4 Month Sleep Regression

4 MONTHS OLD – THE HUMDINGER

At 4 months old, your baby changes. They leave the baby like sleep cycle of being able to sleep for long periods of time without waking – essentially sleeping like a log, up until this point most of their growth and physical development takes place whilst they are asleep.

 

At 4 months a baby’s sleep cycle now fluctuates in between light and deep sleep with more frequency. This is a moment of celebration! As it is a very healthy developmental milestone, on the other hand it presents itself as more night waking and power naps.

When this change occurs, it may lead to 2-3 weeks of sleep regression. It could start as early as 3 months or later at  5 months.

 

It is a momentous change in your baby’s development; they will not revert to extended long periods of deep sleep again. They have entered the adult sleeping style. When they come into the light sleep, they may wake up and need your help to get back into the deep sleep cycle as it’s a whole new experience. That’s the cause of the disrupted sleep – finding themselves awake!

 

SLEEP REGRESSION – TEETHING

 

Sleep regression may also coincide from this age and continue until the teeth have cut through the gums. Sleep regression due to teething is something else that is inevitable and requires some compassion and comfort.

 

Pacifiers, teething gel and cooled teething rings can help ease the pain and help them drift back to sleep.