Once you’ve invested so much effort into helping your baby sleep soundly, it can come as a rude awakening when suddenly he or she starts waking frequently during the night. While this may feel like a huge setback, this is just part of his or her developmental process and usually only temporary.
Understanding what’s causing this regression and adhering to your healthy sleep routine should allow your little one to get back on track.
1. Clinginess
Sleep regressions often cause babies to be overly-clingy and need extra reassurance from parents; they may need nursing or rocking back to sleep more frequently than normal. While this stage may be draining for parents, it will typically subside once their sleep patterns return to normal.
When your baby’s sleeping pattern goes haywire, they may become less willing to accept you putting them down for naps or bedtime – especially older babies accustomed to falling asleep on their own. Be patient and try as best you can to stick with your usual routine as much as possible – both you and your little one will benefit if you remain calm; rest assured this too shall pass!
2. Overtiredness
Just like adults, when your baby doesn’t get enough restful zzz’s they may become cranky and irritable. Sleep regressions require additional reassurances and snuggles from you in order to feel calm and safe again – though usually this clinginess will dissipate as soon as their natural sleeping patterns have returned to normal.
Overtiredness is often the source of poor napping, night waking and disrupted sleep for infants and young children. They may catnap in short cycles throughout the day or their sleep cycle is interrupted due to teething, rolling over or an abrupt growth spurt – leading to sleep disruption that results in poor napping, night waking or disrupted restful naps for their parent and/or caregivers.
As parents, it’s crucial that we understand our babies’ usual awake window and current season of development in order to prevent overtiredness. Furthermore, having a consistent bedtime routine ensures your child sleeps soundly before going into bed at bedtime.
3. Growth Spurts
Sleep regressions frequently accompany baby growth spurts. Your child may wake more frequently at night, their nap schedule may shift significantly and they might require more food, with less ability for self-soothing.
As adults do, babies require adequate rest in order to function at their best, which explains why babies can sometimes become more demanding or needy during this time period – they just want the sleep they require! Clingy behavior could be an indicator that your little one needs restful sleep!
Baby growth spurts tend to be brief; however, they can still be challenging. We suggest being patient! Your child will return to their routine eventually and the clinginess will subside within weeks! Just give it time!
4. Separation Anxiety
At four months, babies typically begin developing sleep cycles that alternate between deep and light sleep phases – an entirely different way from how newborns slept – which may cause more night wakings than in previous months.
At times like these, children may become more needy, needing extra reassurance or snuggles from you – however this will pass once their sleep patterns return to normal.
Sleep regressions can have a major impact on daytime routines and nap schedules, leading to shorter naps. When going through a regression phase, it’s essential that parents remain consistent in their approach – to ensure your child is still getting enough rest to remain healthy, engaged, and engaged! Doing this will prevent temporary bumps from turning into permanent sleep challenges!
5. Teething
Once teething starts, babies may dribble or fuss more during nap and bed times and will require additional comfort during sleep times. While this can interfere with their ability to self-soothe, offering plenty of cuddles can help reassure and comfort your little one.
Teething can affect daytime routines by shortening nap times and prompting more night awakenings, creating the opportunity to teach them self-settle skills! As with anything related to development, baby sleep regressions should eventually pass if consistent with your sleep plan and managed correctly! For additional advice and insight into dealing with baby sleep regressions check out our free podcast which features new episodes every Wednesday on iTunes!https://www.youtube.com/embed/YxgDqQnGvak