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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 babies become overtired, they may wake more often and find it harder to settle again.

Your baby may rely on a familiar way of falling asleep

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 you're worried your baby may be unwell, speak to your GP or health visitor.

Look at the whole day

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

Important: every baby's sleep is different. Avoid one-size-fits-all promises, and always put feeding, growth and safer sleep first.
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.

What's affecting 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: 28 October 2026.