Genie Chat
Genie Chat
You’re tired. You’ve rocked, fed, swaddled, and paced the hallway more times than you can count. And still—your baby isn’t sleeping. If you’re wondering, “Am I doing something wrong?” take a deep breath. You’re not alone. Baby Not Sleeping!
Almost every parent walks this path. Sleep struggles are one of the most talked-about parenting challenges for a reason. When your baby doesn’t sleep, neither do you. And that lack of sleep touches everything—your mood, your baby’s mood, your ability to cope, and even your relationships.
The good news? There are gentle, proven tips that help your baby sleep through the night. Backed by experience, evidence, and compassion, these strategies can guide your family toward more restful nights.
Newborns and infants aren’t wired to sleep for long stretches right away. Their sleep patterns are immature, and they wake often because of hunger, discomfort, or just needing to feel close to you.
This is completely normal, especially in the early months. But it doesn’t mean you can’t help your baby learn healthy sleep habits over time.
Trying to follow a rigid schedule can make things harder. Instead, learn to spot your baby’s natural signs of sleepiness. Yawning, rubbing eyes, turning away, or pulling ears are all cues that your baby may be ready for sleep.
When you see these signs, start winding down. If you wait too long, your baby can become overtired—and an overtired baby is much harder to settle.
A predictable bedtime routine signals your baby that it’s time to sleep. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Just consistent.
Over time, your baby will associate this routine with sleep, making it easier to settle each night.
Babies sleep better in a calm, quiet, and dimly lit space. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature. A cool, quiet environment helps your baby fall asleep longer.
White noise can make a big difference by drowning out household sounds and creating a familiar, soothing rhythm that helps baby fall asleep. At Parenting Genie, we recommend using our White Noise Machine. It mimics your baby’s sounds in the womb and supports deeper, more restful sleep.
Safe sleep isn’t just important—it’s essential. Always place your baby on their back, on a firm mattress, with no pillows, blankets, or toys in the cot.
Remember, always put your baby on their back to sleep.
Instead of loose blankets, try using a sleeping bag or swaddle designed for safe sleep. These keep your baby warm and snug without increasing the risk of suffocation or overheating.
Some babies need a bit of help learning to fall asleep on their own. Try gentle settling methods like:
If your baby cries, pause for a moment and listen. A little grizzling is normal, but always respond if the baby sounds distressed. You are their comfort and safety.
Hunger is a common reason babies wake up at night. Offering full, satisfying feeds during the day can help reduce nighttime waking.
If you’re not sure whether your baby is getting enough milk, don’t guess. Speak with a professional. Through Parenting Genie, you can book a consultation with a Lactation Consultant or Maternal and Child Health Nurse. Our experts are kind, supportive, and ready to help you navigate feeding challenges.
Too much activity close to bedtime can make it harder for your baby to wind down. Bright lights, loud noises, and even playful tickling can leave your baby wired instead of sleepy.
Aim for calm, quiet activities in the hour before sleep. A peaceful bedtime is easier for everyone.
Consistency is key to helping your baby form healthy sleep habits. Try to keep nap times, bedtime, and routines as predictable as possible.
Even if your baby resists at first, stick with it. Sleep habits take time to develop, but consistency will pay off.
If your baby is older than 4–6 months and still waking every hour, gentle sleep teaching may help. It doesn’t mean leaving your baby to cry—it means guiding them toward self-settling with love and support.
Our online course, Sleep Training 101, was designed by qualified maternal and child health nurses. You can do it at your own pace, from your phone, whenever it works.
This isn’t one-size-fits-all advice—it’s practical, flexible support that meets you where you are.
One of the hardest parts of sleep deprivation is feeling isolated. But you’re not alone. You’re not the only one googling “Why won’t my baby sleep” at 3 a.m.
That’s why we created Genie Chat—your 24/7 expert parenting chat. You can ask any question, day or night, and immediately get compassionate, evidence-based answers.
You don’t need to figure everything out on your own. Genie Chat is here whenever you need it.
You don’t have to wait any longer. Enrol in our Online Sleep Training 101 course and start your journey to better sleep today from the comfort of your home.
This gentle, expert-designed course includes:
Most parents say they never needed sleep school after completing this course, but the online baby sleep course changed everything.
Why wait? Let’s help your baby sleep better, starting tonight.
👉 Enrol Now at Parenting Genie
The Raising Children website has more valuable tips on baby sleep.
