Good Night, Baby · Bonus 14 🎁

Sleep Crisis
Quick Tips

It's 2 AM and nothing is working. Keep this card close — it won't fix everything, but it will remind you what to try next.

🤍
You're not failing. Sleep is a skill — for baby and for you.
🌙 Won't Fall Asleep
⏰ Hourly Wakings
🌅 Early Waking
😤 Nap Resistance
😰 Regression
😭 Bedtime Meltdown
By Crisis Type
🌙
Baby Won't
Fall Asleep
  • ✦
    Check the wake window May be undertired — try 15–20 extra min of awake time
  • ✦
    Darken the room fully Even small light sources can keep baby alert
  • ✦
    Add or increase white noise Should be around 55–65 dB, consistent throughout
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    Try a short "reset walk" 5 min of motion, then place drowsy in crib
  • ✦
    Offer a top-up feed Hunger is often missed, especially during growth spurts
⏰
Waking Every
Hour at Night
  • ✦
    Pause before responding Wait 1–2 min — baby may resettle on their own
  • ✦
    Keep lights off and voice low Bright light signals "morning" to baby's brain
  • ✦
    Avoid creating new associations Don't introduce nursing if it wasn't the routine
  • ✦
    Check for developmental leaps Weeks 5, 8, 12, 19, 26... disruptions are normal
  • ✦
    Review bedtime timing Too late = overtired = more night wakings
🌅
Early Morning
Waking (Before 6 AM)
  • ✦
    Block every bit of light Sunrise light at 5 AM is the #1 early waker
  • ✦
    Move bedtime earlier by 15 min Paradoxically, earlier bedtime = later wake-up
  • ✦
    Don't rush in immediately Give 5–10 min — baby may fall back asleep
  • ✦
    Don't start the day before 6 AM Avoid turning on lights or feeding right away
  • ✦
    Check nap schedule Last nap ending too early can cause early rising
😤
Nap
Resistance
  • ✦
    Check the wake window May be overtired or not tired enough yet
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    Use the same pre-nap ritual as bedtime Consistency trains the brain to expect sleep
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    Try a "crib hour" if nap is refused Baby rests quietly, even if not sleeping
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    Notice if a nap transition is happening Consistent refusal for 1–2 wks = time to drop a nap
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    Shorten the pre-nap wind-down Sometimes less stimulation before = easier sleep
😰
Sleep
Regression
  • ✦
    Know the common regression ages 4 months, 8–10 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2 years
  • ✦
    Hold the routine tight Consistency is the fastest way through it
  • ✦
    Offer more connection during the day Extra daytime closeness can reduce night anxiety
  • ✦
    Remind yourself it's temporary Most regressions last 2–6 weeks
  • ✦
    Don't start habits you can't sustain Whatever you do tonight, you'll do for weeks
😭
Bedtime
Meltdown
  • ✦
    Stay calm — your nervous system regulates theirs Slow breath, low voice, slow movements
  • ✦
    Check if baby is overtired Meltdowns often mean bedtime window was missed
  • ✦
    Hold and rock briefly, then put down It's okay to comfort — just aim to put down drowsy
  • ✦
    Dim everything, including your phone screen Light makes the brain think it's still day
  • ✦
    Try skin-to-skin if other things fail Especially for babies under 4 months
The 4-Step Crisis Protocol
When nothing is working — do this in order
1
Pause & Breathe
Take 3 slow breaths before doing anything. Your calm is contagious.
2
Check the Basics
Diaper. Hunger. Temperature. Pain (teething, gas). In that order.
3
Reset the Environment
Full darkness. White noise up. Room at 68–72°F. Remove stimulation.
4
Pick One Technique
Steady hand. Rocking. Walk. Skin-to-skin. Stick to one for 10 min before switching.
✦
Say This to Yourself
"This night will end. The sun will come up. I've done this before."
"Baby is not giving me a hard time. Baby is having a hard time."
"One rough night doesn't erase all the progress we've made."
✦
⚕️ When to Talk to Your Pediatrician
Baby seems in pain and can't be consoled
Snoring, gasping, or pauses in breathing during sleep
Sudden dramatic sleep change with no obvious cause
Baby isn't gaining weight or is feeding very poorly
You're so sleep-deprived it's affecting your safety
Rashes, fever, or other physical symptoms alongside sleep issues

You are the right parent
for this baby.

No one knows your baby the way you do. Trust that instinct, use these tools as a guide, and give yourself the same grace you'd give a good friend going through the same thing.