Work through these in order. The sequence matters — most parents jump to the last step first.
1. Check the wake window. This is the cause most often missed. Newborns can only stay comfortably awake for 45 to 60 minutes at a time; by three months it is around 90 minutes. Past that, cortisol rises and the baby becomes harder to settle, not easier. A baby who seems wired and fights sleep is usually overtired, not under-tired. If they have been up longer than their window, treat everything below as urgent.
2. Rule out the physical basics. Hunger, nappy, temperature, trapped wind. For temperature, feel the back of the neck rather than hands or feet, which run cool normally. Overdressing is a very common cause of unsettled sleep.
3. Reduce the sensory load. Dim the lights properly — dim, not just lower. Stop talking, bouncing and singing simultaneously. An overstimulated newborn needs fewer inputs, not more soothing effort layered on top.
4. Add one continuous input. Steady low-frequency sound is the single most reliable tool at this stage. It must be continuous, not intermittent, and it works because it recreates the constant acoustic environment of the womb. Keep it at a safe volume — around 50 dB, roughly the level of a quiet shower, with the source well away from the cot.
5. Contain them. Firm, safe swaddling or a snug hold reproduces the boundaries of the womb. Follow current safe-sleep guidance: back to sleep, on a firm flat surface, no loose bedding, and stop swaddling once your baby shows any sign of rolling.
6. If they are already escalating, you may need to break the crying loop before sleep is possible. A slow high-contrast visual can interrupt the cycle enough for a baby to accept comfort. Keep the screen at least 30cm away, keep it brief, and stay with them.
7. Accept the reset. Sometimes the honest answer is that this sleep is not happening. Feed, restart the wind-down, and go again. Nothing is broken.
Safe sleep is non-negotiable. Always place your baby on their back on a firm, flat, separate surface, clear of pillows, bumpers and loose blankets. Never use a screen or device in the cot.
Call a doctor for fever, unusual or high-pitched crying, poor feeding, difficulty rousing, or breathing changes.