Wake-ups Due to Hunger or Habit?
Parenthood, while full of joy, can become a tiresome journey when your baby's night wakings become a regular challenge. Distinguishing between hunger and habit at 2 am can be a puzzle. I’m here to delve into the delicate balance between these two factors and equip you with essential tips. If you’re looking for more 1:1. support, check out my services here!
Understanding Baby Sleep Cycles
To tackle the mystery of night wakings, understanding baby sleep cycles is crucial. Newborns initially have two sleep cycles, but around 3-4 months, they add two more, maturing their cycle to be more like adults. Waking between these cycles is normal. The key to uninterrupted sleep lies in their ability to fall back asleep independently.
Is Your Baby Waking Out of Hunger or Habit?
If your baby can independently fall asleep but wakes up crying during the night, they need something. Distinguishing between comfort feeding and genuine hunger is challenging. Hunger involves a full feeding, while comfort feeding is more about the soothing act than hunger. If your baby relies on nursing or feeding to sleep, it might be habit-driven.
Following EAT-PLAY-SLEEP can also help you to know if your baby is hungry upon waking. This schedule encourages full feedings. If your baby does not follow this routine, they often take smaller and more frequent feeds making it difficult to differentiate if they are getting proper caloric intake during the day.
Hunger-Related Wake-ups
For babies under 4-6 months or those that are underweight, night feedings might still be necessary. Most babies naturally drop night feeds when they're ready. If your baby wakes every 1-2 hours after a 5+ hour sleep stretch, it's likely not hunger-related.
Habit-Related Wake-ups
Babies quickly adapt to sleep associations. If your baby relies on feeding, rocking, holding to fall asleep, or replacement of the pacifier, they might need these associations when waking at night. While these strategies may work temporarily, they can lead to lasting habits. Here are signs your baby is waking out of habit:
Waking frequently throughout the night.
Falling asleep quickly upon offering a feed without taking a full feed.
Difficulty falling back asleep after a feed.
Waking at the same time every night, regardless of the day's events.
Baby shows disinterest in feeding but calms when latched to bottle or breast.
Tips to Reduce Night Wake-ups
Ensure an Early Bedtime: Aim for an early bedtime to prevent over-tiredness, ensuring your child gets enough restorative sleep. Don’t be afraid to push it up at early as 6:30pm if needed.
Prioritize Regular Naps: Emphasize the importance of consistent napping to prevent exhaustion and maintain overall sleep quality.
Pay Attention to Wake Windows: Observe your child's wake windows to discern cues for tiredness or hunger, helping you respond appropriately.
Establish a Consistent Bedtime and Nap Routine: Set a consistent bedtime and nap routine to create a predictable sleep environment, promoting better sleep habits.
Create a Calm Pre-Bedtime Environment: Foster a soothing atmosphere leading up to bedtime by dimming lights, engaging in calming activities, and minimizing stimulating stimuli.
Monitor Room Temperature: Ensure the sleep environment is comfortable by maintaining an appropriate room temperature, preventing disruptions due to extremes.
Implement Gradual Changes: Make adjustments gradually if needed, avoiding sudden changes that may lead to resistance and disrupt sleep patterns.
Need More Support?
Deciphering whether your baby's night wakings are due to hunger or habit is crucial for their well-being and your own sanity! If multiple night wake-ups and feedings are the norm, I offer personalized 1:1 sleep coaching. I’d love to help give you the confidence to know if your night wakings are due to hunger or habit! Let's get your little one’s sleep back on track! Of course, if you ever need extra support or have questions, feel free to drop me a message or schedule a discovery call with me!
Follow @bedtime.wishes on Instagram if you’re ready to learn how you and your little one can get the sleep you both deserve!
By: Dr. Laura Daniels PT, DPT, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant
