Why does baby fight sleep? It is common for many parents to wonder why their baby fights sleep. And while every child is different, some reasons can be evident early on in a child’s life.
Some babies may not get the appropriate amount of sleep during the day and night because they suddenly discover new things in their surroundings: people, animals, noises, and bright lights.
This can lead to cranky temperaments at night as they desperately need to await more sleep.
Other babies may be fighting sleep because of discomforts in their bed, such as too many blankets or an uncomfortable mattress.
They also may have experienced a recent change in sleeping locations from one room to another or from the crib to the parents’ bed.
Why does baby fight sleep? Best 7 Reasons
1. Overtired
If your baby is overtired, you should ensure that they aren’t sleeping for excessively long periods during the day.
Overtired babies are often irritable, and these excessive bouts of crying often turn into long bouts at bedtime due to their inability to relax from a busy and active day.
2. Separation anxiety
If your baby is revealed to be very sensitive to separation, this could be a sign of an anxious disposition.
This can be true for newborns and infants, as they cannot yet understand what has happened when separated from their mothers.
3. Exposure to loud noises
A baby’s hearing can start developing at birth, and they must be exposed to loud noises that are not the normal sounds of their environment. A baby will develop a tolerance for them to be able to hear things around them.
However, babies may still become very anxious when something unexpected sounds very loud or just different than what they are used to.
4. Illness
Babies that are too ill to play or interact with others may become cranky and want to sleep. This is a way for them to recharge their batteries and gain the strength to fight off the illness.
5. Change in routine
If you have recently changed your baby’s sleeping schedule, they will be fighting sleep and may experience crying spells until they adjust. When babies have certain expectations, it can be not easy to let go of their sense of stability.
6. Overstimulated
Many things can overstimulate babies. Bright lights, loud noises, loud voices, and sudden events greatly affect a child’s sleep.
If you have recently brought in a new baby sibling or changed the arrangements of your household, it is also important to let them adjust and make sure they are not overstimulated.
7. Feeling unsafe
Some babies may be feeling quite uneasy in their environment. They may feel unsafe and prefer to crawl under blankets or behind closed doors to keep safe indoors.
This is even more common among babies who have recently changed their sleeping environment.
What causes babies to fight sleep?
A newborn baby may be fighting sleep because of the profound changes his body has been experiencing during the past nine months, and all of a sudden, he is expected to take on a new routine.
Babies can also fight sleep due to fear if they are still learning about their environment and are not comfortable with it.
As you can see, there can be many reasons why your child is fighting sleep. It is important to understand why your baby is fighting sleep and help him adjust to his new routines as efficiently as possible.
A baby’s crying may be due to a variety of reasons, so you must understand what these may be to assist your child in getting the most out of his night’s rest.
What can you do when your baby fights sleep?
Here are some suggestions to help your baby get back on track with his nightly routine.
1. Baby’s environment
If your baby is fighting sleep because of an uncomfortable mattress, try putting him on a higher mattress. If he is too hot, then increase the temperature in his room. If he is too cold, add more blankets or a warmer blanket.
If he is too dry and likes to swing when sitting or lying down, add more water to the diaper pail. This will help him learn to settle back down into a comfortable position and sleep soundly through the night
2. Soothe baby
As your baby becomes more irritated, he will start to fight sleep. This may be the time to develop a soothing plan that works for you and your family.
Reading a favorite book is an excellent way to soothe a newborn in his crib or rocking chair, or changing the musical softness of the room can also be very helpful in helping him relax and get back on track with his sleep schedule.
3. New things
If your baby was recently taken to the doctor, explain to your doctor that your baby is still adjusting and may become cranky.
When a new baby comes into your home, they can be irritable and may not want to change their diapers or even their pacifiers.
Be sure to not rush them into it, but rather let them adjust on their own so that they are not fighting sleep.
4. Overwhelmed by changes
If your baby is fighting sleep because of recent changes, be sure to let them rest and get back on schedule before trying to push them too hard.
Even if they are cranky, it is important to get them back on schedule so that they can adjust.
5. Baby over-tired
If your baby is overtired, be sure that they get enough rest throughout the day. Please keep him in a comfortable position for naps and playtime, and be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions for formula amounts.
A baby will not fight sleep if he gets enough sleep, so be sure to pick your battles.
How to Get Your Baby to Stop Fighting Sleep?
The key to getting your baby back on track and fighting sleep is to change their routine as little as possible.
You must let the baby adjust to a new routine and even have some crying spells during this adjustment period. This will also allow him time to get stronger again.
Here are the best 6 ways to Get Your Baby to Stop Fighting Sleep:
1. Reduce stimulation
It is important to reduce the amount of stimulation your baby is exposed to, especially when he is just learning about the world around him.
If you are new to your baby’s environment, try reading out loud or playing music softly for him to focus on something other than his surroundings.
