3 Common Baby Sleep Myths That Just Won’t Quit

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years as a pediatric sleep consultant, it’s that there’s so much misinformation about baby sleep out there. Everyone—from well-meaning family members to random strangers at the grocery store—has advice. Some of it’s helpful, and some of it… well, let’s just say it’s been passed down like an old wives’ tale.

Let’s bust three of the biggest baby sleep myths that just won’t go away.

Myth #1: Keeping baby up longer will help them sleep better at night.

Oh, if only this were true! I get why people think it makes sense—wear baby out, and they’ll crash hard, right? But the truth is, an overtired baby actually has a harder time falling asleep and staying asleep. When babies (and adults, for that matter) get overtired, their little bodies go into overdrive producing stress hormones like cortisol, making it even more difficult to settle down.

If your baby is fighting sleep, waking frequently, or waking up way too early in the morning, they might actually need more sleep, not less. Counterintuitive, I know. But sometimes an earlier bedtime or better naps during the day can be the magic fix.

Myth #2: If a baby wakes up at night, they must be hungry.

Newborns do wake up to eat—it’s totally normal. But as babies get older, waking up every hour or two all night long usually isn’t about hunger anymore. It could be a sleep association (like needing to be rocked or nursed back to sleep), discomfort, or just a developmental leap.

If your baby is over 4-6 months and still waking constantly, take a step back and see what’s really going on. Are they getting full feedings during the day? Are they waking at the exact same times every night? Making small tweaks can help everyone get better rest.

Myth #3: You should never wake a sleeping baby.

Listen, I love a peacefully sleeping baby as much as the next person, but sometimes waking them is actually a good thing. If naps are stretching too long and messing with nighttime sleep, or if a newborn is sleeping too long and missing feedings, waking them up can help create a more predictable rhythm.

This is especially true for daytime naps. If baby is snoozing for 3+ hours during the day and then partying all night, gently waking them (and making sure their naps don’t go too long) can help get things back on track.

At the end of the day, baby sleep isn’t one-size-fits-all, and what works for one baby might not work for another. But understanding the facts can help you make decisions that support better sleep for everyone.

Have you heard any of these myths before? Or maybe even believed them at some point? (No judgment, I used to believe them too!) If you need help figuring out what’s going on with your little one’s sleep, I’m here for you! Reach out about our sleep consulting for your free assessment!