{"id":29952,"date":"2026-02-17T08:00:53","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T08:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/?p=29952"},"modified":"2026-02-17T09:24:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T09:24:50","slug":"baby-struggling-to-fall-asleep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/blog\/infant\/baby-struggling-to-fall-asleep\/","title":{"rendered":"How to respond to a baby struggling to fall asleep?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crying at bedtime, restlessness, frequent awakenings\u2026 These difficulties are common and can have multiple causes, often related to your baby\u2019s development and physiological needs. What are the common sleep issues in a baby struggling to fall asleep? What are their needs? How can you help them fall asleep? Let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baby struggling to fall asleep: common causes<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a baby who struggles to fall asleep, certain causes are particularly common.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baby struggling to fall asleep: a baby\u2019s physiological needs<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your baby may struggle to fall asleep <strong>due to their physiological needs<\/strong>:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your baby is hungry.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They need affection <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and to feel secure.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>They are sick<\/strong>: for example, if <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">your child has a fever<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a stomachache<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it is normal for their sleep to be disrupted.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>They have accumulated too much fatigue<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: this may seem paradoxical, but if your child builds up a lot of fatigue over a long period, they may find it increasingly difficult to fall asleep.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Bedtime is offered too late<\/strong> in relation to your child\u2019s signs of fatigue and they have missed their sleep window: excitement and restlessness can then override tiredness, and your baby may struggle to calm down and surrender to sleep.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baby struggling to fall asleep: learning to fall asleep independently<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Difficulty falling asleep independently<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: self-soothing at bedtime is not innate. Many babies require an adult\u2019s presence to calm down.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Night wakings<\/strong>: these are frequent because your baby has short sleep cycles and often wakes between sleep phases. Some babies need reassurance to fall back asleep.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baby struggling to fall asleep: changes in baby sleep patterns<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>There has been a recent change in habits<\/strong>: babies are very sensitive to routines and habits. Disruptions (moving, changing bedrooms, absence of a parent, etc.) can also disturb their sleep.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Irregular sleep schedules<\/strong>: your baby may struggle to fall asleep if naps are too short or poorly distributed throughout the day.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Good to know<\/strong>: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">from 3\u20134 months onward, changes in wakefulness<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> also influence your infant\u2019s sleep. Depending on the baby, this phase can lead to calmer nights because they expend more energy during the day, or conversely to more restless nights, as their curiosity may sometimes override fatigue.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baby struggling to fall asleep: medical causes<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some babies experience sleep disturbances <strong>due to medical causes<\/strong>. Here are the main situations to consider:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">minor digestive discomfort such as <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reflux<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">colic<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">physical pain such as <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">teething<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ear infections, or other physical discomfort.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baby struggling to fall asleep: environmental factors<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The environment in which your baby goes to sleep plays a key role in their ability to fall asleep peacefully. Here are the main elements to monitor:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Light<\/strong>: the room should not be too bright so as not to interfere with your baby\u2019s melatonin production and delay sleep onset.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Noise<\/strong>: choose a quiet bedroom. Sudden noises or an overly noisy environment can cause micro-awakenings and prevent your baby from reaching deep sleep.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Room temperature<\/strong>: a temperature between 64 and 68\u00b0F (18\u201320\u00b0C) promotes better sleep quality.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Bedtime routine<\/strong>: a stable and reassuring routine helps your baby transition from wakefulness to sleep.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to learn more? Feel free to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/app.adjust.com\/1pblulz8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">download the May app<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where you&#8217;ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your journey as a new parent.<\/span> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-29940\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/portrait-of-sleepy-baby-rubbing-eyes-falling-aslee-2026-01-07-00-24-39-utc.webp\" alt=\"How to respond to a baby who struggles to fall asleep? - May App Health\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/portrait-of-sleepy-baby-rubbing-eyes-falling-aslee-2026-01-07-00-24-39-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/portrait-of-sleepy-baby-rubbing-eyes-falling-aslee-2026-01-07-00-24-39-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/portrait-of-sleepy-baby-rubbing-eyes-falling-aslee-2026-01-07-00-24-39-utc-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sleep needs by baby\u2019s age<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sleep needs in terms of hours vary greatly depending on your baby\u2019s age and stage of development. At birth, a newborn can sleep up to 20 hours per day, divided into several short cycles interspersed with wakeful periods.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deep sleep and the ability to distinguish between day and night develop only <strong>gradually<\/strong>, as your baby\u2019s biological clock becomes established. Therefore, it is normal for your baby to wake frequently and struggle to fall asleep independently during the first months of life. A lack of sleep or poor-quality naps can also lead to an <strong>accumulation of fatigue<\/strong> and make bedtime more difficult.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Good to know:<\/strong> this pattern evolves quickly. These figures are indicative and may vary from one child to another:<\/span> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-29928 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/tableau_tempsdesommeil_300dpi-847x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"How to respond to a baby who struggles to fall asleep? - May App Health\" width=\"847\" height=\"770\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/tableau_tempsdesommeil_300dpi-847x1024-1.jpg 847w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/tableau_tempsdesommeil_300dpi-847x1024-1-300x273.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/tableau_tempsdesommeil_300dpi-847x1024-1-768x698.