2. It can be soothing to snuggle
It is calming for a baby to cuddle up with you and feel safe. Be sure to cuddle your baby as much as possible, even if he is crying. By doing this, he will feel more secure and be able to stop fighting sleep.
3. Practice separating from others
The more comfortable you can make your baby by being by himself, the easier he will fight sleep. Try to give your baby more time alone in his bassinet and calm him down without picking him up.
This will help him get used to fighting sleep in his environment and doing so without any external help.
4. It is important to trust the process
When trying to quiet your baby and get him fighting sleep, it is natural for parents to feel frustrated. However, it is important to trust the process.
It takes time for a baby to get used to his new environment, and you will be able to notice the improvements in the long run. Be sure to set realistic expectations of your baby’s behavior when fighting sleep.
5. Practice patience
It can take weeks or even months for a baby to get into his routine and start fighting sleep independently. Be sure not to panic or try changing your baby’s environment drastically.
6. It is important to raise your expectations
If your baby is fighting sleep, raise your expectations a little. One of the most common reasons for a baby to fight sleep is because he misses the comfort of being in his mother’s arms. Try waiting rather than trying to calm him down.
If you pick him up, wait an extra minute before putting him back down. By doing this, you will notice that your baby will begin sleeping more soundly again as he gets used to his new surroundings and has his mother around again.
Why does a baby fight sleep at night?
There are many reasons why a baby may fight to sleep at night. The strain of the day, such as a long car ride, may also play a part, as the fact that your baby is exhausted after a day of play.
Take note of all of the changes your baby has undergone in his environment in the past few months and see if any seem to throw him off schedule.
If your baby is fighting sleep, try the following tips:
1. Sleep sack
It is important to be sure that your baby is not overly exposed to the elements Of a cold bedroom or drafts throughout the house.
Be sure that you have a blanket and sleep sack on him throughout the night, especially when he has trouble fighting sleep.
2. Try a pacifier
To help quell his discomfort, ensure that your baby is given a pacifier. This will make him feel more at ease and ready to sleep, so be sure to take the time to find the right fit for your little one.
3. Be prepared for bedtime
As much as possible, try to prepare for bedtime early in the day. If you have errands or other things to attend to during the day, it may be hard for you and your baby if you are tired at night.
Preparing for bedtime during the day will be easier for you to get your child to sleep soundly and quietly.
4. Put baby to bed drowsy but awake
It is important that you put your baby down to bed in an exhausted state but not asleep. If they are asleep, they will be more likely to fight sleep until they fall back into their deeper sleep.
Putting him down when he is awake gives him a chance to self-soothe and fight sleep independently.
Why does the baby fight sleep with mom?
Putting your baby down for bed may cause him to cry, especially if he is getting used to being put down by his mom. Baby is only getting used to you being there when he has been awake and playing.
He will not miss you or feel scared after a few nights of you putting him down for a nap or at night. Be sure that there are no other reasons your baby is crying, such as hunger or pain.
Why do babies hate sleep?
Babies don’t hate sleep, and they need time to get used to falling asleep on their own. If your baby is used to you rocking them back and forth until they fall asleep, it may be hard for them to rest independently.
It takes time for a baby to get used to the rhythm of falling asleep without being rocked or propped. You need not worry about your baby missing you at night, as this is a natural part of the growing process.
Conclusion
As you let your baby adjust to his new environment, you will notice that he does not fight sleep as much as he did at first. Be sure to stick with this for the next few weeks and be patient about the time it takes for him to get used to falling asleep.
If you do notice that your baby has become used to sleeping on his own, try leaving some extra time before bedtime and letting him become more familiar with his surroundings.
I hope this article helped you! Please share it to increase awareness of infant sleep problems and help make your baby sleep better.
FAQs
How Do I Get My Baby To Stop Fighting Sleep?
Your baby must learn to sleep independently, even if it does take time for them to get used to their new surroundings. When you first put the baby down, avoid picking him up and make sure he is in a quiet environment to rest easy. If you think this may be a problem, talk with your pediatrician.
Why Do Overtired Babies Fight Sleep?
Babies need to rest and sleep at regular intervals throughout the day, just like adults. If your baby is overtired, she will be more likely to fight sleep as she will feel uncomfortable trying to sleep. Be sure that you are getting her plenty of naps during the day so she can get enough rest.
Why Do Babies Battle Sleep?
If a baby is not used to sleeping independently, he will try to find the closest source of comfort, his mom. Make sure that the environment that you put your baby in at night is quiet and dark so she can get used to the feeling of falling asleep without help from her mother.
Why Does My Baby Battle Sleep During Naps?
This could be caused by some things, such as overstimulation or hunger. It is also a possibility that your baby is overtired. Be sure to check with your pediatrician whether he requires more naps during the day or if he needs a longer nap. If you think this might be the case, be sure to ask for suggestions on how to improve your infant’s sleep in the environment best you are living in.
