Unraveling the 4-month baby sleep regression
Parenting, especially in the realm of sleep, is often riddled with myths and misconceptions. Enter the term “sleep regression”, a phrase that sends shivers down the spine of many new parents at the hint of a sleepless night. But are all these regressions real, or are they just another piece of parental folklore? Let’s delve into the truth behind the most talked about phenomena: the four-month sleep regression
The Regression Conundrum: Sorting Fact from Fiction
Parents are quick to label any disruption in their baby’s sleep patterns as a regression. A couple of rough nights? It must be a regression. But the reality is far more nuanced. While it is true that babies’ sleep can be unpredictable, not every hiccup is a regression. Amidst the confusion, one consensus emerges: the four-month sleep regression stands as the pinnacle of sleep disruptions.
Decoding the Four-Month Sleep Regression: A Journey Through Sleep Cycles
What is the four-month sleep regression, and what sets it apart from the other supposed regressions? At around four months of age, babies undergo significant developmental changes, both physically and neurologically.
To truly grasp the intricacies of the four-month sleep regression, it is essential to delve into the realm of sleep cycles and its different stages.
Stage 1: The initial stage where we begin to drift off into sleep but don’t quite feel like we’re fully asleep yet. It’s a transitional phase, marking the onset of our journey into the land of dreams
Stage 2 (light sleep): This is where we may not even realise we’re asleep until we are jolted awake. For those indulging in power naps, this is the sweet spot - any deeper and you risk waking up feeling groggy
Stage 3 (deep sleep): Also known as slow-wave sleep, this is where the magic happens. Our bodies undergo repair and restoration, with reduced brain activity but crucial bodily processes at work. It’s during this stage that our immune system gets a boost and other vital functions occur.
Stage 4 (REM sleep): Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is marked by heightened brain activity. It’s the realm of dreams, where cognitive functions like memory consolidation, learning, and creativity takes center stage.
While adults seamlessly transition through these four stages of sleep, newborns operate on a simpler system, alternating between two stages of deep sleep and REM sleep. However, around the 10-week to four-month mark, a significant recorganisation occurs as babies begin to embrace the four-stage method of sleep seen in adults.
Do all babies go through a four-month sleep regression?
No, not all babies will but this can be fairly common. For some babies, this transition can be jarring. With lighter sleep stages added into the mix, babies may find themselves waking more frequently - a stark contrast from their previous sleep patterns.
Unfortunately for me, my son Elliot went through this four-month sleep regression and it stayed with us till I finally sleep trained him at eight months old. He went from sleeping 8 hours at night at around three months old to waking up every 2-3 hours. We tried everything from feeding (he would usually only take 20-50ml of milk), rocking, singing, but none of it seemed to settle him or calm him down to sleep longer stretches. Our family ended up having very little and interrupted sleep which resulted in a less than joyful and calm home environment.
Why does the four-month sleep regression happen?
Babies accustomed to spending the majority of their sleep in deep and REM sleep now face the challenge of navigating lighter sleep stages. Waking up is a normal part of the sleep cycle for both babies and adults. However, while adults possess the cognitive ability to fall back asleep independently, babies may struggle to soothe themselves back to sleep, especially if they have relied on sleep props like rocking, pacifiers, or breastfeeding to drift off initially.
Is the four-month sleep regression permanent?
The good news is that this shift in sleep cycle only happens once in our lives. The bad news, however, is that if not dealt with appropriately, the multiple wakings and methods to deal with this can become habits that will stay. Trust me on this - our family tolerated this for four full months before Elliot got sleep trained and managed to adjust to this shift in sleep cycle.
Navigating the four-month sleep regression requires patience, consistency, and a healthy dose of resilience. Here are some tips to help ease the transition!
4 tips to cope with four-month sleep regression
Establish consistent sleep habits: Implementing a soothing bedtime routine to signal to your baby that it is time to wind down and prepare for sleep. Children thrive on routine.
Establish consistent sleep habits: Implementing a soothing bedtime routine to signal to your baby that it is time to wind down and prepare for sleep. Children thrive on routine.
Encourage independent sleep: help your baby to learn to self-soothe by removing external props and giving them an opportunity to fall asleep on their own
Create a sleep-friendly environment: ensure that your baby’s sleep space is conducive to rest - think dark, cool and comfortable environment
Appropriate wake windows: babies are sensitive and can enter the realm of overtiredness if their wake windows are not properly watched. Wait too long and your child might be overtired which, instead of causing more restful sleep, results in more night wakings and disrupted sleep
By understanding the underlying mechanisms behind the four-month sleep regression and implementing strategies to support healthy sleep habits, you can navigate this challenging phase with confidence and grace. Remember, it’s a journey - one that can ultimately lead to smoother nights and well-rested families.
If you find yourself navigating the tumultuous waters of the four-month sleep regression and need extra support, remember that you’re not alone. Night Night offers specialised baby sleep consultancy services to help guide you through this challenging phase. We understand that every family and child has unique needs and that personalised guidance and support is needed to ensure everyone gets the rest they deserve. Don’t hesitate to reach out - we’re here to help your family sleep better & get the rest you deserve.
Other FAQs about 4-month baby sleep regression
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Yes. As the child's sleep cycle changes, naps, just like the night time, can be affected. Shortened naps, difficulty in falling asleep at nap time, or frequent waking during nap time are all common during this period.
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If your child is meeting developmental milestones and your pediatrician is happy with his/her growth, s/he is likely ready to be doing away with frequent feeding at night.
If your baby is feeding out of hunger, then you should be feeding them. If they're waking out of habit and feeding as a form of comfort, however, then it is likely that feeding is perceived as a prop for sleep rather than for meeting nutritional needs. In most cases, a child drinking just 20-50ml at a middle of the night feed and falling asleep while drinking signals a high likelihood of feeding dependence for sleep.
Always consult with your pediatrician if you're unclear about your baby's feeding needs during this time.
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The four-month sleep regression can coincide with changes in a baby's appetite but is unlikely to be the direct cause of appetite loss.
During this time, babies experience disruptions in their sleep patterns which can affect their appetite and feeding schedules. Babies feeding more frequently in the middle of the night as a form of soothing to sleep, for instance, might appear to have a reduced appetite in the day because of the extra calories taken at night.
It's essential to consult with your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's milk intake during this period.
