We’ve all heard about them; they come just when you think you’re getting the hang of this parenting thing, then BAM! Regression hits.
All children follow a predictable developmental schedule. Typically, in the first year, regressions in sleep occur around 4, 6, 8, and 12 months. These are merely guidelines and can occur an earlier or later, especially if the baby was born prematurely. If a baby is born four weeks early, you can expect developmental milestones approximately four weeks later.
The Four Month Regression
The four month regression is a doozy. A big shift in your child’s sleep phases can cause more frequent waking, shorter naps, fussiness and a decrease in feeding. Babies start to become more mobile as well as more alert and aware of their environment. Instead of sleeping, you might find them trying to practice new skills which can be frustrating for parents who want a break. Strategies that help manage this regression are ones that will help children practice these new skills during their wake times and maximize their quality sleep.
New Skills
Practicing new skills during wake times might include things like rolling over, tummy time and using chew toys. You can engage your child by talking or singing to them, encouraging them to practice using their voice, especially as their language centre develops more. They may begin to start saying things like “mamama” or “baba”.
New Phases of Sleep
From birth to 3 months of age, babies will move through two phases of sleep: light (REM) sleep and deep sleep. Babies are thought to spend between 50-75% of their sleep in light sleep; which is often mistaken as gas or an unsettled baby. During light sleep babies can kick, grunt, stretch, grimace, smile, wiggle or even cry — falsely alerting parents to pick up their baby to soothe or attempt to feed.
At four months, babies move from two sleep cycles to four sleep cycles similar to older children and adults. Sleep cycles are typically 30 minutes in length therefore babies who once slept for several hours may now wake after only 30 minutes. They’ll find themselves unable settle without help. This can be particularly exhausting for parents to manage, especially overnight.
Working on independent sleep practices as early as 3 months of age can help with this transition. It may lessen the negative implications it may have on their overall sleep. You may be asking how? Imagine being fed or rocked to sleep in your parent’s arms only to wake in a different place and your parent is no longer there. An inability to fall back to sleep will inevitably lead to babies crying out for their parents help.
During regressions, infants may wake more as their sleep cycles shorten leading parents to wake more often to settle them. If independent sleep is established before the regression, your baby will use its new skill to fall back to sleep. This will lead to less disruption for the baby as well as the parents. Win, win!
When can I start?
Sleep training babies is developmentally appropriate to start at anytime after 3 months of age. As long as feeding is well established and you are ready to do so. As a Registered Nurse, part of my job is to fully assess children and their parents for readiness. Before sleep training starts, I assure we are working towards a realistic goal. A sleep training plan isn’t a one-plan-fits-all process; I always customize plans towards your goals and parenting style.
Regressions can cause a lot of disruptions to general temperament and sleep. We can better manage them if independent sleep practices are implemented prior to the start of a regression. Getting better sleep doesn’t just have to be in your dreams!
If you need help with your baby’s sleep, check out my Sleep Packages!
