Short answer: A baby who suddenly wakes every hour is usually reacting to something that changed: a developmental step, hunger or a growth spurt, teething, illness, separation anxiety, or a sleep habit (such as being fed or rocked to sleep) that they now need again each time they surface between sleep cycles. It is very common, and it is usually temporary. Rule out illness first, then look at what your baby needs to fall back asleep.
Is it normal for a baby to wake every hour?
Night waking is normal in the first year, and many babies under 6 months still need to feed at night. Every baby moves through cycles of lighter and deeper sleep and briefly surfaces between them. Whether they drift back off by themselves or call for you often depends on age, hunger, comfort, and how they fell asleep in the first place. A run of hourly waking that suddenly starts is not a sign that you have done something wrong.
Common causes by age
3–5 months
- More alert, lighter sleep: around this age many families notice more waking (often called the “4-month sleep regression”; see what we know about sleep regressions).
- Hunger: night feeds are still normal; a growth spurt can temporarily increase them.
- Falling asleep fully fed or rocked: your baby may need the same help to resettle every time they surface.
6–8 months
- New skills: rolling, sitting and crawling can disturb sleep for a while.
- Teething: often blamed, sometimes true — look for daytime signs as well (see teething).
- Starting solids and changing feeds: daytime eating patterns can shift night waking.
8–12 months
- Separation anxiety: your baby now notices when you are gone and calls for you.
- Standing in the cot and not knowing how to get back down.
- Nap changes: too little or too late daytime sleep can make nights more broken.
Check these first
- Is your baby unwell? A cold, ear pain or fever can cause frequent waking. See fever in babies and children.
- Room conditions: dark, quiet, and a comfortable temperature (the Lullaby Trust recommends 16–20 °C).
- Daytime rhythm: enough daylight, activity and naps, without a very long nap late in the afternoon.
What you can try
- Keep night-time boring. Low light, few words, no play. Feed if your baby needs feeding.
- Pause briefly before going in. Some babies grumble and resettle on their own within a minute or two. If they are clearly upset, go to them.
- Look at how bedtime ends. If your baby always falls asleep feeding or being rocked, practising falling asleep in the cot at bedtime often helps the rest of the night too. See how to help your baby fall asleep on their own.
- Change one thing at a time and give it about a week before judging.
- Share the load. Take turns with a partner, or ask someone to take the early morning so you can sleep a stretch.
Whatever you try, keep following safer sleep advice: on the back, in a clear and flat sleep space, in your room for at least the first six months. If you are very tired, avoid falling asleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair.
When to call your GP, health visitor or out-of-hours service
- Your baby has a high temperature, breathing difficulties, a rash, or seems floppy, unusually drowsy or unwell.
- Your baby is feeding much less than usual, has fewer wet nappies, or is not gaining weight.
- The crying sounds different (for example high-pitched or weak) or your baby cannot be comforted.
- You are struggling to cope. Ongoing exhaustion and low mood deserve support — see postnatal depression vs baby blues.
In an emergency, call your local emergency number (for example 999 in the UK, 911 in the US or 112 in the EU).
Related reading
Want a step-by-step plan? From Bedtime Battles to Sweet Dreams (PDF, English) is a calm, practical guide to better sleep for babies and toddlers aged 0–36 months.
Sources
- NHS — Helping your baby to sleep.
- NHS Best Start in Life — Your baby's sleep patterns.
- NHS — Separation anxiety.
- The Lullaby Trust — Safer sleep information.
- NHS — Postnatal depression.
Written by the Bloom Guides editorial team. Last updated: 20 October 2026. General information only — not a substitute for advice from your health visitor or doctor.