I am a trained occupational therapist, and I understand the importance of sensory stimuli for many individuals. So, we began researching products related to weighted blankets/bags. That's when we discovered this sleeping bag.
We received it a week ago, and now, he puts it on when he has his nighttime bottle, creating a positive association. And I must say, it's been a tremendous success. He has slept for a full 11 hours every night for the past 7 nights. Our boy is now extremely happy and well-rested, and so are his parents
Our son used to wake up in the middle of the night and struggle to fall back asleep, sometimes staying awake for 2-3 hours. When we read a lot about weighted pajamas, we decided to give them a try. We noticed results almost immediately. He started falling asleep faster and sleeping more peacefully. Instead of having 2-4 wakeful nights a week, it reduced to just one. Now that he has moved in with his big sister, he sleeps through the entire night, and we still use the weighted pajamas because we're afraid to try without them.
We purchased the Baby Deepsleep for our son a couple of months ago. It worked very well in terms of his daytime naps, but it was challenging to determine if it helped at night since our son continued to wake up as frequently as before. Nevertheless, it's a nice product, and I can certainly recommend it to everyone I know to give it a try
When my daughter turned 4 months old, her sleep gradually started to deteriorate. By the time she was 7-8 months old, it had become so bad that going to bed seemed pointless. She would wake up crying 1-2 times every hour throughout the night, and sometimes even more frequently during the early hours of the night. It was absolute torture.
I was aware of weighted swaddle but had hesitated due to the price. However, after trying everything else without success, it was our last option. We've used it for the past 4 nights, and the results have been remarkable. For the first 2 nights, she slept for 7-8 hours straight, and for the last 2 nights, she slept for a whopping 10 hours (!!) before waking up for a bottle. It's been incredible, and it has truly been my salvation. I should have bought it several months ago. I can't recommend a weighted bag enough!
Our girl had colic for the first 2 months, and all her sleep was on us parents... 🤯 We couldn't get her to sleep on her own under any circumstances. The first few nights with the weighted swaddle were a bit challenging as it didn't wrap as tightly as she was used to. But then, something miraculous happened! We woke up one morning and were utterly amazed because she had slept for 11 hours straight. Initially, we thought it might be a one-time occurrence, but to our delight, she has been doing the same thing every night since! 🤩 It's been a month now, and we use the weighted swaddle every time she needs to sleep, whether it's in the sling, the stroller, or the crib. We're even considering getting an extra one because we can't do without it when it's being washed. 😅🙈 The weighted swaddle has truly been invaluable to us, and we wholeheartedly recommend it!
Highly recommended if you have a child who refuses to sleep. My daughter, who was then 5 months old, simply wouldn't sleep. But once she got the weighted sleeping swaddle, she started sleeping right away. I could even stop using the stroller, and she would continue sleeping.
She went from only sleeping for 20 minutes while being held to using the weighted sleeping swaddle, and on the first day, she slept for 40 minutes in her stroller. The naps only got longer from there. Now, she's a happy and well-rested child! 🤩😍
We purchased a weighted bag for our 13-month-old daughter, who hasn't had significant sleep issues. She used to wake up 3 times at night for breastfeeding. After using the weighted bag for 14 days, we've seen a noticeable improvement. She has at least halved the number of awakenings where she needs assistance to fall back asleep 🤪.
We also immediately noticed a slower respiratory rate, with deeper breaths.
We're very pleased with the customer service and the fast delivery to Norway.
Our baby becomes noticeably calmer as soon as we put on the sleeping bag.
I was recommended one for babies aged 8 months and older, with a minimum weight of 10 kg. However, it turned out to be too big for our child, so I am selling mine to buy a smaller one.
It does No magic, but it helped my Little one to sleep deeper and is a Great help. Still our Baby wakes up several times a night but now it finds into sleep faster and easier.
Our son has been using the weighted bag with great success (!) since he was 13 months old. We regret not investing in one earlier because we've always had challenges with his sleep. When he turned 18-19 months, he had outgrown the first one, and we considered whether we should buy the next size called "Weighted Sleep Suit" I was skeptical because it leaves the feet free, and I was worried it might cause restlessness at bedtime. We called your company and received excellent and helpful guidance, which made us confident in purchasing the larger size.
Now, we've been using it for a few months, and it continues to work wonders for our son's sleep. We are still very satisfied customers! In the first few nights with the larger size, he seemed a bit more restless in his legs and feet than we were used to, so we used socks, which helped. But now, socks are no longer necessary, and he absolutely loves his suit.
It's a brilliant product that has greatly improved both our son's ability to fall asleep and his sleep quality. Even during the awakenings he used to struggle with when we first started using it around 13 months, we noticed that the suit seemed to calm him down as soon as we put him in it. He became more relaxed and settled.
I highly recommend the weighted bag or "Weighted Sleep Suit" to families with young children experiencing sleep difficulties. It's such a simple way to improve sleep! Thank you for your consistently excellent service
Milas is a sensitive baby and has always had a hard time falling asleep without being held, rocked, or close to me. It used to take between 1-2 hours to get him to sleep. He just didn't want to settle down, and his arms and legs would swing around. We couldn't believe it was true on the first night when we tried the weighted bag. His body became completely calm, and he fell asleep without any assistance within 10 minutes. It's been like that ever since. We are immensely grateful and highly recommend it to everyone. We've regained our evenings and have so much more peace. A fantastic invention!