If your baby is waking every hour, you’re probably exhausted, and wondering what you’re doing wrong.

First, take a breath.

Frequent night waking is one of the most common concerns parents bring to me. And in most cases, it isn’t caused by “bad habits” or something you’ve failed to do. Sleep is shaped by biology, development, environment, and connection, not just what happens at bedtime.

Let’s look at what might really be going on.

Is It Normal for a Baby to Wake Every Hour?

Yes.

Babies cycle through lighter and deeper stages of sleep more frequently than adults. At the end of each sleep cycle (around 40–60 minutes), they briefly stir. And sometimes they may fully wake.

Hourly waking can be linked to:

Developmental changes
Teething or illness
Hunger or growth spurts
Sleep pressure being too low
Environmental factors
A need for connection

The key is understanding which pillar of the Holistic House may need attention.

1. Sleep Biology & Development

Babies’ sleep cycles are shorter than adults. They also experience rapid brain development in the first year, which can temporarily disrupt sleep patterns.

If your baby is:

Rolling
Crawling
Standing
Babbling more
Experiencing separation awareness

Night waking can increase. This doesn’t mean sleep is “broken.” It means development is happening.

2. Sleep Pressure & Timing

Sleep pressure is the body’s drive to sleep. It builds throughout the day and releases overnight.

If naps are:

Too long
Too close to bedtime
Or inconsistent

Night sleep can become fragmented.

Often, hourly waking is less about “self-settling” and more about adjusting daytime rhythm.

3. Environment

Light, temperature, and stimulation matter.

Even small things can impact sleep:

Blue light before bed
A rushed or drawn out bedtime
A room that doesn’t feel fully calm or secure
Noise shifts overnight
A drop in temperature

Sleep doesn’t just begin at bedtime. It’s shaped across the whole day.

4. Connection & Emotional Regulation

Babies aren’t designed to be independent sleepers from birth.

If your baby only sleeps well when held, feeds frequently overnight, or seeks closeness, this is not a “sleep problem”, it’s co-regulation.

Connection helps regulate a baby’s nervous system. During developmental leaps or unsettled periods, they may need more reassurance.

This is where the Support Spectrum™ becomes important. Some nights require more closeness. Other nights require gentle reassurance. There is no single “right” way.

Could It Be Something Medical?

Occasionally, persistent hourly waking can be linked to:

Reflux
Iron deficiency
Food sensitivities
Eczema or discomfort
Enlarged tonsils

If night waking feels extreme or is paired with other symptoms, it’s always worth speaking to a health professional.

Sleep is biological first, behavioural second.

What Should You Do If Your Baby Is Waking Every Hour?

Rather than jumping to “how do I stop this?”, ask:

Has anything changed developmentally?
Are naps doing their job?
Is the timing of bedtime biologically appropriate?
Does the environment feel calm and consistent?
Could discomfort be playing a role?

Small adjustments to the whole picture are often more effective than focusing only on self-settling.

When to Seek Support

If you’re:

Feeling completely depleted
Unsure what’s normal
Stuck in cycles of trial and error
Worried something deeper is happening

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Gentle, holistic sleep support looks at biology, environment, health, and connection together, not in isolation.

A Gentle Reminder

If your baby is waking every hour, it doesn’t mean you’ve created a problem.

It means something in the system needs understanding.

Sleep doesn’t need fixing, it needs context.

Need Support?

If frequent night wakings are leaving you exhausted, you’re welcome to get in touch. Together we can look at the full picture and create a plan that feels realistic, responsive, and rooted in science.

Message me on WhatsApp to start the conversation.

Why Is My Baby Waking Every Hour?