5-month-old baby waking up frequently at night?

Frequent night wakings are quite common in 5-month-old babies and usually stem from a developmental milestone. At this age, babies:

• Sleep cycles shorten — instead of 90-minute cycles like adults, they enter light sleep every 45-60 minutes and are likely to wake during these transitions.
• Separation anxiety begins — around the 5th month, the concept of object permanence develops; when baby wakes and can't find their parent, they cry out looking for them. This isn't regression, it's mental progress.
• Teething may signal — night fussiness, increased drooling, and frequent wakings can be the herald of the first tooth.
• Hunger still plays a role — some babies at 5 months still need one nighttime feeding; this is normal.

When to worry: Constant crying wakings, breathing difficulty, fever (≥38°C, especially concerning in babies under 3 months), ear pulling, or greenish/mucous-like stool warrant a pediatrician visit.

General rule: 1-3 wakings per night is normal for a 5-month-old. Rather than picking up immediately at each waking, waiting a few minutes allows baby to develop self-soothing skills.