The 4 month sleep regression

What is the 4 month sleep regression?

A neurological development to your baby’s sleep, it isn’t actually a ‘regression’ but a maturation to your baby’s sleep cycles. Which commonly has a big impact on your baby.

Newborns spend around 80% of their time sleeping in REM sleep, and 20% in NREM sleep, cycles 3 & 4, which is a deeper sleep, where your baby sleeps very quietly and is difficult to stir.

When babies go through this maturation, which is actually anytime between 3-6 months, they begin having NREM 1 & 2 cycles, these are much lighter sleep stages, you will notice in these cycles your baby is easier disturbed.

What changes will display in sleep?

More frequent wakes, especially startling awake in the early stages of sleep.

Nap resistance, or more frequent wakes during naps.

More difficult to settle at bedtime and naps.

Which often cause fussy behaviour due to not being well rested.

What can I do to help my baby during this stage?

Try assisting your baby with sleep, focusing more on getting the right amount of day sleep is better than becoming overtired.

Lots of natural day light, and begin removing distractions, now your baby’s sleep cycles are maturing they will become more easily distracted.

Calm bedtime routine can be helpful, when they are being extra fussy. Having a predictable consistent routine can allow their body to know sleep is coming, and by keeping a calm bedtime routine you allow the melatonin to be released and be effective.

Adjust our expectations of sleep around this time, now I am not for a second saying it isn’t really tough! I have been there! But a lot of mums tell me knowing this is a huge developmental advancement, has really helped them understand the ‘why’, and help normalise that this is a stage most of us go through, and it is completely normal!

The 4 month sleep regression is a tough stage in your child’s development, I hope this article was helpful in giving you a greater understanding over what is happening, and how you can support your baby through it. If you would like to discuss 1-1 support for your baby, head over to the services pages to get a greater understanding of what 1-1 support looks like.