Reasons for Unusual Night Wakings in Baby

Is your baby waking up during the night all of a sudden when previously able to sleep through? There are several reasons for this including a growth spurt, teething, and changes in baby’s schedule.

Growth Spurt

One reason that your baby may wake during the night when previously able to sleep through can be due to a growth spurt. When babies go through a growth spurt, their caloric intake needs increase, and they may wake early from naps or during the night hungry and ready to eat.

If baby is waking due to a growth spurt, your baby may eat well and go back to sleep. A few nights of this and baby may learn once again to sleep through, or you may need to consider adding solid foods or increasing the amount of food baby gets during the day.

Teeth Coming in or Other Illness

Teething can also cause baby to wake during the night. Every baby reacts differently to teeth coming in, but in general all babies experience some discomfort. This discomfort is what may wake baby, and cause unusual fussiness during the night.

Any other illness may cause baby to wake as well. The discomfort babies feel, whether from their teeth, a diaper rash or other illness will cause them to wake and want the comfort that mom or dad can bring. Depending on the reason for waking, comforting baby , perhaps giving baby Tylenol, or a clean diaper and new coating of diaper rash cream may help baby go back to sleep.

Change in Schedule

Did you have a recent change in your schedule? Did you have out-of-town company or a lot of unusual activity? Are you traveling or visiting a relative or friend? Some babies are more sensitive than others to changes, and may wake up during the night as a result.

Learning a New Skill

Another reason baby may wake during naptime and at night could be that he is learning a new skill and is waking up to practice. This waking may happen before or after a new skill is learned, and should be temporary. Once the skill is mastered, baby should go back to a more normal sleep pattern.

When attempting to problem solve your baby’s unusual night wakings, think through any changes that baby may be going through to decide what may be causing the problem. There may something that you can do to help, such as an additional feeding, or a small amount of baby Tylenol at bedtime. Regardless of what is causing the unusual wakings, take heart that it is temporary.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to give medical advice. Before giving your baby any medication, please be sure to check with your doctor.

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