Why Is Your Baby Not Sleeping? The Top 7 Reasons

3 min readUpdated November 16, 2025

MD, FAAP

When your baby is not sleeping well, it can be overwhelming, especially when you're running on empty. Whether your newborn won’t go to sleep, is waking frequently, or you’re wondering “Why is my 6-month-old not sleeping?” understanding what’s behind the sleepless nights can help you respond with confidence.

In this guide, we cover:

How to recognize signs of sleeplessness in infants, like fussiness, restlessness, and overtired behavior.
Why your baby won’t sleep—common causes include hunger, overstimulation, teething, growth spurts, or medical issues like reflux or colic.
What to do when your newborn is restless or won’t settle, including soothing techniques, bedtime routines, and sleep-friendly environments.

Learn what’s normal, when to seek support, and how to help your baby sleep better at every stage.

Recognizing Signs of Sleepiness

It can sometimes be tricky to tell when your baby is tired, especially for new parents. Babies don’t always yawn or rub their eyes like adults. In fact, some signs of sleeplessness in infants might look like the opposite—your baby might become more active or fussy instead.

Common signs of tiredness include:

Fussiness or crying without a clear reason
Clenched fists, jerky movements
Rubbing eyes or pulling ears
Yawning or becoming quiet.

Restless newborn sleep is also normal. If your newborn is restless—twitching, grunting, or seeming to wake often—remember that babies spend a lot of time in active (REM) sleep, which looks different from adult deep sleep. This kind of newborn sleep is restless but not necessarily uncomfortable. They may simply be transitioning between sleep cycles. You can learn more about newborn sleep patterns in our dedicated article.

7 Reasons Why Your Baby Won’t Sleep

Are you wondering, “Why won’t my baby sleep?” If your baby won’t sleep, there are many possible reasons. Newborns have tiny tummies and need frequent feedings, so it’s completely normal for them to wake often during the night. But if your newborn won’t go to sleep at all, or if you're asking, “Why is my 5-month-old not sleeping?” or “Why is my 9-month-old not sleeping?” it may be helpful to explore both developmental and medical possibilities.

Here are the top 7 reasons why your newborn or older baby won’t sleep:

Hunger. Newborns need to eat every 2–3 hours, and growth spurts at 6 weeks, 3 months, or 6 months can increase hunger and disrupt sleep.
Day/night confusion. Many newborns have their days and nights mixed up. They may sleep more during the day and stay awake at night because their circadian rhythms aren't fully developed yet. Many babies will start developing a rhythm and learning the difference between day and night by around 3 to 4 months.
Overtiredness. Babies who stay awake too long can become overstimulated, making it harder for them to fall asleep.
Sleep regressions. Around 4 months, 6 months, and 9 months, babies often go through developmental leaps that temporarily disrupt sleep.
Separation anxiety. Around 6 to 9 months, babies may become anxious when they’re away from their caregiver, leading to sleep resistance or night waking.
Teething. Discomfort from teething, common around 4 to 7 months, can interfere with restful sleep.
Illness or discomfort. Reflux, colic, allergies, or infections like earaches can cause a newborn that won’t sleep to become fussy or wake frequently.

If your baby doesn’t want to sleep despite a calming bedtime routine, or if you’re concerned that your newborn isn’t sleeping enough, it’s always a good idea to speak with your pediatrician. They can help rule out any medical reasons your baby won’t sleep at night.

Check out our chart below for a general idea of why your baby might not be sleeping at different stages.

Helping Your Baby Sleep

If you’re wondering how to get a newborn to sleep—or how to help an infant sleep longer stretches—it starts with understanding their needs and establishing gentle routines. While sleep training isn’t typically recommended for babies under 4 to 6 months, you can still encourage healthy sleep habits from the start.

Tips for helping your baby sleep better:

Follow a consistent bedtime routine. A warm bath, gentle massage, soft lullabies, or dimming the lights can signal that it’s time to wind down. It’s recommended to stick to a consistent and early bedtime for babies and children.
Watch for sleepy cues. Try to put your baby down when they’re drowsy but still awake to help them learn to fall asleep on their own.
Swaddle safely (for newborns). Many newborns sleep better when swaddled because it mimics the snug feeling of the womb. Stop swaddling when they begin to roll over.
Create a safe and sleep-friendly space. Use a firm mattress with no loose bedding or toys. Keep the room dim and quiet, or use white noise if it helps.
Try motion or soothing sounds. Rocking, gentle bouncing, or using a white noise machine can help calm a restless baby.
Keep nighttime interactions calm. For night feedings or diaper changes, keep the lights low and avoid stimulation so your baby doesn’t fully wake up. Speaking of diaper changes, when it comes to a peaceful night's sleep, comfort and dryness are key. Pampers Swaddlers Overnights are specially designed to keep your little one dry for up to 12 hours, helping prevent overnight leaks and midnight wakeups. With a soft, gentle feel and a snug, secure fit, Swaddlers Overnights help support uninterrupted sleep while protecting your baby’s delicate skin. Sleep more soundly knowing your baby is wrapped in trusted overnight protection.

If you’re still asking yourself, “How do I get a newborn to sleep?” remember: newborn sleep is not linear, and it’s normal for it to take time to establish patterns. Patience and consistency can go a long way.

FAQS AT A GLANCE

Start by creating a calming bedtime routine, watching for sleepy cues, and putting your baby down drowsy but awake. Keep the sleep environment quiet, dark, and safe. If your baby is a newborn, expect frequent waking for feeding—it’s normal. For older babies, consistent routines and avoiding overtiredness help. If sleep problems persist or your baby seems unwell, speak with your healthcare provider to rule out medical reasons why your baby won’t sleep at night.

Remember, patience, consistency, and a calming bedtime routine can go a long way in helping your baby if they’re not sleeping.

If you’re ever concerned about how much your baby is sleeping—or not sleeping—trust your instincts and reach out to your child’s healthcare provider. Every baby is different, and what’s “normal” can vary widely.

While you’re here, reward your parenting efforts by downloading the Pampers Rewards app. You can earn rewards and discounts on all your Pampers purchases.

American Academy of Pediatrics. Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, 7th ed. (New York: Bantam Books, 2019).
Mayo Clinic. Guide to Your Baby’s First Years, 2nd ed. (Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic Press, 2020).
Cleveland Clinic. “Babies and Bedtime with Dr. Heidi Szugye.”
Healthy Children. “Getting Your Baby to Sleep.”
Healthy Children. “How to Ease Your Child’s Separation Anxiety.”
Healthy Children. “Sleeping Through the Night.”
Healthy Children. “Stages of Newborn Sleep.”
Kids Health. “Sleep and Your Newborn.”
Kids Health. “Sleep and Your 1- to 3-Month-Old.”
Mayo Clinic. “Helping Your Baby Sleep Through the Night.”
Zero to Three. “Sleep Challenges: Why It Happens, What to Do.”

The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.

About Christopher B. Peltier

Pediatrician at Pediatric Associates of Mount Carmel, Inc.; Cincinnati, OH