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Frequent night wakings · United Kingdom

Baby wakes every hour: the most common reasons

Hourly waking is exhausting. It often feels mysterious, but there are a handful of patterns that come up again and again.

Key takeawayA focused guide for families dealing with very frequent night waking.
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Overtiredness can fragment sleep

When sleep pressure becomes messy, babies can wake more often rather than sleep more deeply.

The bedtime association may be very strong

If your baby falls asleep with feeding, bouncing or rocking every time, they may call for it after each cycle.

Discomfort matters too

Teething, reflux, illness, temperature and environment can all contribute. If something feels off medically, get it checked.

Look at the whole day

Total naps, timing of the last nap and bedtime all affect how the night unfolds.

Important: baby sleep varies enormously. Avoid one-size-fits-all promises, and always prioritise feeding, growth and safe sleep advice.
Safer sleep reminder. For babies, use a firm, flat sleep surface and follow the latest safer sleep advice from the NHS and The Lullaby Trust.

Want to know what is disturbing your baby's sleep?

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Frequently asked questions

Can teething cause hourly waking?

Sometimes, yes, but it is rarely the only reason for weeks on end.

Is this always a sleep regression?

Not always. Regressions exist, but so do timing problems and associations.

Where should I start?

Start with the first bedtime of the night and the last wake window.

Reference sources: NHS baby sleep guidance · The Lullaby Trust safer sleep information. Last updated: 24 September 2026.