The newborn phase is beautiful — and brutal. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and unsure of what your baby needs, you’re not alone. These early weeks can bring up big questions, constant crying, and a deep sense of “Am I doing this right?” Many of us leave the hospital wondering what to do next? How do I care for this baby? How do I know what they need?

Good news? Many of the most common newborn problems are fixable with some simple shifts in feeding, sleep timing, and routines that honor your baby and your needs.

Below are the top issues we hear from parents (yes, the things you’re Googling at 3 a.m.) — plus gentle, proven solutions from The Full Feedings® Method.

Think of this as a parenting checklist, when a problem comes up go through each solution and “check off” the things you’ve done to try and help narrow down what could be left!

My baby cries all day (and I don’t know why)

Possible cause: Hunger, overstimulation, gas, over tiredness

Solutions:

• Feed fully and frequently (every 2–3 hours during the day)
• Burp well — we recommend burping every 5 minutes for up to 5 minutes
• Keep baby upright after feeds for 10–15 minutes
• Use a dark, quiet space for naps
• Keep wake windows age-appropriate — a newborns wake window is typically only 40 minutes, including feed time, so work towards not keeping them awake too long.

If your baby is inconsolable, we recommend contacting your pediatrician. Taking a video of what you are experiencing can be helpful in identifying a quicker solution.

Explore our infant sleep programs for gentle routines that support full days and calm nights.

My baby won’t let me put them down

Possible cause: Underfed, overtired, disrupted sleep cycle

Solutions:

• Focus on full feedings during the day so baby sleeps longer between feeds
• Use a 30-minute feeding window to ensure full intake — pace the feed over this time.
• Try contact naps and crib naps — to build balance for both of you
• Use baby-led, parent-directed routines to prevent over tiredness — overtired babies can struggle to fall asleep on their own. Using age-appropriate optimal wake times can help make sure baby doesn’t stay awake longer than is optimal.

My baby only sleeps 20–45 minutes unless held

Possible cause: Over tiredness, hunger, lack of sleep rhythm, trapped gas

Try:

• Follow age-appropriate wake windows (this matters more than the nap length)
• Feed closer together during the day (every 2-2.5 hours)
• Add a dream feed at night (10–11pm)
• Keep sleep environment dark and calm
• Burp well – trapped gas can often cause babies to wake prematurely. Burping well is a key ingredient in longer sleeps.

Get our full NO CRY IT OUT sleep method here

Cluster feeding feels non-stop

Possible cause: Normal newborn behavior (especially in the evening or during growth spurts), short feeds

Try:

• Aim for full feeds, even if baby feeds frequently — this will help naturally cut down on the number of times baby cues for a feed
• Expect it during weeks 2–6 (it’s your baby boosting your supply!)
• Create a cozy feeding space and plan for it
• Aim for sleeps in between feeds — this helps to keep your EAT PLAY SLEEP rhythm and not get into a snacking mentality

Learn more about feeding basics here

Baby feeds for 5 minutes and falls asleep

Possible cause: Snacking instead of feeding, poor latch, sleepy feeding

Try:

• Gently stimulate baby during feeds (burp, switch sides, undress lightly)
• Keep baby awake and eating for a full 30 minutes (including burps)
• Work toward fuller daytime feeds to naturally stretch nighttime sleep
• Wake baby up fully before starting the feed

Naps are unpredictable or nonexistent

Possible cause: Too much daytime sleep, not enough, or off-timed naps

Solutions:

• Follow consistent, age-appropriate Optimal Wake Times (OWT) — We recommend OWT’s for every age from birth to help support a consistent nap routine.
• Cap naps to protect nighttime sleep (based on age) — don’t let baby sleep too long in any daytime period
• Focus on consistent start to the day (6:00am – 7:30am) — this helps to align them with nature to support their circadian rhythm
• Use natural light/dark cues
• Don’t obsess over nap length — A short nap is okay. It’s more important to focus on preventing over tiredness.

Baby is waking all night long (sooner than every 3 hours)

Possible cause: Not getting enough calories during the day

Try:

• Focus on full daytime feedings to support circadian rhythm development
• Focus on keeping same number of full daytime feedings each day — inconsistent feeds lead to inconsistent sleeps
• Track 24-hour intake — when it’s age appropriate (12-16 weeks old), you may need to move milk from night to day
• Use a dream feed until 12–16 weeks

Learn how to naturally move milk to the daytime

Breastfeeding isn’t working the way I thought

Possible cause: Supply, latch, pain, feeding expectations

Try:

• Feed every 2–3 hours during the day, to establish supply
• Feed fully, on-demand at night
• Keep nursing time consistent (30 mins total (includes burp time) under 6 months)
• Seek support early to avoid bigger issues — We offer 1:1 consulting. Email hellomilk@fullerfeedings.com to book

Explore our gentle feeding programs

My baby refuses the bottle

Possible cause: Nipple flow, feeding preference, late intro

Try:

• Try different nipples and flows
• Offer bottle once a day even if breastfeeding
• Stay consistent and relaxed; don’t force
• Warm milk past room temp
• Read this blog on “My Baby Refuses to Eat More”

Baby has reflux/spits up a lot

Possible cause: Underdeveloped digestive system, fast feeds, or trapped gas

Solutions:

• Burp every 5 minutes during a feed
• Keep baby upright for 10–20 minutes after eating
• Feed more slowly or pace feed if bottle feeding
• Try smaller, more frequent full feeds

I feel like I’m doing everything wrong

Possible cause: Exhaustion, information overload, lack of support

Solutions:

• Unfollow advice that doesn’t work for you
• Focus on full feedings®, simple routines, and responding with love
• Ask for help when you need it (even online counts!)

✨ Want a feeding or sleep plan that meets you where you are? We’ve got you.

Explore our affordable sleep programs

Start feeding support from day one

You deserve sleep, support, and real-life solutions — without crying it out.