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 847px) 100vw, 847px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to recognize the behaviors of a baby who struggles to fall asleep?<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>Restlessness at bedtime is one of the most common signs in a baby who struggles to fall asleep. A child who has difficulty calming down may show:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Repeated<\/strong> or prolonged crying as soon as they are placed in their crib.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Constant movement<\/strong>: arching their back, kicking, stiffening, clinging to you, or waving their arms.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Quick awakenings<\/strong> after being put down, or frequent micro-awakenings before falling asleep.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These reactions are often a sign that your baby cannot let go, either because they are overstimulated or already overtired.<\/span> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-29944\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/portrait-of-baby-putting-duck-face-2026-01-05-06-10-28-utc-1.webp\" alt=\"How to respond to a baby who struggles to fall asleep? - May App Health\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/portrait-of-baby-putting-duck-face-2026-01-05-06-10-28-utc-1.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/portrait-of-baby-putting-duck-face-2026-01-05-06-10-28-utc-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/portrait-of-baby-putting-duck-face-2026-01-05-06-10-28-utc-1-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2><b>How can you help a baby fall asleep?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are <strong>practical solutions<\/strong> to improve your baby\u2019s sleep quality, including establishing a reassuring routine and gradually supporting more independent sleep onset.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Establish a reassuring routine<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A consistent and predictable evening routine helps your baby anticipate bedtime. <strong>This reassuring cue promotes the transition from wakefulness to sleep.<\/strong> Here are some routine ideas to adapt to your habits:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a warm bath or soothing wash,<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a gentle massage or cuddle,<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a short story or lullaby,<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dim lighting with a calm voice,<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">guiding them to their crib.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The key is to repeat the same actions every evening, in the same order, to help your baby understand that bedtime is approaching.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A word from Cl\u00e9mentine Testuz, pediatric nurse:<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe bedtime routine must take your child\u2019s level of fatigue into account! An overtired child is not able to benefit from a routine, and it may turn into a nightmare! That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to recognize the right bedtime moment in order to anticipate the routine.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How can you encourage learning to fall asleep independently?<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From 4 to 6 months of age, your baby can go several hours without feeding, distinguish between day and night, and benefit from longer sleep cycles. They can then gradually learn to fall asleep on their own. Each baby develops this skill at their own pace.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you would like to help them develop independent sleep onset, you can gradually get them used to falling asleep without your presence. To do this, progressively reduce the time you spend with your baby at bedtime. To achieve this:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>If your child usually falls asleep while nursing<\/strong>: offer the feeding outside their bedroom, then continue the bedtime routine by rocking them. Over time, try guiding them toward falling asleep directly in their crib. Gentle strokes can reassure them and signal your presence, which you will then make increasingly discreet, until you are simply present in the room.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>If your baby usually falls asleep in your arms<\/strong>: place them in their crib while they are still drowsy. If they wake up, pick them up and try again. By repeating this process, they can gradually integrate new cues and gain autonomy at bedtime.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Good to know<\/strong>: try to identify signs of fatigue (yawning, rubbing eyes) so you can offer bedtime at the right moment. If possible, put your child to bed within 15 to 30 minutes after the first signs of tiredness appear.<\/span> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-29948\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/baby-boy-lying-on-bed-on-back-looking-at-camera-ha-2026-01-07-05-43-41-utc.webp\" alt=\"How to respond to a baby who struggles to fall asleep? - May App Health\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/baby-boy-lying-on-bed-on-back-looking-at-camera-ha-2026-01-07-05-43-41-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/baby-boy-lying-on-bed-on-back-looking-at-camera-ha-2026-01-07-05-43-41-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/baby-boy-lying-on-bed-on-back-looking-at-camera-ha-2026-01-07-05-43-41-utc-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baby struggling to fall asleep: when should you consult a healthcare professional?<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, despite your best efforts, <strong>your baby may continue to have difficulty falling asleep.<\/strong> It is then recommended to seek your doctor\u2019s advice in the following situations:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sleep deprivation is <strong>chronic<\/strong> and affects your child\u2019s growth or weight gain.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Night wakings are very frequent.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your baby shows signs of physical discomfort (reflux, pain, illness).<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are experiencing significant distress or exhaustion.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A healthcare professional can assess whether there is an underlying medical or emotional cause and guide you toward solutions suited to your situation.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In summary, sleep issues in babies can have many causes. Helping a baby who struggles to fall asleep involves listening to their needs and establishing a reassuring bedtime routine. Observing signs of fatigue and respecting your baby\u2019s sleep cycles can make it easier for them to fall asleep and improve sleep quality.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>**<\/p>\r\n<p>Photo credits: ArseniiPalivoda | joaquincorbalan | OlgaSmolina<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US\/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Crying at bedtime, restlessness, frequent awakenings\u2026 These difficulties are common and can have multiple causes, often related to your baby\u2019s development and physiological needs. What are the common sleep issues in a baby struggling to fall asleep? What are their needs? How can you help them fall asleep? Let\u2019s take a closer look. Baby struggling [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":10275,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[196,197,199],"tags":[152],"class_list":["post-29952","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-infant","category-baby-6-12-months","category-baby-1-year","tag-baby-sleep"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29952","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29952"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29952\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29956,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29952\/revisions\/29956"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10275"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29952"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29952"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29952"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}