Why Is My Baby Crying At Night All Of A Sudden?

If your baby has started crying at night all of a sudden, there could be a few reasons, let’s figure them out one by one.

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If your baby has started crying at night all of a sudden, there could be a few things happening. The things like sickness, ear ache, teething, etc. need to be ruled out because those are typically one off things that can be resolved within a day or two.

But if you’ve got a precious baby crying at night all of a sudden and it’s not that, well, we need to dig a little deeper.

Is baby crying at night all of a sudden during the witching hours?

If your baby is a few weeks old and suddenly starts crying in those later afternoon and early evening hours (or sometimes the 7pm to 9pm hours) then it could likely be witching hours.

Here is how to get through the witching hours – if you determine that’s the issue – but sometimes it’s not that. Sometimes baby is a bit older, has been going through everything fine, and then ALL OF A SUDDEN the sleep ain’t happening.

Read: The Top 10 Indicators It’s Time to Sleep Train

Is baby crying all of a sudden out of hunger?

There comes a time – typically around 5 to 7 months of age – when baby is simply more hungry. Infant nutrition needs morph as they grow and by 6 months most babies are absolutely ready to be eating solids. Not 1 or 2 tablespoons a day, but at 3 meals a day.

Including protein, which incidentally, helps baby sleep.

So if baby is crying all of a sudden at night or throughout the night, having night wakings when they haven’t in a long time, I’d rule out hunger. Offer more feeds during the day and add in solids and work to help baby eat a good amount.

If you’re still feeding at night, give baby full feeds. Don’t let babe snack for 5 minutes then back to sleep because you’ll do that on and off all night if what they really need is a good amount of milk.

Is baby crying at night all of a sudden due to a change in routine or circumstances?

Often babies will become overstimulated and need an earlier bedtime. If baby has dropped a nap and then is crying at normal bedtime, may be time to move that bedtime up a bit.

Has someone started caring for baby other than you? Maybe they do things differently during the day and baby is more worn out.

Perhaps baby needs more exercise. Sometimes we think babies don’t need to move and play, but they do! Tummy time, back time on a blanket, or play gyms. Or even just cuddling and playing with other siblings will help baby use up some of their energy.

Read: Is Sleep Training a Baby Bad or Dangerous? Let’s Talk Facts!

As always, get to the root of the issue and you’ll find the solution.

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