If you’re running on three hours of sleep, cold coffee, and prayers—mama, you are not alone. Baby sleep can feel like one big mystery wrapped in a lullaby that never works. The good news? You can crack the code. Let’s talk through the 7 most common baby sleep issues—and how to solve them with real, mom-tested tips.
1. Baby Won’t Fall Asleep Without Being Held
This is super common in the early weeks. Your baby just spent 9 months cuddled up inside you—of course they crave that closeness!
Solution: Try a gradual transition to independent sleep. Start by placing your baby down drowsy but awake. Use a swaddle, pacifier, or gentle shushing sounds to soothe them. Consistency is key.
2. Frequent Night Wakings
Waking every hour through the night? It’s beyond exhausting—and it can leave you feeling like a zombie by morning.
Solution: Check if your baby is waking out of habit or hunger. If they’ve had a full feed, you can try a gentle sleep training method like “pick up/put down” to help them learn to settle on their own.
3. Short Naps
Short naps can leave your baby overtired and cranky—and let’s be honest, they don’t do you any favors either. A grumpy baby often means a grumpy mama, too.
Solution: Watch for wake windows. An overtired or under-tired baby won’t nap well. Adjust nap times to match your baby’s natural sleep rhythms and create a calming pre-nap routine.
4. Fighting Sleep at Bedtime
Is bedtime turning into a nightly battle filled with tears, protests, and endless rocking? You’re not alone—many parents face this struggle, but there are gentle ways to make bedtime more peaceful.
Solution: Create a relaxing bedtime routine (bath, book, lullaby) and stick to it. A consistent routine signals your baby that sleep is coming and helps them wind down more easily.
5. Baby Only Sleeps on You
Your arms need a break too, mama. As much as you love those snuggles, constantly holding your baby to sleep can be exhausting. 
Solution: Use a wearable sleep sack or try placing a warm (not hot) rice pack on the crib mattress for a few minutes before putting baby down—then remove it and lay baby down gently. This mimics your body warmth.
6. Sleep Regressions
Just when things were finally starting to settle—bam, a sleep regression hits out of nowhere! One day your baby’s napping like a pro, and the next they’re waking up every hour again. It’s frustrating, but totally normal.
Solution: These phases are temporary and usually tied to developmental leaps. Offer extra comfort, stick to your routine, and stay patient. You’ve got this.
7. Teething Disruptions
Those tiny teeth can cause surprisingly big problems—disrupting sleep, causing fussiness, and leaving your baby (and you) feeling out of sorts. Teething is tough, but with a little extra care, you’ll both get through it.
Solution: Use natural remedies like a chilled teether or talk to your pediatrician about pain relief if needed. Extra cuddles during this phase help too.
Sleep Can Get Better—One Nap at a Time
Every baby is different, and what works for one may not work for another. But with a little patience and some tried-and-true strategies, better sleep is totally possible. And remember—you’re doing an amazing job, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
🎁 Grab Your Freebie!
Need a little help keeping track of baby’s sleep patterns? I’ve got you! Download this FREE Baby Sleep Tracker Printable to help you spot patterns, troubleshoot sleep issues, and bring a little more peace to bedtime.
https://momsinmotion.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Breastfeeding-Problems-How-to-Solve-Them.pdf
Leave a Reply