How infant sleep issues may affect you
Signs and symptoms of infant sleep issues can manifest in different ways, but these are the common ones to watch out for:
Frequent night waking. Your baby wakes up multiple times throughout the night and find it difficult to get back to sleep.
Trouble falling asleep. Bedtime can become a real struggle with your baby, leading to fussiness or tears.
Short naps. Your baby only sleeps very briefly, making them cranky and overtired.
No set sleep schedule. Infants may not have a consistent sleep schedule. This means unpredictable wake-up times and sleep durations for your baby.
Fighting sleep. Despite feeling tired, your baby does not want to go to bed. They often cry and do not want to settle down.
Daytime crankiness. If your baby looks sleepy and irritable during the day, it might mean that they're not getting enough sleep at night.
Hard to wake up. If your baby has a very long sleep, and it's difficult to wake them up in the morning, it means they didn't get a good night's sleep.
Having a new baby in the family is a fantastic experience. It is a mix of pure joy, excitement, and awe. However, this can also involve a whirlwind of emotions with feelings of uncertainty and exhaustion.
The first time you hold your little one, you feel a new kind of love and connection that is utterly magical. On the other side of the coin, you know that you took on a responsibility that you should get right. The tiny person depends entirely on you and your partner.
When it comes to sleep, having a baby requires you to adjust to new routines. It's normal for your baby to have unpredictable, interrupted sleep patterns, leaving you and your child very tired.
Especially for new parents, you try to find ways to soothe and calm your baby down, only to discover that what works today won't work tomorrow. It will frustrate you when you struggle to put the child to sleep, hence, it will take a toll on your energy and daily life.
About infant sleep issues
Infant sleep issues are the challenges babies have with falling asleep, staying asleep, and getting a restful sleep that they need.
While having rough nights are normal as babies start to grow, ongoing issues can interfere with their mood, growth, and development, and even the well-being of the parents.
Triggers and causes of infant sleep issues
If your baby is having trouble sleeping, there are a few things that might be causing it:
Growth spurts. Babies go through different growth stages that can mess with their sleep, making them restless or more wakeful.
Teething. When those little teeth start coming in, it can be pretty uncomfortable and disrupt their sleep.
Being sick. If your baby’s got a cold, ear infection, or anything else, it can mess up their sleep.
Hunger. If they’re not getting enough to eat during the day, they might wake up more often at night wanting to feed.
Room conditions. Noise, too much light, or the room being too hot or cold can make it hard for your baby to sleep well.
Irregular routines. If bedtime and nap times are erratic, it can confuse your baby’s internal clock and make it harder for them to settle down.
Too much stimulation. If they’ve been too active or excited right before bed, it can be difficult for them to wind down.
Sleep habits. If your baby’s used to falling asleep in a specific way, like being rocked or fed, they might have trouble if things change.
Help from a psychologist for infant sleep issues
As parents, it is normal to face sleep issues with your babies at some point. But sometimes, there's something more going on under the surface that you didn't know yet. Medical conditions like fevers, allergies, breathing problems can also disrupt sleep.
Getting to the bottom of these issues is important for your baby's overall well-being. Our psychologists at Someone Health help you shed light on infant sleep issues and get you, your partner, and your baby back to achieving high-quality sleep.
Psychologists available online
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Frequently asked questions
Is telehealth right for me if I'm having a mental health crisis?
Telehealth works well for mild to moderate mental health concerns. It is not designed for a mental health crisis or an acute episode. Some examples are:
- Psychosis (losing touch with reality, or having thoughts and beliefs that are not based in reality)
- A manic episode (racing thoughts, little need for sleep, and taking big risks)
- A severe eating disorder that needs medical care
- A serious risk of harming yourself or someone else
Because we are a telehealth service, we cannot manage these situations safely. If you are in crisis, please get help in person.
If you are having thoughts of suicide and need urgent support, see your GP. They can assess you and refer you to the right in-person service.
If you feel at risk of acting on these thoughts, or you cannot keep yourself safe, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department. You can also call Lifeline any time on 13 11 14.
Once you are safe and you have the support you need in person, we welcome you to book with us for ongoing care.
How will I know the therapy is working for me?
It will not always be obvious and it could be gradual. But when you start feeling better, then that means that the therapy is working.You'll also be able to see things more clearly as you progress with your talk therapy. Healing, however, is not always so clear-cut. There will always be ups and downs. If that happens, you can talk to your psychologist about your progress and be open with what you're feeling.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Are all your psychologists registered?
Australia has regulatory bodies to ensure we maintain consistent and high standards across the psychology profession.Yes. They are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), listed with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), and individually selected and monitored by Someone Health's expert clinical team.
How long does it take to see a psychologist?
It depends on the psychologist you choose and how your sessions are funded.Once you have signed up and we have verified your details, you can choose a psychologist and book a time that suits you. Availability varies by psychologist and funding option, and Find a psychologist shows each psychologist's next available appointment.
Can a psychologist prescribe medication?
Only your GP or a psychiatrist can prescribe medication.Medication can only be prescribed by medical doctors, which includes general practitioners (GPs) and psychiatrists.
If you need the services of a psychiatrist, please visit Call To Mind, a telehealth service specialising in psychiatry.