I remember the first few months with my firstborn daughter being a bit foggy. Recovering from birth, dealing with sleep deprivation from day one, and adjusting to erratic sleep patterns was challenging. Then, just as you and your baby start to gently fall into a rhythm, you begin to know when she's tired and ready to sleep. But then, around 4-6 months of age, all those rhythms go pear-shaped! If this has happened to you, or if it’s happening now, you need to read this post.

What is the Four-Month Sleep Regression?

Babies' sleep cycles mature at some point during the first six months of life, most commonly around the 4th month. This change in sleep patterns can be unsettling for your baby and cause sleep disturbances. Some people refer to this as "sleep regression," but in reality, the sleep is progressing and becoming more like an adult's sleep cycle.

Newborns have sleep cycles that last about 50-60 minutes, with equal parts of active (REM) sleep and quiet (non-REM) sleep. Adults, on the other hand, have sleep cycles that last about 90-110 minutes, with more time spent in deeper, non-REM sleep stages. As babies' sleep cycles mature, they begin to resemble those of adults, transitioning through the stages of light and deep sleep more distinctly.

That's why I prefer the term "progression." Unlike "regression," which might sound like a step back in sleep quality, "progression" recognizes that these changes are a natural part of a child's growth. Even though it might disrupt their sleep for a bit, your baby is just progressing and getting better at sleeping overall.

Apart from the maturation of the sleep cycle, babies at this age are going through other significant changes. They're learning new skills, like rolling over, and are rapidly developing cognitively, finding new things super exciting. It's a time of lots of learning and exploring, which can make them a bit restless at night.

Signs of the Four-Month Sleep Regression

These changes in their sleep and overall development can manifest as:

- Difficulty Settling to Sleep: Your baby may take longer to fall asleep and might need more comforting or a different bedtime routine to help them relax.

- Difficulty with Naps, Shortened Naps, or Missed Naps: Your baby might struggle to nap during the day, have shorter naps than usual, or skip naps altogether, leading to increased fussiness and tiredness.

- Grizzly, Cranky Behaviour During the Day: Due to disrupted sleep, your baby might be more irritable, fussy, or harder to soothe during the daytime, showing signs of overtiredness.

- More Frequent Night Waking: Your baby might wake up more often during the night, needing additional soothing or feeding to get back to sleep, which can be exhausting for both of you.

- Startling Awake After Only Being Asleep for About 5-10 Minutes: This can happen when your baby is transitioning into a deeper sleep. It can feel like 'falling out of bed' for them, causing them to wake up startled and needing reassurance to settle back down.

These disturbances don't stick around forever; they're usually temporary, lasting anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. However, keep in mind that every baby is different, and they might face sleep challenges at various times and for different reasons. It might feel like a never-ending phase sometimes, but remember, these changes are part of your baby’s development. With patience and a consistent approach, they'll likely settle back into more regular sleep patterns over time.

It's also worth mentioning that these sleep disturbances can occur during periods of increased development, such as when a baby is learning new skills like talking or crawling, or during times of separation anxiety, teething, or illness.

What Can You Do to Make This Transition Easier?

As you are doing right now, seeking support and finding reliable information will help you realise that these changes are beyond your control. Your child is not waking up more because of something you did. Supporting your baby through sleep changes involves focusing on things you can control while understanding that some things are beyond your control. Since changes in your baby's sleep are bound to happen, here are some positive steps to navigate through them:

- Stay Calm: Babies can feel your emotions, so staying calm is crucial. If sleep times get a bit chaotic, acknowledge the stress, find a way to release those feelings, and stay composed, confident, and connected.

- Nap and Bedtime Reassessment: Keep an eye on your baby’s signals for tiredness and be responsive to any changes in their nap needs. Adjusting nap schedules based on their cues can support better sleep. As your baby grows, their overall sleep needs decrease, so you may consider changing bedtime or reducing daytime sleep.

- Consistent Routines: Stick to positive and calming bedtime routines. Consistency provides reassurance and helps your baby understand what to expect. Offer comforting support, like a gentle touch or white noise, if they startle awake. It can make a big difference.

- Assist your baby through the various stages of their sleep cycles by staying close and gently placing a hand on their chest and tummy just before they typically wake or stir. This soothing presence can help them remain asleep without being startled awake.

- Lean on Your Support Network: Make sure to lean on your support network during this challenging time. Can anyone help you with chores or looking after the baby so you can have a bit of rest time?

Conclusion

Navigating through the four-month sleep progression can be challenging, but remember that it's a natural part of your baby's development. By staying calm, reassessing nap and bedtime routines, maintaining consistent routines, and leaning on your support network, you can help make this transition easier for both you and your baby. These sleep changes, although temporary, are a sign of your baby growing and developing new skills.

If you want more information on baby sleep patterns, check out my guide, Baby Sleep Patterns Blueprint.

For personalised help, consider my one-to-one email consultations to address your specific concerns and receive tailored support.

References

Ficca, G., Fagioli, I. and Salzarulo, P., 2001. Sleep organisation in the first year of life: Developmental trends in the quiet sleep–paradoxical sleep cycle. Journal of Sleep Research.

Galland, B.C., Taylor, B.J., Elder, D.E. and Herbison, P., 2012. Normal sleep patterns in infants and children: a systematic review of observational studies. Sleep medicine

reviews, 16(3), pp.213-222.