Reasons That a Baby Would Stop Sleeping Through the Night

Growth Spurt

• Babies are constantly growing, but, like older children, they go through growth spurts, during which they grow a significant amount in a very short period of time. The physical extension can actually be uncomfortable and cause your baby to toss and turn at night during the time he is usually relaxed and comfortable. If a growth spurt is the cause, the sleeplessness will come and go quickly.

Illness or Ear Infection

• If a baby is ill or has an ear infection, she will not sleep as she normally does. Ear infections can be troublesome for a week or two, even after medication has begun. Any illness, even the common cold, will likely affect your baby's normal sleep patterns. Once the illness is gone, she will return to her normal sleep routine.

Hunger

• Even if your baby no longer has night feedings, he may still occasionally wake up and want to eat. Everyone becomes hungry sometimes and needs a little extra nourishment. Nurse him or give him a bottle, snack or other food he typically enjoys, and then put him back to sleep. If this becomes a habit, you might increase the amount of food you offer for dinner or give him a snack right before bedtime to keep his belly full.

Nightmares

• Babies have nightmares, just like adults. If she wakes in the middle of the night due to nightmares, you can do little right away other than soothe her by holding, rocking or stroking her. To prevent nightmares from the start, try adding a nightlight in the room, rocking her to sleep or playing soothing music prior to bedtime. These practices may all promote healthier thoughts and help her have better dreams.

Teething

• Teething is a painful and difficult time for a baby, as the teeth breaking the skin is uncomfortable. This discomfort can cause him to wake up at night, often crying or screaming because he cannot ease the pain in his mouth. Soothe him with teething tablets or medicated teething medicine especially made for babies. Giving a small dose of children's acetaminophen just before bedtime also helps.

Fewer Naps

• As a baby grows older, she needs fewer naps during the day to keep her going. The transition in frequency or length of naps can cause a baby to stop sleeping through the night because her schedule has been altered. Too many forced naptimes when the baby isn't sleepy can also cause disruptions, because she has already gotten adequate sleep and no longer requires a full night's rest if she oversleeps during the day.