Watching your baby grow is one of life's greatest
blessings. Being the parent of a new baby is beautiful and exhilarating — but
also exhausting! It's no secret that having a baby turns your sleep
routines upside down. Twilight feedings and cuddles are just a way of life for
new parents, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
Having the confidence and skills to
guide your baby sleep to a routine that works may seem an impossible task, but
it’s actually easier than you think.
Simply having the knowledge and understanding of what is happening and
learning how to communicate desired sleep behaviors can work wonders. That’s
why we love the
Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™ app, it combines expert
sleep coaching with in-app tools that work with you, at your pace, to get your
baby’s sleep on track, so even when regressions happen – you have the
experience to get things back to normal, fast.
Newborns sleep a lot, but it's broken up into small fragments
throughout the day and night. They may wake frequently for
night
feedings
and nap often during the day. As a newborn, your baby may have woken
up frequently at all hours of the night, leaving you bleary-eyed when
the sun came up. But after a while, your baby may have started to sleep
for longer stretches — giving you some much-needed rest, too.
Then just when it seems you have your baby's sleep
schedule figured out, he starts waking up at night again. Could this be the
4-month sleep regression you've heard about? What exactly causes sleep
regression?
How long does sleep regression last, and how do you cope with it?
As a parent, it's hard to function when your four-month-old
is not sleeping. Yet, it's common for babies to start waking up at night around
this age. You're definitely not alone! What's more, sleep regression is
actually an important developmental milestone for your baby.
What is the 4-Month Sleep Regression?
A
sleep regression is when your baby starts waking up at night, after a time
period of sleeping more predictably. From the outside, this may seem like he's
"regressing" on the progress he's made adapting to longer sleep
intervals.
However,
sleep regressions actually happen because your baby is maturing, not
backsliding. A sleep regression often first appears around three to
four months old, although every baby is different. Sleep regressions are a
normal part of a baby's first year. And don't worry, it won't last forever!
If
this regression is causing major sleep disruption, getting expert help doesn’t
have to break the bank. Apps like the
Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™ offer affordable subscription based programs that
combine expert sleep coaching with in-app tools to help you confidently
navigate this regression and other sleep setbacks when they happen.
Signs of the 4-Month Sleep Regression
How do you know if your
baby is going through a sleep regression?
- Your four-month-old starts waking up at night.
- Your four-month-old is waking up every hour or
two hours.
- Your four-month-old starts waking for feeds
again.
- Your baby has a harder time falling asleep.
- Your baby may be fussier when he wakes up.
- He may sleep for a shorter length of time overall.
- Your four-month-old is waking up crying.
Sleep regression can
happen alongside other milestones and changes. As your baby is hard at work
taking in the world around him or learning new skills, a sleep regression may
also be approaching.
What Causes Sleep Regression in Babies?
Sleep
regressions can happen because of biological changes your growing baby goes
through. You may have heard of the circadian rhythm. It's basically your body's
natural 24-hour cycle, including the sleep-wake cycle. As a newborn, your
baby's sleep isn't governed by circadian rhythms like an adult's. That is — not
yet.
Your
newborn baby is still developing in countless ways. He doesn't mature into his
circadian rhythm after birth. So at first, newborns sleep about 70% of the
time. But this sleep is divided up into
short intervals throughout
the day and night. Newborns wake frequently for night feedings and
nap often during the day.
It's
not until three to four months that babies begin shifting into a more
adult pattern of wakefulness
during the day and greater sleep at night.
When
your little one gets to be around this age, their sleep advances into cycles of
light and deep sleep, closer to that of an adult's. In fact, your baby begins
going through
five sleep cycles, instead of the
same sleepy state as when he was a newborn. This is a good thing—It means your
baby is undergoing healthy development.
But
these changes in sleep cycles mean your baby might start waking up more often,
and you with him. Why might this change result in frequent night wakings,
anyway?
More info about sleep regression causes
Big Changes for Baby
As adults, we constantly alternate
between four stages that range from
light
to deep sleep
throughout the night. Until a
baby is about
three months of age, he spends his sleepy time in two
sleep stages
. Then, babies begin to go through four sleep stages once they're a few months
old.
