As I write this, I have a 10-month-old baby who is napping in her cot. She can be a bit of a pickle when it comes to napping during the day. She’s a beautiful sleeper overnight but during the day, she can be very hit-and-miss on whether she has a good nap or not. So if you are pondering the question, why do babies fight sleep, here are my thoughts from all the research I have sifted through and all the reading I have done.
Why Do Babies Fight Sleep? Help Baby Stop Fighting!
Why is it that the people who want to sleep can’t, because the people who should be sleeping won’t? Babies and sleep can be a tricky affair. If you are reading this, chances are you have a baby fighting sleep. You are not alone. I’ve pulled together some of the possible reasons why babies fight sleep. Let’s kick-off.
Hunger
This is one of the most common reasons in younger babies. They may struggle to go off to sleep if they feel hungry and if they do, they may wake soon after nodding off. It’s in a baby’s nature to wake regularly for food. A baby’s tummy is very small, particularly in the first few months and they need to eat regularly. You’ll find your baby will drift off more easily if they have a full tummy.
Overstimulation
This is particularly common with babies. They look all sleepy and ready to go to bed and suddenly they are awake again. This is usually caused by overstimulation in their environment. Do they perhaps have a flurry of activity around them before bedtime or is their bedtime routine calm and helping them to wind down? Take a look at what you are doing leading up to bedtime or naptime. Could you be doing softer, gentler activities in darker rooms which leads them down the path to drifting off into a quiet sleep? The last thing you want at bedtime is an overstimulated baby. The good news is that this issue is an easy one to fix and will stand you and your baby in good stead for good sleep habits for years to come.
Separation Anxiety
This is very common for babies who are around 6 months or older. They start to get very aware of where Mum and Dad are and this is particularly problematic for nap times. This can be exacerbated by the fact that they have moved into their own rooms and are no longer sleeping in the same space as their parents. It’s a tricky one to deal with and it may mean you have to look into strategies on how you can remove the reliance on you being there for them to fall asleep. Smaller babies are less aware of separation anxiety but still can struggle to fall asleep if they aren’t being cuddled by Mum or Dad, but this is a different scenario altogether.
Overtired
Sometimes you hear of parents waiting until their little ones are shattered before putting them up to bed. This can be the cause of poor sleep as much as putting them up when they are undertired. An overtired baby may fall off to sleep quickly but then may wake during the night as they find it hard to re-settle. Sometimes they also nap for a short period and then get their second wind, so to speak, which results in poor and short naps that don’t refresh them.
Teething
Your little one will start getting teeth from just a few months old and this will continue right until they are two or three years old. When a tooth pops through it can be incredibly painful for your baby. Their gums may be quite sore. Some babies suffer from a temperature spike, nappy rash and other symptoms. A teething baby can be hard to settle and may not want to nap. Teething is normally at its peak right before the tooth cuts through the gum. You’ll notice your baby chomping down on everything, dribbling and putting their hand or fingers in their mouths. You may find they get a runny nose as well. Teething can unintentionally cause babies to fight sleep.
Dirty Nappy
You’ve fed and changed your baby. They are snuggled up in their sleeping bag, yet they refuse to go to sleep. You creep in and realise that the fresh nappy isn’t smelling so fresh any more. Babies will often poo either when they are being fed, just after a feed or when settling down for a nap. Unless your baby is really tired, they will be fussy with a dirty nappy and won’t sleep. If they are having trouble dropping off, the best way is to have a look (or a sniff) to check they have a clean nappy. After all, it’s not very pleasant for them to sleep in a dirty nappy and you’ll want to be sure to change them to avoid any soreness on their beautiful bottoms.
Developmental Leaps
As your baby goes through the early months of their lives, they will have lots of developmental leaps where they learn new skills and may hit a new milestone. This can often lead to babies resisting sleep. You may hear them babbling new words or staring at their own hands. They may roll around in their cots and even need an extra cuddle or two. These new skills can affect naps and bedtimes as they can either be fascinating or a little overwhelming for baby – perhaps even both at times.
As a parent, you always want your baby to be well-rested, but the important thing to remember is that everything is a phase. As long as you give your baby time to learn how to sleep well and support them, you’ll be giving them the best start.
Sleep Regressions – Why Do Babies Fight Sleep
There is a lot documented about sleep regression and the various points that it affects babies. So I’ve pulled together what is known about the various sleep regressions that your baby may go through.
