Why Is My Baby Waking After 1 Hour? How to Stop False Starts.

by Iva Faulknerova | Feb 19, 2026 | cluster feeding and witching hour, Sleep Regression

TABLE OF CONTENT:

8 Common Causes of Baby Waking After 1 Hour

HOW to Stop a Baby From Waking 1 Hour After Bedtime

Why Is My Baby Waking After 1 Hour?

If you are wondering why your baby is waking after 1 hour, you are not alone. Many babies wake 30–60 minutes after bedtime, often due to a “false start.” Baby waking after 1 hour is commonly caused by overtiredness, undertiredness, or sleep associations (like needing rocking or feeding to fall back asleep). Other reasons include short sleep cycles, teething, or discomfort.

Does it feel like no matter what you do, you can’t always stop your baby waking after 1 hour? My sleep guides provide practical, step-by-step strategies to help your baby sleep longer stretches, reduce false starts, and settle more easily. Choose your baby’s age to get started:
Sleep Guide by Age 0–6 Years

8 Common Causes of Baby Waking After 1 Hour

If your baby is waking after 1 hour, it’s often due to one or more of the following causes:

1. Wake windows need adjusting

Wake windows are critical to helping your baby fall asleep easily and stay asleep. Overtired babies may wake frequently at night, while undertired babies may fall asleep but struggle to stay asleep. Both can lead to baby waking after 1 hour.

2. Baby is falling asleep during bedtime feeding

Falling asleep while feeding can lead to false start bedtimes. Even if your baby is tired enough to fall asleep initially, they may not be tired enough to stay asleep, causing baby waking after 1 hour.

3. Baby is going into the crib drowsy or fully asleep

About every 40 – 50 minutes, babies transition to a new sleep cycle. If your baby goes into the crib fully asleep, they may wake at the end of a cycle feeling confused, thinking, “Hey, what’s going on? This isn’t where I fell asleep.” How to fix: Encourage independent sleep by putting your baby down drowsy but awake. This helps them learn to connect sleep cycles on their own.

4. Your baby is younger than 3 – 4 months and simply needs a later bedtime

At this age, false starts are common. Babies with a 7:00 – 8:00 pm bedtime may even treat that bedtime like a nap. This is developmentally normal. Many babies at this age just need a later bedtime, which helps to prevent your baby waking after 1 hour.

5. The day is starting too late

Even when a baby appears to be getting the recommended amount of total sleep for their age, how that sleep is distributed across the day matters just as much. For babies, meeting age-appropriate sleep needs across a 24-hour period only works when the day is structured in a way that supports night sleep. If your baby’s day starts too late, they may not build enough sleep pressure by bedtime, causing bedtime to function more like a nap and baby waking after 1 hour, often referred to as a false start. Aligning morning wake-up times, naps, and bedtime with your child’s age-appropriate sleep needs helps ensure sleep is consolidated rather than fragmented at night. If you are unsure how much sleep your child needs at each stage, you can review the full breakdown here: https://sleepyangelsconsultancy.com/how-much-sleep-child-needs/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

6. Developmental milestones and growth spurts

Teething, sleep regressions, learning to roll, crawl, separation anxiety or rapid growth – growth spurts can temporarily disrupt sleep.

7. Environmental factors

Noise, light, room temperature, or general discomfort can trigger early-night awakenings. Optimizing the sleep environment with a dark, quiet, and comfortably cool room can reduce baby waking after 1 hour.

8. Safe response after a false start

Even with adjustments, baby waking after 1 hour can still happen. Respond safely: replace the pacifier, rock or bounce briefly, and lay your baby back down. Feeding isn’t usually necessary unless your baby is truly hungry. Over time, teaching independent sleep and following a consistent bedtime routine reduces false starts.

HOW to Stop a Baby From Waking 1 Hour After Bedtime

If your baby is waking after 1 hour, false starts can be incredibly frustrating. While there is rarely one single fix, the steps below can significantly reduce early-night wakings and help your baby sleep longer stretches.

1. Adjust Wake Windows

Fine-tuning the final wake window before bedtime is often one of the most effective fixes for baby waking after 1 hour.

What can you do:

Adjust the last wake window by 15- 30 minutes earlier or later
Watch closely for overtired signs like meltdowns or fighting sleep
Look for under-tired signs such as short naps and high alertness

2. Optimise Bedtime Feeding

If your baby falls asleep during their final feed, they may struggle to stay asleep and wake shortly after bedtime.

What can you do:

Keep your baby awake during the last feed
Move the feed earlier in the bedtime routine
Keep lights on and white noise off during feeding
Feed in a different room if needed

3. Encourage Independent Sleep

Babies briefly wake between sleep cycles. If they fall asleep fully assisted, they may struggle to resettle when they stir.

What can you do:

Put your baby down drowsy but awake
Gradually reduce rocking, bouncing, or holding
Support your baby in learning to settle in their sleep space.

Learning independent settling can take time, especially when baby waking after 1 hour has become a pattern. If you want step-by-step guidance, my Sleep Guide by Age 0–6 Years walks you through age-appropriate routines and settling strategies, while my sleep consultancy services offer tailored support if you need one-to-one help.

4. Adjust Bedtime for Younger Babies

For babies under 3–4 months, bedtime may simply be too early.

What can you do:

Allow a short early evening nap if needed
Aim for an 9:00 – 10:00 pm bedtime for babies under 5 months
Gradually move bedtime earlier as your baby approaches 5 months
Check out the 0 – 3 months guide for newborn for more guidance on age-appropriate sleep routines, optimal nap timing, and strategies to reduce early night wakings.

5. Start the Day Earlier

Late mornings can interfere with sleep pressure and contribute to baby waking after 1 hour.

What to do:

Wake your baby between 6:00–8:00 am
Ensure total daytime sleep is age-appropriate
Adjust bedtime to match overall awake time

6. Check the Sleep Environment

Even small environmental disruptions can trigger early wakings.

What to do:

Use blackout blinds to keep the room dark
Keep the room at a comfortable temperature
Use white noise to mask sudden sounds

7. Respond Calmly After a False Start

Even with adjustments, baby waking after 1 hour can still happen occasionally.

What to do:

Replace the dummy quickly if used
Rock or bounce briefly, then put your baby back down
Avoid feeding unless hunger is likely
Keep interaction minimal and quiet

8. Be Patient During Developmental Phases

Teething, rolling, crawling, or growth spurts can temporarily increase baby waking after 1 hour. These phases are normal and usually pass with time and consistency.

9. Track Progress and Adjust

Keep a simple sleep log to note when baby waking after 1 hour occurs and which changes help most. Consistency matters, and many families see improvement within one to two weeks.

To summarise, night wakings in the first year are very common and usually reflect normal sleep cycle transitions rather than a problem. Research from “Spontaneous awakenings from sleep in the first year of life” shows that brief night awakenings are a typical part of infant development, with most babies gradually learning to self-settle between sleep cycles. Encouraging independent sleep and following consistent routines can help reduce false starts and support longer stretches of rest. For practical, step-by-step strategies tailored to your baby’s age, see my Sleep Guide by Age 0–6 Years:
https://sleepyangelsconsultancy.com/sleep-guide-by-age-0-6-year-old/

Why am I Suddenly Feeling Down 9 Months Postpartum? Here’s What’s Really Going On

by Iva Faulknerova | Feb 4, 2026 | Adult sleep, Sleep Regression, Uncategorized, vitamin D, sleepy food, Blue ligth, Separation anxiety

TABLE OF CONTENT:

5 Reasons Why you Might be Feeling Down 9 Months Postpartum

When to Seek Help If You Are Feeling Down 9 Months Postpartum

Suddenly Feeling Down 9 Months Postpartum?

If you are feeling down 9 months postpartum, it can feel confusing and unexpected, especially if you felt emotionally steady earlier on. Many parents believe postpartum mood changes only happen in the early weeks after birth, but research shows emotional challenges can surface much later. Feeling down 9 months postpartum is common, valid, and often influenced by several overlapping factors rather than one single cause.

5 Reasons Why you Might be Feeling Down 9 Months Postpartum

If you are feeling down 9 months postpartum, understanding the possible reasons can help reduce self-blame and make it easier to seek the right kind of support.

1. Delayed or Late Onset Postpartum Depression

Feeling down 9 months postpartum can be linked to delayed postpartum depression, which does not always appear in the early weeks after birth. Longitudinal research published in Archives of Women’s Mental Health followed parents across the first postpartum year and found that depressive symptoms can increase again around nine months postpartum, even among those who reported feeling well earlier in the year https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21351876/. This highlights that postpartum mood changes do not follow a fixed timeline.

2. Cumulative Sleep Deprivation

Many people feeling down 9 months postpartum have experienced months of disrupted or insufficient sleep. Even if night wakings have reduced, the cumulative effects of fragmented sleep can begin to impact mood later on. Research shows that poor sleep quality after six months postpartum is significantly associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms and anxiety, suggesting that ongoing sleep disruption plays a meaningful role in emotional wellbeing during the first year after birth https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6192841/

If sleep feels like part of what’s weighing on you, you can explore gentle, age-appropriate sleep support here

3. Ongoing Hormonal Changes and Weaning

Feeling down 9 months postpartum can also be influenced by continued hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen and progesterone levels remain altered after birth, and mood changes are particularly common during partial or full weaning.

4. Increased Mental Load and Reduced Support

By the time someone is feeling down 9 months postpartum, practical and emotional support often decreases while responsibilities increase. Many parents are balancing work, childcare, household management, and decision-making with less external help than before.

Reducing nighttime stress can help conserve emotional energy during the day. You can find structured but flexible sleep guidance here

5. Identity Shifts and Emotional Adjustment

Feeling down 9 months postpartum is often connected to identity changes that become more apparent once the initial survival phase has passed. Many parents begin to process grief for their previous independence, routines, or sense of self.

When to Seek Help If You Are Feeling Down 9 Months Postpartum

If you are feeling down 9 months postpartum and the feeling is not lifting, it is important to seek professional support. Low mood that lasts for weeks, worsens over time, or makes daily life difficult is a sign that extra help is needed.

You can start by speaking to your GP or health visitor, who can assess your symptoms and guide you to appropriate support.

CDC data shows that many parents reporting depressive symptoms at nine to ten months postpartum did not experience symptoms earlier, meaning late-onset postpartum mood difficulties are common and often overlooked.
https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2023/23_0107.htm

Feeling Down 9 Months Postpartum Does Not Mean You Are Failing

Feeling down 9 months postpartum does not mean you are weak, ungrateful, or doing parenting wrong. It often reflects prolonged caregiving demands, biological changes, emotional load, and reduced support over time. With understanding, rest, and appropriate support, many parents find that things begin to feel lighter again.

📝 Want to learn more about your baby’s development and behavior? Discover expert tips and advice in our Parenting Blog.

5 Top Tips on How to Prevent Separation Anxiety in Babies

by Iva Faulknerova | Dec 1, 2025 | vitamin D, sleepy food, Blue ligth, Separation anxiety

TABLE OF CONTENT:

Why Do Babies Experience Separation Anxiety?

5 Top Tips on How to Prevent Separation Anxiety in Babies

Why Do Babies Experience Separation Anxiety?

Separation anxiety is a completely normal and healthy part of your baby’s development. In fact, it often shows that your baby has formed a secure attachment to you, which is a wonderful sign, even if the clinginess can feel tough in the moment. Understanding why it happens can help you respond calmly and gently as you work to prevent separation anxiety in babies from becoming overwhelming.

1. Growing awareness of object permanence
As your baby’s brain develops, they begin to understand that people and objects continue to exist even when they’re out of sight. This discovery is exciting, but also confusing. A simple way to see this in action is to hide a small toy under a cup, if your baby lifts the cup to find it, they’re demonstrating object permanence. By around 8 – 12 months, this understanding becomes more consistent, as shown in study on infant cognitive development Simply Psychology. With this new awareness comes the worry that when you leave the room, you might not come back

2. Increased sensitivity toward unfamiliar people
Between 6 – 12 months, many babies start showing what’s known as stranger awareness. They may cling to you or become uneasy around people they don’t recognise, handing them to a new caregiver can feel especially challenging because your baby isn’t yet confident you’ll return. This pattern is backed by longitudinal research tracking “stranger fear” trajectories in infancy PMC Study.

3. Big leaps in physical independence
As babies learn to crawl, stand, and explore more freely, they face a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Moving away from you physically can feel both empowering and scary. This push-and-pull of independence often intensifies separation anxiety during this stage.

4. How can Separation Anxiety in Babies Affect Sleep

Your baby becomes fussy or cries when you enter or leave the room.
Around 8 months, your baby may only settle for sleep while being held, as they may also be going through the 8-month sleep regression.
At 12 months, naps or bedtime can trigger crying when being laid down or when you step away.
By 18 months, your child may take shorter naps or struggle to fall asleep independently.
Around 2 years old, night wakings may increase, even if sleep was previously steady.
Your toddler may resist bedtime more than usual, showing frustration or anxiety.

These behaviours are normal developmental responses and usually improve with consistent routines and gentle reassurance.

Want to support your little one’s developoment and sleep while they explore the world? Check our sleep guides here.

5 Top Tips on How to Prevent Separation Anxiety in Babies

Now that you understand why separation anxiety happens, here are effective, nurturing ways of how to prevent separation anxiety in babies:

1. Build Predictable Daily Routines

Babies feel safest when they know what to expect. Consistent nap times, feeding times, bedtime routines, and even predictable goodbye rituals help create stability.

How it helps:
Predictability reduces stress and builds a strong sense of security, making separations smoother.

2. Practice Short, Positive Separations

Start small. Step out of the room for a minute, leave your baby with a trusted caregiver briefly, or practice short daycare drop-offs.

How it helps:
Gradual exposure teaches your baby that you always come back, which is key to helping prevent separation anxiety in babies over time.

3. Use a Calm, Confident Goodbye Ritual

Your baby takes cues from your emotions. A warm, consistent goodbye like a hug, phrase, or gentle wave can reassure them that they’re safe.

Avoid sneaking out, as it can undermine your baby’s trust and increase anxiety over time.

4. Offer a Comfort Item

A familiar blanket, soft toy, or piece of your clothing can help your baby feel secure when you leave.

How it helps:
Transitional objects remind your baby of you and reduce stress during separations.

5. Encourage Independent Play

Set up safe spaces where your baby can play and explore on their own while you stay nearby. Even a few minutes a day builds confidence.

How it helps:
Independent play helps your baby learn that they can enjoy and explore the world without being in constant physical contact with you

If you’d like tailored support to build calm, predictable routines and ease separation anxiety to help prevent separation anxiety in babies, explore our tailored one-on-one services here.

The Reassuring Truth

Even though separation anxiety can feel challenging, it’s a normal and temporary stage. It’s actually a sign that your baby feels connected to you and trusts you deeply. With calm reassurance, consistent routines, and small steps toward independence, you can help prevent separation anxiety in babies from becoming overwhelming. Over time, your little one will gain the confidence they need to handle separations including sleep more easily.

For guidance on separation anxiety in older children, check out our full guide here: Separation Anxiety in Children.

5 Reasons Why Does My Baby Make Growling Noises, and When Will It Stop?

by Iva Faulknerova | Nov 19, 2025 | baby speech development

TABLE OF CONTENT:

5 REASONS WHY YOUR BABY MAKE GROWLING NOISES

When Will my baby stop making Growling noises?

When Should You Be Concerned if Your Baby Make Growling Noises?

WHY DOES MY BABY MAKE GROWLING NOISES

If you’ve recently found yourself wondering, “Why does my baby make growling noises?”, you’re certainly not the only parent asking. These low, grumbly sounds can be surprising, sometimes even concerning, but the reassuring truth is that growling is usually a completely normal part of your baby’s development.

