10 Common Baby Sleep Mistakes Parents Make (& How to Fix)
Written by: Dianne Pepito
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Published on
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Time to read 9 min
8 min read Updated
TL;DR
Why does my baby wake up crying every time their sleep cycle ends?
If your baby requires a specific action to fall asleep (like being rocked, bounced, or fed) they develop a reliance on those "sleep props". When they naturally wake in the middle of the night, they haven't developed the self-soothing skills to drift back off and will cry until you recreate that exact environment. The goal is to put them down drowsy, but awake.
Will pushing bedtime later help my baby sleep later into the morning?
Counterintuitively, no. Keeping a baby up past their ideal sleep window triggers a stress response, causing their body to release adrenaline to fight the fatigue. This results in an overtired, wired baby who is harder to put down and more likely to experience fragmented, restless sleep.
How do I keep my baby comfortably warm in the crib without using dangerous blankets?
Because loose bedding is a major safety hazard, the safest and most effective way to regulate your baby's temperature is by using a wearable baby sleeping sack. By matching the sack's TOG rating to your nursery’s temperature, you prevent night wakings caused by your baby being too hot or too cold.
My toddler is trying to climb out of the crib; should I immediately switch to a toddler bed?
Rushing this transition before they are developmentally ready (usually between ages 2.5 and 3) is a common trap that leads to a toddler constantly wandering out of their room. Instead, lower the crib mattress completely and dress them in a toddler-sized sleep sack, which gently restricts their ability to swing their legs over the rail.
If you're a new parent, understanding common sleep mistakes before you hit a wall of exhaustion is crucial. By identifying these pitfalls early, you can make informed decisions and create healthy sleep habits from the start.
Here are the most common baby sleep mistakes and what to do instead.
1. Relying on Nighttime "Sleep Props"
If you regularly rock, bounce, or feed your baby until they are completely asleep, you are creating a "sleep prop." While this provides comfort in the newborn stage, your baby will eventually become dependent on these actions to fall asleep. When they inevitably wake up in the middle of the night between sleep cycles, they won't know how to self-soothe and will cry out for you to recreate that environment.
The Fix: Try putting your baby into their crib when they are drowsy, but still awake. This gentle shift helps them learn how to drift off independently.
2. Skipping a Consistent Bedtime Routine
Babies thrive on predictability. Skipping a wind-down routine means your baby doesn't get the physical and environmental cues they need to know it’s time to sleep.
The Fix: Establish a calming, 20-to-30-minute routine that you do in the same order every night. A warm bath, changing into a cozy sleep sack, a quiet story, and dimming the lights will signal to your baby’s brain that it is time to rest. For more routine ideas, check out our tips & tricks for a restful night.
3. Putting Baby to Bed Too Late
It’s a common misconception that keeping a baby awake longer will tire them out and help them sleep later into the morning. In reality, overtired children simply do not sleep as well as rested children, which can cause them to wake when they enter light stages of sleep. When a baby stays up too late, their body releases cortisol and adrenaline to fight the fatigue, resulting in a wired, fussy baby who fights sleep.
The Fix: Watch for early sleepy cues like staring off into space, pulling at their ears, or yawning. Put them down before they become fussy.
4. Rushing in at the First Peep
It is a parent's instinct to rush to the crib the second their baby makes a noise. However, babies are incredibly noisy sleepers. They grunt, sigh, and even cry out briefly while transitioning between sleep cycles. If you rush in and pick them up, you might actually be waking them up from a sound sleep.
The Fix: Unless it is a distressed cry, pause for a minute or two before going in. You might be surprised to find that they settle right back to sleep on their own.
5. Ignoring Room Temperature and TOG Ratings
Many parents accidentally overdress or underdress their babies for the nursery temperature. Babies can’t regulate their body heat as well as adults, and waking up sweaty or shivering is a surefire way to ruin a night of sleep.
The Fix: Keep the nursery between 68°F and 72°F (20°C to 22°C). More importantly, pay attention to the TOG rating of your baby’s sleepwear. Use a lightweight, low-TOG sleeping sack in the warmer months, and a quilted, winter-weight sleep bag for chilly nights.
6. Using Loose Blankets and Unsafe Bedding
In an effort to make the crib look cute and cozy, some parents add loose blankets, pillows, or padded crib bumpers. Not only is this a major safety hazard that goes against safe sleep guidelines, but it can also disrupt sleep if the baby gets tangled.
The Fix: Keep the crib completely bare. A firm mattress with a tight-fitting sheet is all you need. To keep your baby warm, use a wearable blanket or baby sleeping sack instead of loose bedding.
7. Ditching the Swaddle Too Soon (or Too Late)
Swaddling mimics the snug environment of the womb, which suppresses the startle reflex that often wakes newborns. However, stopping cold turkey can cause a massive sleep disruption, while swaddling for too long (once baby can roll over) is dangerous.
