Understanding the 4-Month Sleep Regression
Around the 3-4 month milestone, major developmental strides can affect sleep due to a significant biological shift in sleep patterns. Babies transition from newborn sleep phases to more adult-like sleep stages, which may disrupt the sleep of even previously good sleepers, causing multiple awakenings at night.
Adults experience "sleep cycles" lasting between 60 to 120 minutes through the night, transitioning into lighter sleep stages post each cycle, a pattern now adopted by your baby.
This shift hit when my daughter was about 3 months old. At 2 months, she was sleeping well, waking once at night and sleeping for 6-7 hour stretches. Suddenly, she began waking and crying hourly each night, a challenging phase that lingered for weeks.
Like my daughter, some babies find each brief awakening turning into a significant hurdle. Typically, these babies fall asleep in their parent's arms, during feeding, or rocking. Upon waking, they seek the same initial comforting actions—be it feeding or rocking—to fall back asleep.
4-month sleep regression signs
Increased Night Wakings: Your baby might wake up more frequently during the night, even if they were previously sleeping through or waking just once or twice.
Difficulty Falling Asleep: It may take longer for your baby to fall asleep at bedtime and during naps.
Shorter Nap Duration: Naps may become shorter and less restorative.
Changed Sleep Patterns: The baby's sleep pattern may shift, becoming less predictable. They may suddenly change the time they fall asleep or wake up.
Increased Fussiness: Due to disrupted sleep, your baby might be fussier or crankier during the day.
Resistance to Sleep: Your baby might fight sleep, seeming overtired but resisting naps and bedtime.
More Frequent Night Feedings: Baby might start waking for more night feedings than before, leading to “reverse cycling”.
Enhanced Awareness: Improved motor skills and increased awareness of the surrounding environment might distract your baby, making it harder for them to wind down.
Over-tiredness: Due to poor sleep, your baby may seem overtired, yet find it hard to settle into sleep.
Duration of the 4-Month Sleep Regression
The sleep cycle transition usually takes a couple of weeks. However, the effects of this transition, such as increased night wakings and reverse cycling, may linger considerably longer without a structured approach to adjust.
How to navigate this phase
Establish a Consistent Routine: Create a consistent bedtime routine to signal your baby that it's time to sleep. Maintain consistent nap times during the day, following the appropriate wake window, to help regulate their sleep patterns.
Adapt the Sleep Environment: Make sure the room is conducive for sleep - dark, quiet, and cool. Use a white noise machine to drown out household or street noise.
Teach Independent Sleep Skills: Gradually teach your baby to fall asleep independently. This could mean putting them down when drowsy but not fully asleep so they learn to fall asleep independently.
Avoid Over-tiring: Avoid keeping your baby awake for too long, which can make it harder for them to fall asleep. Stick to the appropriate wake window to prevent overtiredness.
Address Hunger: Ensure your baby is well-fed during the day to minimize night wakings for feedings. If needed, consult with your paediatrician about night feedings.
The 4-month sleep regression is a common challenge many parents face, but with patience and a consistent approach, you'll be able to navigate through it. Be patient with your baby and yourself. It's a learning curve for both of you.
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