Around the 4-Month Mark: The Notorious Four-Month Sleep Regression
As newborn babies reach the four-month milestone, you might find yourself amidst the infamous four-month sleep regression. At this stage, your little one undergoes a transformation in their sleep patterns due to a significant neurological shift. The transition from the newborn sleep cycle to more adult-like sleep cycles can lead to shorter naps, frequent night awakenings, and a sleep routine that seems to have taken a bewildering turn.
8 to 10 Months: Developmental Leaps and Separation Anxiety
Between 8 to 10 months of age, many babies experience sleep regression linked to developmental leaps. As they acquire new skills like crawling and standing, their busy minds can interfere with their peaceful slumber. Additionally, separation anxiety might come into play during this phase. Babies become acutely aware of their surroundings and fear being away from their caregivers, causing night awakenings and difficulties settling down to sleep.
Around the First Year: Teething and Disrupted Sleep Patterns
The onset of teething around the one-year mark can lead to sleep disturbances. The discomfort caused by emerging teeth can disrupt your baby’s sleep, causing fussiness and wakeful nights. Babies may also experience shifts in their sleep patterns as they begin to consolidate their sleep cycles.
18 Months: Nap Resistance and Independence
Around 18 months, as your baby transitions from infancy to toddlerhood, older babies may develop a newfound sense of independence. This desire for autonomy can manifest in nap resistance, bedtime battles, and increased wakefulness during the night. Your older baby will be eager to explore the world around them might take precedence over sleep during this phase.
2 Years: Imagination and Nighttime Fears
As your child’s imagination blooms, so do their nighttime fears. Around the age of two, nightmares and night terrors might disrupt sleep, leading to bedtime resistance and an increased need for your comforting presence. Your toddler’s growing sense of imagination can sometimes make the bedroom a realm of adventure and unease.
How to Navigate Sleep Regression: Strategies and Solutions
While sleep regression can be tough on both babies and parents, there are effective strategies to help navigate through this phase:
Consistency is Key: Stick to a consistent nap routine and bedtime sleep schedule. This provides a sense of security for your baby during times of change.
Create a Soothing Bedtime Routine: Establish a calming pre-sleep routine that signals it’s time for sleep time. This might involve a warm bath, gentle massage and a bedtime story.
Optimise Their Sleep Environment: Use tools like a white noise machine and blackout curtains to create a conducive sleep environment that minimises disruptions. A dark room is always better for a sleeping baby.
Monitor Wake Windows: Pay attention to your baby’s wake window —the optimal time they should be awake before needing to nap again. Avoid overtiredness, which can exacerbate sleep regression. Be led by your baby’s sleep cues, which will change as they grow older. Yawning, eye rubbing, looking distant and unfocused, sitting very still are all sleepy cues for babies.
Respond with Patience: If your baby fights sleep, offer reassurance and comfort without forming new sleep associations. Gradually encourage independent sleep without creating dependencies.
Prioritise Sleep: Implement good sleep practices, such as ensuring the room is dark, at an appropriate room temperature, and free from distractions and too much noise. Putting sleep as a priority will be the first step towards ensuring that your young baby is a good sleeper as he or she grows up.
Consult Experts: If sleep regression persists or if you’re concerned about your baby’s sleep, consult your doctor, your health visitor or you can even enslist the help of a qualified sleep consultant.
Sleep regression is a common phase in a baby’s development, often caused by factors such as developmental leaps, teething, separation anxiety, and new milestones. Understanding the most common times when babies experience sleep regression can help parents approach this phase with empathy and effective strategies. Remember, this too shall pass. With patience, consistency, and the right approach, both you and your baby can navigate the storm of sleep regression and emerge with healthier sleep habits and a happier family.
You might also be wondering why do babies jump in their sleep? or why do babies smile in their sleep? My posts can uncover these mysteries. As a new parent, you might also wonder when can babies sleep in their own room? or perhaps are babies natural swimmers? I have the low down on both.
Sleep is such an important factor in a baby’s development that it is important to help them to set good habits that will last them a lifetime. If you are concerned about your baby’s sleep, you should speak to your health visitor or doctor. Always remember that there’s no set path for babies and their sleep, but you are the parent, so trust your instincts. I hope these tips have helped in answering the question around ‘why do babies fight sleep?’
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