Newborn waking every hour? You’re not alone-and you’re not doing anything wrong.
It’s one of the most common concerns new parents face: the feeling that just as their baby drifts off, they’re awake again. Whether your baby is waking up every hour through the night or you're wondering why your newborn wakes up every hour even during naps, disrupted sleep can take a toll on the whole family.
Here’s what’s going on, what’s normal, and what you can do to support more restful nights for everyone.
Is It Normal for My Newborn to Wake Up Every Hour?
Yes. In the first few months, frequent waking is developmentally normal. A newborn waking up every hour often relates to basic needs- feeding, comfort, or simply adjusting to life outside the womb. Unlike adults, babies have shorter sleep cycles and spend more time in lighter stages of sleep, making them more prone to waking up.
Some common reasons for infant sleep disruptions include:
- Hunger: Especially in the early weeks, babies need frequent feeds-day and night.
- Immature sleep cycles: Babies don’t begin to consolidate sleep until closer to 4-6 months.
- Startle reflex: The Moro reflex can cause babies to wake themselves with sudden movements.
- Sleep associations: Needing to be rocked, fed, or held to fall asleep may cause waking if that association isn’t present.
Why Does My Baby Wake Up Every Hour at 5 Months?
If your 5 month old is waking up every hour, you might be hitting a sleep regression. Around this age, babies experience major brain development and begin cycling through sleep stages more like adults-which means more chances to wake up between cycles. This stage can feel especially frustrating because it often follows a period of relatively longer sleep stretches.
Additional factors might include:
- Teething discomfort
- Growth spurts
- Rolling or mobility changes
- Separation anxiety starting to emerge
Why Is My Newborn Waking Up Every Hour Even After a Feed?
It’s natural to wonder, "Why is my newborn waking up every hour when they’ve just been fed?" Remember, newborns wake for more than just hunger. They might be cold, overstimulated, or uncomfortable from wind or reflux. They may also be seeking comfort and closeness, especially in the fourth trimester when the transition from womb to world is still fresh.
Tips for Supporting Better Infant Sleep
While there’s no magic fix, there are gentle, supportive strategies to help your baby feel more settled:
- Create a calming bedtime routine: A warm bath, soft towel, story time, and cuddles can help signal that sleep is near.
- Use white noise: Mimics womb sounds and helps buffer environmental disruptions.
- Introduce a consistent sleep cue: A soothing baby sleep toy can help your little one feel secure and associate it with settling.
- Practice safe swaddling (for babies who are not yet rolling): When done correctly, it can help reduce the startle reflex and promote longer stretches of sleep.
- Be patient with regressions: They’re tough, but temporary.
When to Introduce a Sleep Toy
While it’s not safe to place soft toys in the cot with a baby under seven months, you can begin bonding with a comforter early by including it in your daily routine. Let your baby cuddle with a soothing toy during feeds, story time, or supervised play - just skip soft toys in the car seat for safety . Over time, this builds a positive sleep association that can support independent settling when age-appropriate.
Moving Through Sleep Challenges with Confidence
If your infant wakes up every hour, you're not alone, and you’re not failing. This phase is exhausting, but it’s part of the complex, beautiful journey of helping your baby adjust to life outside the womb. Some nights will feel never-ending, but with time, consistency, and gentle routines, restful sleep becomes more achievable.
For more support on navigating early sleep challenges, explore our collection of soothing Sleep Comforters designed to help little ones feel calm, secure, and ready to drift off peacefully.