As an adult, you’ve fully adjusted to
these sleep cycles and likely don't even realize you're going through them. But
your baby is just learning to go through more complex sleep cycles. If your
baby becomes woken during a lighter sleep cycle, he may have trouble getting
right back to sleep, especially if he wakes up in a different place than where
he fell asleep. So don't be alarmed if your four-month-old is waking up at 4
a.m. or 5 a.m. and doesn't go back to sleep as easily.
Not only that, but at three to four
months of age, your baby is conquering a lot more milestones than just sleep
cycles!
He may be starting to teethe,
rollover, or be going through a big growth spurt around this time. Research has
shown that sleep disruptions can occur when your baby is
going
through milestones
, like advances in motor development.
So if your baby is showing some
big changes around three to four months, it
could also play into his 4-month sleep regression.
Baby undergoes lots of growth and motor
skills in the first year of life. So while it's hard to go through as a tired
parent, it's not surprising that babies naturally go through periods of
disrupted sleep.
How Long Will the 4-Month Sleep Regression Last?
Every baby is unique. But for many
babies, sleep regressions can last up to several weeks, though it may be much
shorter. Some babies may not even go through a noticeable sleep regression.
Your baby could also have sleep regressions that come and go at various times
during his first year.
Have no fear — sleep regression
doesn't last forever. But this doesn't mean it's not a challenge for parents.
Whether this is your first baby or you have other children at home, frequent
nighttime wakings aren't fun. If your four-month-old is not sleeping, what are
some ways for you and Baby to get through it?
Survival Tips for the 4 Month Sleep Regression
If you're going through a 4-month sleep regression with
your baby, you’re not alone!
Coping with sleep regression is a normal part of
parenthood, and also a temporary state. With a few easy strategies, you can
help your baby get through the regression and support him on his path to more
mature sleep. The upside of sleep regression is your baby may start sleeping
for longer intervals at night, once he gets through the regression.
We asked our Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™ experts to share what they recommend to help
establish healthy sleep habits for your baby and cope with sleep regressions:
Adopt a Healthy Bedtime Routine
It’s important to establish a stable routine to promote good sleep
habits. Through a calming, peaceful atmosphere and consistent bedtimes, you'll
help your child settle into sleep more easily. Whether or not your child is
going through a sleep regression, a routine will help them feel safe and secure
knowing what to expect each evening. A bedtime routine could include things
like feeding, a warm bath, reading books together, applying lotion, giving an
infant massage, and putting him to sleep
in the same place each night.
Keep a Dark Sleep Environment
Natural
light and dark cycles help your baby know when it’s time to sleep or wake up.
Keeping the room dark at night will help your baby start recognizing when it’s
time for sleep. If they wake up during the night, the dark environment will
help them fall back asleep.
Give Baby the Chance to
Practice Sleeping on His Own
It
may be tempting to always pick up your baby, rock him, or cuddle him when he is
sleepy. There's nothing wrong with giving him as many cuddles as he needs, but
it can be helpful to let your baby try falling asleep on his own.
If
your baby wakes up at night, don't talk or play. Instead, try to take care of
his needs calmly and quietly and get him back to bed quickly. It's also helpful
to put your baby down when he's drowsy instead of fully asleep, so he can get
used to falling asleep on his own.
Ensure Baby Is Well-Fed
Throughout the Day and Before Bedtime
Your
baby is growing rapidly before your eyes — he needs lots of nutrition to fuel
all those big changes! A hungry belly could leave your baby wakeful and fussy
during the night. Try feeding Baby in a quiet place during the day so he'll
have fewer distractions from eating. Then, feed him right before bed so he'll
be less likely to wake up hungry at 4 a.m.
Be Gentle With Yourself
Being a parent is powerfully rewarding. But it's not an
easy job. Don't forget to be patient with yourself as much as your baby as new
challenges arise. With growth comes change. And it's a learning curve for both
of you!
Going through a 4-month sleep regression can be
difficult. But armed with knowledge and a few helpful strategies, you
can survive it. Rest assured,
a 4-month sleep regression is a normal part of your
baby's development that will come and go. As always, if you have any concerns about your child's
sleep patterns or overall health, talk to your pediatrician.