Baby Not Sleeping Enough? What I Wish I Knew as a New Dad

Why Is My Baby Not Sleeping Enough?

It’s a question almost every new parent asks at some point: Why is my baby not sleeping enough? Short naps, frequent wake-ups, and restless nights are common challenges, but they’re often solvable with a little patience and the right strategies. By understanding the reasons behind disrupted sleep and making small changes, you can help your baby rest better—and reclaim some rest for yourself.

I’m not here to tell you it’s easy, but I want you to know it’s not that bad. One caveat: if you have a colicky baby, your experience may vary (YMMV). Still, after talking to a few other new parents, I found they shared a similar perspective. Below, I’ll highlight why sleep in the newborn phase isn’t quite as dire as you may have been led to believe.

1. Sleep Is Different

You won’t get a full 7-8 hours of dreamy, uninterrupted sleep anymore. Instead, your sleep will happen in phases. You might still get 5-8 hours, but it’ll be broken up. Instead of sleeping from 11 PM to 6 AM, you might sleep from 10 PM to 1 AM, wake up, then sleep from 1:45 AM to 3:45 AM, and finally catch another block from 4:15 AM to 6:15 AM. Remember you are adjusting to the baby's sleep schedule not the other way around.

In total, you’re still getting 7 hours—it’s just not continuous. Your body and mind adapt. Honestly, I don’t feel substantially worse unless the little guy has a particularly bad night (which, yes, can happen).

2. There Will Be Bad Days and Nights

Let’s be real: there will be some rough nights. Your baby may wake up more often than usual or struggle to go back to sleep. On those nights, everything feels harder, and the following day is a slog.

When this happens, try working in shifts with your partner. One of you can sleep while the other tends to the baby, then trade off. If shifts aren’t an option, remind yourself that these tough nights don’t last forever. Often, the next night will be better.

3. Start a Sleep Schedule (Even if the Baby Doesn’t Stick to It)

Even though your newborn doesn’t know the difference between day and night yet, it’s helpful to establish a sleep routine. A consistent schedule creates a foundation your baby can start adjusting to over time. Dim the lights, create a calming environment, and, most importantly, get them in that swaddle.

In our house, we wind down just before 9 PM to aim for bedtime around then. Sometimes it’s a little later if he has a longer feed or a messy diaper change that requires extra rocking, but having that routine has helped both in the short and long term.

Here’s an example of what a bedtime routine might look like:

1. Start the wind-down: Dim the lights, play white noise or calming music.

2. Prepare for overnight changes: Get your changing setup ready and change the baby if needed.

3. Swaddle time: Put your baby in the swaddle.

4. Feed: Begin the nighttime feed.

5. Sleep: Go to bed when your baby does.

   
   

Conclusion

I’m not here to sugarcoat it: raising a baby and navigating sleep challenges isn’t easy. But it doesn’t have to be a major struggle, either. Accept that sleep will look different, know that bad nights will happen, and focus on building a consistent routine. These small adjustments will help you establish a new kind of normalcy.

Ultimately, your baby will guide you toward what they need. As long as you provide comfort, care, and food, you’ll feel a little better each day than you did on day one.

Products to Help With Sleep

• Squishy Rechargeable Night Light

• Love To Dream Swaddle Up

• Hatch Rest Go

• Hatch Night Light & Sound Machine