Newborn Won’t Sleep? Here’s What’s Really Going On + How to Calm the Chaos
Those first weeks with your baby can feel tender, beautiful… and exhausting.
If your newborn won’t sleep, or only sleeps in short stretches, or cries the moment you put them down — you’re not alone. And more importantly, nothing is “wrong.”
As a newborn sleep coach and doula, I help families understand the root cause of newborn sleeplessness so they can move from overwhelm to calm, predictable rhythms. Here’s what I teach my clients when sleep feels impossible.
1. Your Newborn’s Nervous System Isn’t Fully Mature Yet
Newborns aren’t supposed to sleep like older babies. Their brain and nervous system are still learning regulation, so sleep happens in light, short cycles.
The fix:
Create an environment that mimics the womb:
dim lighting
warm, cozy swaddle
gentle motion
white noise
These sensory cues help their body switch from “alert” to “rest.”
2. Wake Windows Are Probably Too Long
The #1 reason newborns won’t sleep?
Overtiredness.
Newborn wake windows are tiny — often just 45–60 minutes.
When they stay awake too long, cortisol rises, and settling becomes harder.
Try this:
Shorten wake windows by 10–15 minutes for 48 hours.
Most parents see changes almost immediately.
3. Your Baby Is Missing Early Sleep Cues
By the time they’re fussy or arching, it’s too late — they’re overtired.
Look for the soft cues instead:
zoning out
slight pink eyebrows
staring into space
turning head away
Matching the moment makes a huge difference.
4. Your Baby Wants Contact — and That’s Normal
Contact sleep isn’t a habit you need to break.
It’s biology.
Babies sleep best on a warm chest with a steady heartbeat.
You’re not spoiling your baby by holding them — you’re regulating their nervous system.
If you need a break, use:
a wrap carrier
a warm crib sheet
the “transfer in stages” method (I can teach you this)
5. Feeding + Sleep Are Deeply Connected
Sometimes a newborn isn’t sleeping because they’re:
cluster feeding
snacking instead of taking full feeds
going through a growth spurt
A small tweak in feeding rhythm can dramatically improve sleep.
6. Evening Fussiness Peaks at Weeks 5–6
It’s not just your baby — almost all newborns do this.
This is the “witching hour,” where the nervous system gets overstimulated.
Soothing tools that help:
low light
warm bath
slower movements
skin-to-skin
carrier nap
Evenings get easier, I promise.
When to Ask for Support
If sleep has felt overwhelming for weeks, or you're second-guessing every nap, you don’t need to navigate this alone.
Inside Eden & Embrace, I offer gentle, evidence-informed newborn sleep support for families who want rhythms that feel calm, connected, and doable.
Newborn Starter Session ($97)
A 60–90 min virtual consult with customized guidance + a written plan.
Eat & Sleep Transformation ($1,222)
Full concierge sleep coaching with personalized plans, environmental assessment, log reviews, and ongoing support.
Inside the Nursery: 5–24 Months Course
A step-by-step approach to gentle, sustainable sleep rhythms.
You don’t need perfect—just support that makes sense.
Your baby can sleep better.
And you deserve rest, clarity, and a rhythm that feels peaceful again.
If you’re ready to get support, you can book here:
👉 Newborn Starter Session
👉 Eden Sleep Transformation
👉 Inside the Nursery Course