Interestingly, research shows that these noises are far more meaningful than they first appear. Studies have found that growls, squeals, and other early sounds are a key part of how babies practise vocal skills, communicate emotions, and prepare for speech. With that in mind, let’s explore why your baby might be growling, when it’s likely to stop, and what the science tells us about these early vocal habits.

💡 Want to support your baby’s sleep while they explore the world? Discover our Sleep Guide for Newborns for gentle, practical tips.

5 Reasons Why Your Baby Make Growling Noises.

1.Your Baby Is Exploring Their Voice

A 2024 study published in PLoS ONE examined the daily vocalisations of over 130 babies and discovered that infants don’t make random noises. Instead, they practise specific categories of sound, such as growls, squeals, and vowel-like noises, in deliberate clusters. Study link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38809807/

This means growling is simply part of how your baby learns the range of sounds they are capable of making.

2. Growling Helps Babies Express Emotion

Another study found that babies use different types of vocal sounds to express positive, neutral, or negative emotions, even before they develop words. Growling can therefore be your baby’s way of showing excitement, frustration, curiosity, or a desire for attention. Study link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23550164/

So if your baby is growling during play or while trying something new, it may simply be their early way of communicating their feelings.

3. Digestive Noises

Sometimes the noise isn’t vocal at all, it’s digestive. Babies commonly grunt or growl when:

Passing wind
Trying to poo
Feeling bowel movement
Experiencing normal tummy activity

This is especially common in younger infants as their digestive system matures.

4. Effort and Concentration

Babies often growl when they’re putting in physical effort, such as:

During tummy time
Trying to roll
Reaching for toys
Learning to sit

Just like adults might make effort noises when lifting something, babies do the same.

5. Their Individual Personality

Some babies naturally produce more growly sounds than others. If your baby make growling noises frequently but otherwise seems happy, content, and comfortable, it may simply be part of their unique personality. Some little ones just enjoy experimenting with deeper, grumbly sounds as they explore their voice.

💤 Need help with your baby’s sleep as they reach new milestones? Explore our Tailored Sleep Plans for personalised guidance designed to fit your family’s unique routine.

When Will my baby stop making the Growling noises?

Although every baby is unique, most follow a general pattern as they grow:

0–3 months: At this age, growling is usually linked to digestion and early sound play. Their tummy is still maturing, so it’s very normal to hear your baby make growling noises while they’re trying to poo, passing wind, or simply exploring their voice for the first time.

3–6 months: Growling becomes more purposeful. Your baby has realised they can make the sound, so they practise it. You might notice your little one growling when they’re excited, frustrated, or trying to get your attention. They’re experimenting with their voice and learning how to control different sounds.

6–12 months: Growling often starts to settle down as babbling takes over. Babies at this stage are busy experimenting with new sounds like “ba-ba,” “da-da,” and “ma-ma”, so the growling may naturally become less frequent.

12+ months: Most babies grow out of constant growling by their first birthday. They may still do it occasionally for fun, during play, or simply because it makes you laugh. As long as your baby make growling noises happily and without any signs of discomfort, it’s usually nothing to worry about.

When Should You Be Concerned if Your Baby Make Growling Noises?

In most cases, growling is completely normal, but there are times when it’s worth paying closer attention. You should speak to a healthcare professional if your baby make growling noises and you notice any of the following:

Breathing difficulties: Growling paired with wheezing, noisy breathing, or visible effort to breathe can signal an airway issue.
High-pitched inhaling: A sharp or squeaky sound when breathing in (known as stridor) should always be checked.
Persistent coughing: If coughs accompany the growling and don’t improve, it may indicate irritation or illness.
Feeding problems: Trouble feeding, choking, or frequent vomiting alongside the growling can suggest digestive discomfort or reflux.
Signs of pain or distress: If your baby seems unusually irritable, tense, or uncomfortable while growling, it’s best to get advice.
Lethargy or reduced responsiveness: Any drop in energy, alertness, or interest in usual activities alongside growling warrants prompt attention.

