E29 Infant Sleep (Part 4): When Gut Discomfort Disrupts Sleep

This episode is part of the Not Just Theories Infant Sleep Series, exploring the many factors that influence baby sleep, from circadian rhythms and temperament to medical and sensory differences.

 

In Part 4 of the infant sleep series, we explore a biological factor that can significantly affect sleep but is often overlooked in mainstream sleep advice: food allergies and gut discomfort.

Sometimes when babies are waking frequently, feeding constantly, or struggling to settle, the issue isn’t a sleep habit at all. It’s discomfort.

In this episode of Not Just Theories, I talk about how food allergies (particularly cow’s milk protein allergy or CMPA) can show up in babies, and why these patterns are often missed or dismissed as reflux, colic, or “normal fussiness.”

We discuss possible signs that may appear together, including:

• mucus or blood in stools

• frequent or runny stools beyond the newborn stage

• reflux and feeding discomfort

• back arching and persistent fussiness

• frequent feeding for comfort

• disrupted sleep

I also share personal experiences from both of my children, including the reality of navigating strict elimination diets while caring for a newborn, and the practical and social challenges that can come with removing major food groups postpartum.

This episode is general education, not medical advice. If you’re concerned about your baby’s symptoms, feeding, or sleep, it’s important to discuss these patterns with your GP or another qualified health professional before making dietary changes.