Why Your Baby’s Sleep Routine Keeps Falling Apart (and What You Can Do About It)

Just when you think you’ve finally cracked the code on your baby’s sleep routine… 💥 it falls apart again. If this sounds familiar, I want you to know this: you’re not doing anything wrong.

Babies aren’t robots. Their sleep is fluid — constantly adapting to growth, new environments, and life changes.

As a gentle sleep coach and mom, I’ve seen this happen again and again with families I support (and in my own home!).

mom and baby getting ready for the night

So if your baby’s predictable nap schedule suddenly vanishes or bedtime becomes a struggle, here are six common reasons why — and what to do about each of them.

1. Dropping a Nap

As your baby grows, they’ll naturally drop naps — but those transitions are rarely smooth.

You might notice:

• Shorter naps or skipped naps altogether

• Bedtime resistance

• Early morning wake-ups

• Crankiness that seems to come out of nowhere

What to do: Start by adjusting wake windows to account for the lost nap. You may also need to adjust your bedtime temporarily to prevent overtiredness. Most importantly, give it time. The adjustment phase typically lasts one to two weeks.

Not sure when your baby should drop a nap? Here is an article about when is the right time to drop a nap.

2. Starting Daycare or Preschool

A new childcare setting is a big deal! Different routines, unfamiliar caregivers, and sensory overload can impact sleep in ways you didn’t expect.

You might notice:

• Shorter or skipped naps at daycare

• More frequent night waking

• Fussiness in the evenings

  
  

What to do: Try to keep things as consistent as possible at home — same bedtime routine, same nap expectations when they’re home with you. And give your little one time to settle into their new space — it’s a lot for them to process emotionally and physically.

3. A New Caregiver

Whether it’s a nanny, grandparent, or sitter — any change in who’s caring for your baby can affect their sleep.

Why? Because babies thrive on familiarity and routine. A new person might do things a little differently, and even subtle changes can throw things off.

What to do: Share your sleep routines with your caregiver (or gently guide the grandparents 😉). Consistency in how naps and bedtime are handled helps your baby feel secure and can reduce resistance.

4. Parents Going Back to Work

Returning to work is a huge shift — not just for you, but for your baby too.

Babies can sense emotional changes and may struggle with separation, especially if they're used to being with you all day. That can show up as:

• Difficulty falling asleep

• Clinginess at bedtime

• Extra night waking

What to do: Offer extra connection before and after work — a snuggly bedtime routine, a little one-on-one playtime, or cuddles during wake-ups. And remind yourself this is normal. With consistency and reassurance, it will get easier.

5. Starting Solids

You’d think starting solids would mean longer stretches of sleep… right? Not always.

Introducing new foods can cause digestive discomfort or even mild tummy issues, especially if a baby is eating heavier foods right before bedtime.

What to do: Introduce new foods earlier in the day and stick with familiar, gentle options close to bedtime. And remember — digestive systems are still developing, so go slowly and watch how your baby responds.

6. Sleep Regressions

Ah, the infamous sleep regressions. These tend to show up around predictable developmental milestones — often at 4, 6, 8, 12, 18, and 24 months.

What’s happening? Your baby is growing and learning so much that it temporarily disrupts their sleep.

You might see:

• Short naps

• Increased night waking

• Trouble falling asleep

• Fussiness or clinginess

What to do: Stick with your routine as much as possible and offer comfort without creating new habits you don’t want to keep long-term. Sleep usually stabilizes again in a week or two once your baby adapts.

Your Baby Isn’t Broken (and Neither Are You)

Routines will change — that’s just part of life with little ones. What matters most isn’t perfection… it’s consistency, connection, and flexibility.

If your baby’s sleep feels like it’s unraveling and you’re exhausted trying to keep up, that’s not a sign you’ve failed. It just might be time for a reset — with support.

I help working parents create sleep routines that adapt with life — not against it. If that sounds like what you need right now, let’s talk.

💬 You can reach out to me anytime here or join my newsletter for gentle tips, resources, and upcoming classes.