If your baby is otherwise happy, feeding well, and gaining weight normally, occasional growling is usually nothing to worry about. Trust your instincts, if something feels off, it’s always safe to check with your GP or paediatrician.

When Should You Be Concerned?

You should seek medical advice if growling comes with:

Laboured or noisy breathing
Wheezing
High-pitched inhaling
Feeding difficulties
Persistent coughing
Signs of distress or pain

Trust your parental instincts, if something doesn’t feel right, it’s always okay to check.

📝 Want to learn more about your baby’s development and behavior? Discover expert tips and advice in our Parenting Blog.

Why is Baby Fussy at 3 Months – 4 reasons and 4 solutions

by Iva Faulknerova | Aug 29, 2025 | cluster feeding and witching hour, growth spurt, newborn, breastfeeding, dummy, Sleep Regression

TABLE OF CONTENT:

1. Grow Spurts

2. Fussy Feeding or Baby Suddenly Refusing Feeds.

3. Sleep Disruption - Sleep Regression

4. Increased Alertness, Overstimulation and Sensory Development

Why Is Baby Fussy at 3 Months? 4 Common Reasons and What You Can Do

If you’ve been wondering, “Why is baby fussy at 3 months?”, you’re certainly not alone. Many parents find this stage unexpectedly challenging. Just as you start to get into a rhythm, your little one may become unsettled, crying more, baby refusing feeds, or struggling to sleep.

The good news is that this behaviour is perfectly normal and often part of healthy development. Below are 4 common reasons your baby might be fussy at 3 months, along with 4 practical solutions to help ease the fussiness.

1. Growth Spurts

At around 3 months, babies often go through a growth spurt, which can make them hungrier, fussier, and more difficult to settle. You might notice changes in feeding and sleeping patterns.

Solution:
Offer feeds more frequently, even if it hasn’t been long since the last one. Growth spurts usually last just a few days, so be patient and give your baby plenty of comfort and rest. More on grow spurts here.

💤 Need help with your baby’s sleep as they reach new milestones? Explore our Tailored Sleep Plans for personalised guidance designed to fit your family’s unique routine.

2. Fussy Feeding or Baby Refusing Feeds

It’s quite common for 3-month-old babies to refuse the breast or bottle, feed for shorter periods, or fuss during mealtimes. This could be due to distractions, trapped wind, teething discomfort, or changes in milk flow.

Solution:
Try feeding in a quiet, calm environment to reduce distractions. Hold your baby upright and ensure proper winding during and after feeds. If bottle-feeding, experiment with different teat flows. If breastfeeding, check your latch and milk flow or speak to a health visitor for support.

3. Sleep Disruption – sleep regression

Your baby’s sleep cycles begin to mature around this time, which can cause them to wake more frequently, resist naps, or become overtired. This sleep regression can lead to crankiness and more frequent crying.

Solution:
Start a gentle bedtime routine, such as a warm bath, soft lullabies, and low lighting to help your baby wind down. Try to stick to consistent nap times and watch for early tired signs like yawning or rubbing eyes. More on 4 months sleep regression here.

Take a look at our affordable sleep guides, designed to support you through every stage of your baby’s sleep journey.

4. Increased alertness, Overstimulation and Sensory Development

At 3 months, babies become far more aware of their surroundings. They may be fascinated by lights, faces, and sounds, but this sudden increase in sensory input can also lead to overstimulation and baby fussy at 3 months.

Solution:
If your baby seems overwhelmed, hold them close in a quiet, dimly lit room. Gentle rocking, skin-to-skin contact, or a walk in the pram can be soothing. Keep stimulation low, especially before naps and bedtime.

Final Thoughts

So, why is baby fussy at 3 months? Often, it’s a combination of growth, feeding changes, sleep shifts, and new sensory experiences. While it can feel exhausting, rest assured it’s all part of your baby’s development, and it will pass.

Respond with patience, offer plenty of comfort, and don’t hesitate to seek advice from your health professional or a sleep consultant if you’re unsure. You know your baby best, and you’re doing a great job.

Remember: You are not alone. You are not doing anything wrong. And this will get better.

Helpful Resources:

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