Why Is My Baby Awake for Hours at Night?

Picture this scenario: your baby has woken in the night. You've tried feeding, rocking, cuddling, swapping with your partner, a bit more feeding... and they've now been awake for over an hour. You're exhausted, confused, and at your wit's end because you can't figure out what they need or why this is happening.

If this sounds familiar, you're experiencing what sleep experts call a "split night" - when your baby is awake for a prolonged period during the night, seemingly unable or unwilling to go back to sleep. It's one of the most challenging sleep disruptions parents face, but understanding why it happens is the first step toward solving it.

What causes split nights?

There are several potential reasons your baby might be experiencing prolonged night wakes. 

Let's explore the most common culprits:

1. They've had too much daytime sleep

Believe it or not, babies can sometimes get too much sleep during the day. If your baby is developmentally ready for around 2 hours of daytime sleep but has had closer to 4 or 5 hours across the day, they might wake during the night simply because they're not tired enough.

Think of it as a sleep budget - babies need a certain amount in a 24-hour period. If they "spend" too much of that budget during daytime naps, they'll have less "sleep pressure" to carry them through the night.

2. They're seriously overtired

On the flip side, if your baby hasn't had enough daytime sleep, they can become overtired. This might seem counterintuitive - surely a baby who hasn't slept much would be more tired and sleep better at night? Unfortunately, that's not how baby sleep works.

When babies become overtired, their bodies produce excess cortisol - the stress hormone - which makes it physically difficult for them to settle. An overtired baby often appears wired, restless, and irritable, sometimes even screaming inconsolably. They're exhausted but simply cannot switch off.

Signs your baby might be overtired include:
•    Extreme fussiness or crying that intensifies when you try to help them sleep
•    Arching their back when you try to hold them
•    Seeming "wired" despite being awake for hours
•    Jerky, frantic movements
•    Difficulty focusing their attention

3. Your settling methods are accidentally stimulating them

This is perhaps the most common cause of split nights. The very methods you're using to try to get your baby back to sleep might actually be waking them up more!

For newborns, rocking, bouncing, or holding to sleep works beautifully. But as babies get older and more aware of their surroundings, these active settling methods can become stimulating rather than calming. Your movement, your heartbeat, your smell, your voice - all these things that once soothed them can now excite them and signal "it's time to interact!"

What started as a brief waking can quickly turn into a full-blown "I think it's morning now!" party in the middle of the night.

4. They're going through a developmental leap

Babies' brains develop at an astonishing rate in the first year. During periods of significant cognitive or physical development (like learning to roll, sit, crawl, or talk), sleep often takes a hit.

Your baby might be processing all the new skills they're acquiring, or they might be eager to practice their newfound abilities - even at 3 AM! These developmental leaps can lead to what seem like sudden regressions in sleep patterns.

5. They're experiencing a schedule mismatch

Sometimes a baby's internal body clock gets out of sync with their sleep schedule. This can happen when:
•    Bedtime is too early relative to when they're actually tired
•    Nap times are inconsistent
•    They're getting too much or too little awake time between sleep periods
•    Their circadian rhythm hasn't fully developed yet (common in newborns)

When there's a mismatch between when you're putting your baby down and when their body is ready for sleep, those long night wakings are more likely to occur.

6. There's an underlying discomfort

Sometimes split nights have a physical cause. Your baby might be:
•    Experiencing teething pain
•    Having digestive discomfort like gas or reflux
•    Too hot or too cold
•    Fighting off an illness
•    Experiencing a growth spurt and genuine hunger

How to address split nights

Now that we've identified potential causes, let's look at practical solutions:

Balance daytime sleep

Finding the right amount of daytime sleep is crucial. Too much or too little can both cause problems. Naps being at the right time of day and for the right length of time can greatly affect night time sleep. Transform your baby's sleep without the guesswork. Our downloadable Sleep Guides deliver exactly what you need - a clear, responsive method that's already improved sleep for over 4000 families worldwide.

Create an optimal sleep environment

The right sleep environment can make a huge difference in helping your baby connect sleep cycles and stay asleep longer.

Key elements include:
•    A pitch-black room (even the smallest amount of light can signal "wake up time" to sensitive babies)
•    Comfortable temperature (16-20°C/61-68°F is ideal)
•    White noise to mask household sounds
•    A safe, clear sleep space without distractions

Adjust your settling approach

When your baby is experiencing split nights, the methods you're using to help them return to sleep could be counterproductive. What worked initially might now be stimulating rather than calming as your baby develops.

At The Sleep Chief, we've found success with two proven methods that help babies learn to connect their sleep cycles independently:

Controlled Comforting Method - This gentle approach allows you to remain present while your baby learns to self-settle.

Gentle Controlled Crying Method - For babies who become more stimulated by your presence, this method provides reassurance while giving them space to develop self-settling skills.

The key with both methods is consistency and patience. Whichever approach you choose, use it consistently for all sleep situations – bedtime, night wakings, and naps. Most babies need 5-7 days of consistent implementation before new sleep patterns emerge.

For split nights specifically, consider which method might be less stimulating for your baby. Some babies become more alert with a parent in the room, while others need that reassuring presence to feel secure enough to sleep.

Maintain a consistent routine

Babies thrive on predictability. A consistent routine helps set their internal clock and builds sleep associations that make falling (and staying) asleep easier.

Your bedtime routine doesn't need to be elaborate - it just needs to be consistent. A simple sequence like bath, feed, book, sleep song, and into bed can be powerful when done regularly.

During night wakings, keep interactions minimal and boring. Use dim lights (or none if possible), speak in hushed tones, and avoid being playful. This reinforces that nighttime is for sleeping, not socializing.

Address any physical discomfort

If you suspect physical discomfort might be causing wakings:
•    For teething: consider appropriate pain relief after consulting with your doctor
•    For temperature issues: check the room temperature and dress your baby appropriately (a sleeping bag is often better than blankets)
•    For digestive issues: look at feeding patterns and ensure good burping
•    For illness: consult your healthcare provider

When to seek help

While some sleep disruptions are normal, persistent split nights can be exhausting for the whole family. Consider seeking help if:
•    Split nights happen several times a week for more than a few weeks
•    Your baby seems genuinely distressed during these wakings
•    You're feeling overwhelmed or your own sleep deprivation is affecting your wellbeing
•    You suspect an underlying medical issue like severe reflux or sleep apnea

Real solutions from real parents

Many parents have successfully navigated through split nights. Here are some strategies that worked for them:

Emma, mother of 6-month-old Noah: "We realized we were keeping Noah up too late, thinking it would make him sleep better. After moving his bedtime earlier by an hour, the split nights stopped almost immediately. He was less overtired going into bedtime."

James, father of 9-month-old Sophia: "We had been rocking Sophia to sleep for every nap and bedtime. When she started staying awake for hours at night, our sleep consultant suggested we work on independent sleep skills. It took about a week of consistency, but now she can connect her sleep cycles on her own."

Maria, mother of 4-month-old Lucas: "Lucas was having way too much daytime sleep - nearly 5 hours across four naps! When we adjusted to 3 hours of daytime sleep across three naps, our nights improved dramatically."

The bottom line

Split nights are challenging but usually temporary. By understanding what might be causing these prolonged wakings, you can take targeted steps to help your baby (and you!) get back to more restful nights.

Remember that consistency is key - whatever approach you choose, give it time to work before moving on to something else. Most sleep changes take 5-7 days of consistent implementation before you see results.

With patience and the right strategies, you can help your baby develop healthy sleep habits that will serve them (and you) for years to come.