Child Wakes Up at Night – 5 Common Causes and Tips
Waking up at night is part of childhood – but when it becomes a nightly occurrence, it wears down the entire family. The good news: In most cases, there's a clear, remediable cause behind it.
Cause 1: Incorrect Sleep Association
If your child only falls asleep in the evening with your help – while nursing, rocking, or stroking – then they will need exactly these conditions at night too, when they briefly wake up between sleep cycles. They cannot fall back asleep on their own.
Tip: Put your child to bed drowsy but still awake. This way, they learn to fall asleep on their own – and to fall back asleep on their own.
Cause 2: Hunger
For children under 18 months, night hunger is common. From 18 months onward, a healthy child is physiologically capable of sleeping through the night without a night feeding.
Tip: Make sure dinner was sufficient. A small meal right before sleep can help.
Cause 3: Environmental Stimuli
Noise, light, warmth – children react more sensitively to environmental stimuli than adults. A passing car, light under the door, or a too-warm sleep environment can be enough to interrupt sleep.
Tip: Darken the room, keep the temperature at 18 degrees Celsius, minimize noise sources.
Cause 4: Developmental Leaps and Teething
During developmental leaps, the child's brain is highly active – which disturbs sleep. Teething causes pain that is felt more intensely at night.
Tip: Patience – developmental leaps usually last one to three weeks. For teething pain, a teething gel or a cooled teething ring can help.
Cause 5: Separation Anxiety
Between 18 months and 3 years, separation anxiety is most common. Your child knows you are leaving – but is not yet sure that you will return. Waking up at night is a call for reassurance.
Tip: Clear goodbyes in the evening, consistent behavior when waking up at night. A "guardian" – a stuffed animal that "watches over" – can help.
What Generally Helps
- Maintain consistent bedtimes
- Consistently follow an evening routine
- Put the child to bed awake
- When waking up at night, briefly soothe without picking them up
- Optimize the sleep environment
Frequently Asked Questions
When should a child sleep through the night?
Most children can physiologically sleep through the night from 6 months. Many only do so regularly from 12 to 18 months.
How often is waking up at night normal?
Up to twice a night is considered normal up to the age of two. More than three times a night for several weeks requires intervention.
What to do if nothing helps?
A sleep consultation at the University Children's Hospital Zurich or a Mothers and Fathers Counseling Center can help.
The Most Important Things at a Glance
Night waking almost always has a cause. The most common: incorrect sleep association. With the right adjustments, most children sleep significantly better within one to two weeks.
Sources: University Children's Hospital Zurich; German Society for Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine (DGSM); School Medical Service City of Zurich, Status 03/2025.