The Fix:Transition out of the swaddle gradually once your baby shows signs of rolling over. Move to a transitional sleep sack that allows their arms to be free while keeping their torso and legs snug and secure.
8. Letting Baby Sleep Just Anywhere
While on-the-go naps in the stroller or car seat are unavoidable sometimes, making them a habit is a mistake. Sleep in a moving environment is often fragmented and not as restorative. Furthermore, experts emphasize that a car seat should only be used in the car, as letting a baby sleep in a car seat on the floor can lead to positional asphyxiation.
The Fix: Aim for the majority of your baby's sleep to happen in their dark, quiet, and stationary crib or bassinet.
9. Rushing the Transition to a Toddler Bed
Moving your little one to a toddler bed before they are developmentally ready (usually before age 2.5 to 3) is a recipe for a jack-in-the-box toddler who constantly wanders out of their room.
The Fix: Keep your child in a crib as long as it is safe to do so. If they are trying to climb out, try lowering the mattress all the way down and putting them in a toddler-sized sleep sack, which gently restricts their ability to swing a leg over the crib rail. If you aren't sure about the timing, read our guide on when to transition out of a sleep sack and into a big kid bed.
10. Having Unrealistic Expectations
By 6 months, you can reasonably expect that the majority of babies will be sleeping a good, long chunk at night, but every child is different. Expecting a newborn to sleep 12 hours straight will only leave you frustrated. Sleep regressions, growth spurts, and teething will all cause temporary disruptions.
The Fix: Give yourself & your baby some peacefulness. Understand that sleep is a developmental milestone that takes practice, patience, and consistency.
How to Establish Healthy Sleep Habits Gently
Nobody wants to put their little one through more distress than necessary. If you want to avoid controversial sleep training practices, there are gentle ways to help your baby learn healthy sleep habits:
Gradual Extinction: This involves gradually decreasing your involvement in the middle of the night. Start by cutting down the amount of physical contact you make, slowly moving further away from the crib each night until your child can fall asleep without you present. Experts often note that it's easiest to start gently sleep training a baby between the ages of six and 12 months.
Routine Adjustment: Stagger meals and naps throughout the day so that your baby has the right amount of sleep pressure at night. Reduce screen time and highly stimulating activities right before bed.
Gentle Connections: Aim for a balance between providing reassurance and allowing room for independence. Create dedicated times during the day for cuddling, ensuring their emotional tank is full before the lights go out.
With the right approach, gentle guidance, and the right safe-sleep apparel, you and your baby will soon be enjoying a blissful night's sleep.
FAQ: All About Sleep Mistakes & Solutions
What is the most common baby sleep mistake?
The most common mistake is creating "sleep props," such as rocking or feeding a baby completely to sleep. This prevents the baby from learning how to self-soothe when they naturally wake up between sleep cycles during the night.
Does keeping my baby awake during the day help them sleep at night?
No. Keeping a baby awake during the day leads to an overtired baby. Overtired babies produce cortisol and adrenaline to fight fatigue, making it much harder for them to fall asleep and stay asleep at night.
How do I know if my baby is overtired?
Signs of an overtired baby include frantic crying, arching their back, pulling at their ears, rubbing their eyes, and rigid, clenched fists. The key is to put them to bed at the first sign of drowsiness, before they become overtired.
When should I establish a baby bedtime routine?
You can start a simple bedtime routine as early as 6 to 8 weeks old. A consistent routine of a bath, book, and sleep sack helps signal to your baby’s brain that it is time to wind down.
Is it a mistake to rock my baby to sleep every night?
While it is perfectly fine for newborns, rocking an older baby completely to sleep every night can become a habit that is hard to break. It is best to rock them until they are drowsy, but place them in their crib while they are still slightly awake.
How should I dress my baby for sleep to avoid waking?
Dress your baby according to the room temperature using TOG-rated sleep sacks. A room between 68°F and 72°F is ideal. Use a lighter TOG for summer and a thicker, quilted TOG for winter to prevent them from waking up too hot or too cold.
Should I rush in as soon as my baby cries at night?
Not necessarily. Babies are noisy and active sleepers. If they let out a brief cry or whimper, wait a minute or two to see if they resettle on their own before going in.
When is it time to stop swaddling my baby?
You should stop swaddling as soon as your baby shows signs of attempting to roll over, which usually happens around 2 to 4 months of age. Transition to a wearable blanket or sleep sack to keep their arms free and safe.
Is it safe to use loose blankets in the crib?
No. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises keeping all loose blankets, pillows, and bumpers out of the crib to reduce the risk of SIDS. Instead, use a tightly fitted sheet and a baby sleep sack for warmth.
How many naps should my baby be taking?
Nap needs change rapidly. Newborns may take 4 to 5 naps a day, while a 6-month-old usually takes 2 to 3 naps. By 15 to 18 months, most toddlers transition to a single afternoon nap. Ensure naps are consistent to protect nighttime sleep.
