Sleep Concern

My baby won't sleep

Frequent night waking and short naps in the first year.

Overview

Infant sleep is naturally fragmented — a newborn's stomach is small, their circadian rhythm is undeveloped, and their sleep cycles are short. But that doesn't make the exhaustion any less real for parents living it. The question is rarely whether the waking is 'normal,' but how to build gentle, sustainable rhythms that help the whole family move toward more consolidated sleep without distress.

Common Causes

Developmental immaturity — infant sleep cycles are short and naturally fragmented.
Hunger and growth — feeds are a legitimate overnight need in the early months.
Sleep associations (rocking, feeding, holding) that the baby needs to re-enter sleep after each cycle.
Day-night confusion in the early weeks.
Reflux, discomfort, or developmental leaps that temporarily disrupt sleep.

What You May Be Experiencing

Waking every 1–3 hours through the night, well beyond the newborn period.
Short, inconsistent naps, or fighting sleep during the day.
Needing a specific association (feeding, rocking, pacifier) to fall asleep at every waking.
Day-night confusion or long awake stretches at night.
Exhaustion in the parents that is affecting mood, safety, or bonding.

Dr. Morse's Approach

Dr. Morse approaches infant sleep with respect for both the baby's biology and the family's well-being. She does not believe in one-size-fits-all 'sleep training' — nor in suffering through exhaustion. Her approach helps parents build a consistent rhythm, introduce gentle sleep associations the baby can recreate independently, and make incremental changes that reduce night waking without distress. She is attentive to parental mental health, because a rested parent is part of the plan.

Treatment Options

Behavioral

Gentle, gradual sleep-shaping: consistent routines, drowsy-but-awake placement, and fading of sleep associations over time.

Lifestyle

Clear day-night cues with light and feeding, an age-appropriate nap schedule, and a safe sleep environment.

Medical

Evaluation for reflux, allergy, or other medical causes when waking is excessive or accompanied by distress.

Your Night-time Routine

A practical, step-by-step wind-down built around this concern's specific drivers. Follow it consistently for two to three weeks — rhythm, not perfection, is what resets sleep.

1
5:30 PM
Begin a calm, predictable wind-down — dim lights, low stimulation, a bath or massage.
2
6:00 PM
Final feed in a calm setting, then a brief story or lullaby to mark the transition.
3
6:30 PM
Place the baby down drowsy but awake when possible, so they practice self-settling.
4
Overnight
Keep feeds and changes low-stimulation: dim light, no play, quiet voice — night is for sleep.
5
Morning
Open the curtains and expose the baby to daylight to anchor the day-night rhythm.

Take this guide home

A printable PDF of this concern's full overview, routine, and treatment options.

Articles on this concern are being written. Check back soon, or browse the full Sleep Laboratory.

When to Seek Help

Seek support if night waking is excessive beyond 6 months, if the baby seems in pain or distress, if feeding or growth is a concern, or if parental exhaustion is affecting mental health or safety. There is no medal for suffering alone — help is available.

Ready for personalized guidance?

Dr. Morse offers one-on-one and group coaching to help you move from understanding your sleep concern to changing it. Share what you're experiencing and she'll be in touch.

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