Is My Baby Waking From Hunger or Habit?

It can be so challenging trying to resettle your bub in the middle of the night, especially when you don’t know why they’re awake (again 😩).

Are they genuinely hungry? Or is it habit? And how are you supposed to respond confidently if you’re not sure?

One of the most important foundations of successful resettling is knowing that your baby’s needs have been met. A hungry bub simply won’t resettle, no matter what your approach is. 

Let’s break it down so you can feel clearer and more confident overnight 🌙

When babies wake overnight, it’s easy to second guess yourself. Feeding “just in case” can sometimes mask the real reason for waking or even reinforce a wake at this time, while attempting to resettle a hungry baby will be near impossible. 

Before trying to resettle, we want to be confident that:

• your baby has had adequate milk (and solids if age appropriate)

• their environment is supportive, comfortable and familiar

• their wake isn’t driven by a genuine need

Once we have the confidence that bub’s needs have been met, resettling becomes far more effective.

Signs Your Bub Is Waking Due to Habit

Some overnight wakes are learned patterns rather than actual needs. Your bub may be waking out of habit if you notice:

🌟 waking at a consistent time each night

🌟 feeding sleepily or for comfort with inactive or fluttery sucking

🌟 waking 2 to 4 hourly overnight due to a sleep association

🌟 restlessness while sleeping (this can also be a sign they’re cold, so always check layers)

Signs Your Bub Is Waking Due to Hunger

Other wakes are very real and very valid.

Your baby may be hungry if you notice:

🌟 wake frequency changing depending on daytime intake (less feeds or solids during the day often leads to more night waking)

🌟 feeding hungrily and actively rather than drifting off or feeding to resettle

🌟 difficulty resettling without a feed

🌟 waking again shortly after being resettled

Trust the Clues Your Baby Is Giving You

There’s no one size fits all answer, and hunger and habit can even overlap during different stages of development. The key is knowing the signs of both allowing you to respond with confidence.

When you understand the reason behind the wake, overnight settling becomes less stressful, more intuitive, and far more effective ✨

If night waking feels confusing or exhausting right now, you’re not doing anything wrong. You’re simply gathering information, and that’s a powerful place to start ⭐️

Still feeling unsure? Post any questions or comments below