Red Flags: When Your Baby’s Sleep May Need Extra Support

As a holistic sleep consultant, I know that most babies wake during the night for completely normal reasons — feeding, comfort, or development. However, in some cases, frequent or prolonged sleep disruption can indicate that something more is going on.

If your instinct tells you that your baby’s sleep seems different, trust it. Research shows that a parent’s intuition is often right. This guide will help you understand some possible underlying causes and when it might be time to seek further support from a health professional.

When to Suspect There’s More Behind Your Baby’s Sleep Challenges

If your baby (especially over 12 months old) is waking hourly for several months and nothing seems to help, it might be time to look deeper. Sometimes frequent night waking can be linked to:

• Undiagnosed tongue tie

• Food sensitivities or digestive discomfort

• Breathing or airway issues

Speaking to your GP, health visitor, or a specialist can help identify and address these issues so your little one (and you!) can rest easier.

Mouth Breathing, Snoring or Pauses in Breathing

Babies and toddlers should sleep with their mouths closed, breathing gently through their noses. This supports healthy oxygen flow and restful sleep.

If your child is consistently mouth breathing, snoring, or you notice pauses in breathing, it could be a sign of sleep-disordered breathing or enlarged tonsils. Persistent mouth breathing (when your child isn’t unwell or congested) is worth investigating.

Possible referrals: GP or ENT specialist

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Tongue Tie

A tongue tie occurs when the tissue connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth is unusually tight or short. This can affect feeding, swallowing, and even sleep, as your baby may struggle to keep their mouth closed or settle comfortably.

Signs of a tongue tie can include:

• Clicking or leaking milk during feeds

• Struggling to stay latched

• Frequent waking due to hunger

• Difficulty lying flat or sleeping with their mouth closed

Possible referral: Tongue tie specialist. You can find a qualified tongue tie specialist here

Food Intolerance

Food sensitivities can be a hidden cause of disturbed sleep. Common triggers include dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, nuts, and fish. These may lead to tummy discomfort, reflux-like symptoms, or skin irritation such as eczema.

Eczema flare-ups can also cause poor sleep — and triggers may include not only food but also irritants like soaps, wool, or chlorine.

If you suspect food intolerance or allergy, keep a symptom diary and speak to your GP, who may refer you to an allergy clinic.

Possible referral: GP or allergy specialist

Unusual Fatigue in the Day

If your child seems unusually tired despite getting plenty of sleep, it could indicate that they’re not reaching deep, restorative stages of sleep. Conditions such as obstructive sleep apnoea or periodic limb movement disorder may cause fragmented sleep and tiredness.

Possible referrals: GP, ENT specialist, or health visitor

Night Sweats

Occasional sweating at night can be normal — some children are naturally warmer. However, new or excessive night sweats should be checked by your doctor, as they can sometimes indicate low blood sugar or other medical conditions.

Possible referral: GP

 Eating Challenges or Food Aversions

If your child avoids whole food groups, is fearful of eating, or eats fewer than 20–30 foods regularly, they may not be getting the nutrients they need. Low iron levels, in particular, can impact sleep quality.

Sensory issues can also contribute to selective eating and may benefit from professional assessment.

Possible referrals: GP, dietitian, speech and language therapist, or occupational therapist

Restless Sleep or Jerky Movements

Some wriggling at night is normal, but constant movement or new jerky patterns should be monitored. Try to record what you see and share it with your GP — it may be linked to low iron or another sleep-related condition.

Possible referral: GP

Frequent or Prolonged Illness

Frequent illness, recurring infections, or unexplained low energy can all interfere with sleep. Sometimes issues such as ear infections or urinary tract infections may cause disrupted sleep without obvious symptoms.

Possible referral: GP

Final Thoughts

While it’s easy to worry, remember that most sleep issues in babies are completely normal and part of their development. But if your gut tells you something more might be happening, trust it — you know your child best.

If you’d like holistic guidance on your baby’s sleep, including gentle, responsive strategies that work alongside medical advice, my online sleep support courses and 1:1 consultations can help you build healthy sleep habits with confidence and care.