Dear Hatch: Real Parents Ask, Sleep Experts Answer

Summary

Baby sleep can be unpredictable — and sometimes, you just need advice and encouragement from an expert. In this installment of Dear Hatch, our Sleep Consultants answer some of the most common baby sleep questions submitted by real parents.
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Sometimes the hardest part of navigating baby sleep isn’t the nights themselves, but figuring out what’s normal, what’s not, and what actually helps. That’s why we turned to Hatch Sleep Consultants to answer four of the most common questions submitted by real parents — the everyday, “is this normal?” concerns that come up in the middle of the night (or during naptime).

If you’re using Hatch Baby, you’re already set up with extra support: Every device includes 6 months of free access to expert sleep guidance. That means personalized, science-backed help whenever you need it, starting with the questions real families are asking right now.

Table of contents

1. If my 8-week-old wakes up from a nap only an hour after he is put down, should I try to put him back to sleep?
2. My 5-month old baby wants to go down after 90 minutes. Should I stretch his wake windows or follow his cues?
3. How should I handle sleep when my baby is sick?
4. My teething daughter is having trouble sleeping. Should I try changing her sleep sound? 
5. References 

If my 8-week-old wakes up from a nap only an hour after he is put down, should I try to put him back to sleep?

At 8 weeks, an hour is a great nap! If you are happy with that length, you can get him up and move on with a feed and your day. But if you notice your baby is having a day full of shorter naps, or he seems tired, here are tips to try lengthen a nap:

• Give him a little space. Newborns are very noisy sleepers! It’s common to hear grunts, whines, or even short cries during sleep. If you hear your baby wake, pause for just 1-2 minutes before going in. Sometimes they’ll surprise you and drift right back to sleep on their own.
• If your baby is still awake, try gently helping him settle again. You can rub or pat their tummy or chest, softly shh or hum, offer a pacifier, or even try the Pick Up Put Down method (PUPD).
• Spend about 10 minutes helping him fall back to sleep. When he wakes again, you can start their next wake window, or you might need to wake him if it’s been 3 hours since his last feeding.

If your baby doesn’t fall back asleep, that’s OK. All naps count, and some babies naturally take shorter naps at this age. Turn on the lights, change his diaper, and move on with the day.

My 5-month old baby wants to go down after 90 minutes. Should I stretch his wake windows or follow his cues? 

At this age, we want to move away (for the most part) from watching their cues and lean more into set wake windows. At 5 months old, we are aiming for 3 naps per day for a total of 3.5 hours of daytime sleep. We are also aiming for 2-2.5 hours of awake time between naps and before bedtime. For example:

• Wake for the day
• 2 hours of awake time
• Nap 1 (~1.5 hours)
• 2.25-2.5 hours of awake time
• Nap 2 (~1.5 hours)
• 2.25-2.5 hours of awake time
• Nap 3 (~0.5 hours)
• 2.25-2.5 hours of awake time 
• Bedtime

How should I handle sleep when my baby is sick?

If your child has a mild illness (slight cough, congestion or runny nose), your current expectations for sleep don’t need to change. But if your child is sick with vomiting, diarrhea, a fever, or a bad cold, you may need to shift your expectations around sleep and make some changes until they’re better. Here are a few tips for sick-season sleep: 

• Keep their bedtime routine the same.
• If your child wakes in the night, you can enter their room right away to offer support, check their temperature, or give pediatrician-approved medications.
• Use holding or rocking to sleep as a last resort, if needed.
• Bend the rules and allow for more daytime sleep if baby seems extra tired or fussy.

Once your child is better, you can jump right back into your usual sleep expectations. It may take a couple of days to get back on track, but stay consistent! 

My teething daughter is having trouble sleeping. Should I try changing her sleep sound? 

Yes, you can definitely try a different light and sound combination! Our favorite sound setting for deep, restful sleep is Pink Noise, which closely mimics the soothing sounds of the womb and helps block out household noise. 

When it comes to lighting, you can keep your Hatch Baby light off for a completely dark sleep environment, or opt for a soft light instead. We love the Amber Glow (or any light on the red spectrum) since it’s calming and is melatonin-friendly. If you use a light, keep it very dim — around 1-5% brightness is perfect.

Here are a few helpful teething soothing methods you can implement with your baby:

• Take a washcloth, get it wet, roll it up, freeze it, and let them gnaw on it!
• Teething toys
• Mesh pouches with frozen food or breastmilk
• Gentle gum massage
• Check with your pediatrician on the appropriate dosing for Tylenol and Motrin if your baby is uncomfortable or experiencing a fever.

Need baby sleep support? Learn how Hatch Baby can support your baby’s sleep routine at every age and stage, with expert advice from Hatch Sleep Consultants included for the first six months.

References

1. Mindell, J. A., Telofski, L. S., Wiegand, B., & Kurtz, E. S. (2009). A nightly bedtime routine: Impact on sleep in young children and maternal mood. Sleep, 32(5), 599–606. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/32.5.599 
2. Mindell, J. A., Li, A. M., Sadeh, A., Kwon, R., & Goh, D. Y. (2015). Bedtime routines for young children: a dose-dependent association with sleep outcomes. Sleep, 38(5), 717–722. https://doi.org/10.5665/sleep.4650 
3. Moon, R. Y., MD, FAAP. (2025, June 6). How to keep your sleeping baby safe: AAP policy explained. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/a-parents-guide-to-safe-sleep.aspx