My baby falls asleep on her own during the day but can't at night, why?
⚡ Short answer: The most common answer to this has two main causes. **1.
Anonymous
bir anne · Sleep
My baby can fall asleep by herself during daytime naps but can't seem to do this at night; what's the difference?
Maiyko AI ADVISOR
The real reply from the in-app AI advisor
The most common answer to this has two main causes.
1. Circadian rhythm and melatonin: Melatonin naturally rises at night, which means your baby needs more support to start and maintain sleep. During the day, melatonin is low; when she transitions to lighter sleep, self-soothing is easier.
2. Sleep pressure: By daytime nap time, not much accumulated wakefulness has built up yet. By nighttime, sleep pressure is high but simultaneously, your baby's brain is working to process experiences from the day (a process called "consolidation"); this makes self-soothing harder during nighttime awakenings.
What helps? To carry daytime self-soothing skills to nighttime, the commonly recommended approach is: keep the nighttime bedtime routine short and calm, ensure the wake window before bed is appropriate for your baby (not overtired), and apply the same technique at night (like laying her down drowsy but awake) to build consistency.
This difference typically becomes more noticeable after 4-6 months and is part of development. If it lasts a long time or impacts your baby's overall mood, consult your pediatrician.
⚕️ Health note: This answer is for general information only; it is not medical advice. Every baby is different — for decisions about your baby's health, consult your pediatrician.
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