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Sleep Regressions | Which is the worst?


Do you find yourself or other parents using the term sleep regression when your child has ANY disruption to their usual sleeping pattern?

 

  • Baby now waking multiple times throughout the night? Sleep regression.


  • Toddler waking early in the morning? Sleep regression.


  • Baby has turned 4 months? Sleep regression!!


And which sleep regression is the worst?


As a Paediatric Sleep Consultant I want to provide an insight into ‘sleep regressions’, delve into development milestones and offer tips to help manage your child's sleep disruption.

 

Remember! Times of sleep disruption are simply part of your child’s developmental journey


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Topics covered in this sleep regression blog:



When your baby is around 3-4months there is a HUGE biological change in relation to your baby's sleep cycles and there can be so many physical, cognitive and emotional developments happening all at once...all these varying factors can heavily disrupt your baby's sleep!

 

However, the reality is your child may experience difficulty sleeping at any age in those early years – each child has a unique personality and temperament – each child manages developmental stages differently.

 

It is so important that we understand why our child’s sleep changes, what our child needs and how we guide them throughout these bumps in their sleep journey.



What is a sleep regression and should we be calling it a ‘regression’?


Is it a regression? It must be a regression? Is it ANOTHER regression?

 

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To be honest the term regression is probably overused when talking about a child’s sleep...

 

A regression definition is ‘a return to a former or less developed state’

 

So naturally when your child is going through a sleeping hick up your mind takes you back to those sleepless nights in the early baby days...

 

On the contrary, it is often your child’s developmental PROGRESS that impacts their sleep and so maybe it should be called a sleep 'progression'?


If there are no apparent developmental changes occurring, it is also important to look at wether your child is getting their daytime sleep needs. Both over-tiredness and under-tiredness can contribute to fussy bedtimes and nighttime wakings.

 

Check out my free ‘Key Sleep Guidelines: 0-3 Years’ | This two-page download provides provides sleep needs, wake windows, optimal sleeping environment and much more!

 



The infamous 4month sleep regression!


I touched upon this earlier but there is a major biological shift when your baby is around 3-4 months old as they are transitioning from a 2 to 4 stage sleep cycle (the same as adults.)


Without going deep into the science of sleep; this means your baby is in and out of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep more frequently during the night and so this can lead to more night time awakenings before they learn how to connect their sleep cycles.


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Other developmental factors that can be impacting your baby’s sleep around this age;


  • Learning to roll over

  • Experiencing a growth spurt so therefore be hungry more often

  • Significantly more aware of their surroundings

  • More sensitive to light and temperature

  • Learning that when they vocalise a parent responds

  • Introduction to solids foods 4-6 months

  • Teething (can begin 2-3months but generally closer to 6months)


So as you can see there is A LOT going on with your baby’s physical, cognitive and emotional developments all at once so OFCOURSE their sleep is going to be affected while they are adapting and learning!

 

How to manage the 4 month sleep regression;


  • Full daytime feeding schedule

  • White noise machine

  • Spend plenty of time outside during the day

  • Ensure your baby is getting their daytime sleep needs

  • Practice and encourage baby to fall asleep independently

 

Note! From a developmental perspective once your baby turns 4 months old formal sleep training can commence, it is not advised when your baby is 0-3 months.

 

Are you still finding your baby's sleep challenging beyond 4 months? Are you wanting 1:1 guidance and support for two weeks? Book my Baby (4-17months) sleep support below:




Developmental factors 0-3 years that impact sleep and why


There are two types of developmental milestones that can happen at various times throughout your child’s first 3 years;

 

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Physical;

  • Rolling

  • Sitting

  • Crawling

  • Standing

  • Walking


Cognitive;

  • Sleep Cycle Changes

  • Separation Anxiety

  • Greater Awareness

  • Fears

  • Language explosion


Developmental milestones can be difficult to navigate if your child is experiencing notable sleep disruption.


So why exactly do these developmental milestones impact your child's sleep?


  • Practicing the new change | Not only are they learning and mastering a new skill and so your Child's body and mind is working hard but they may also practice this exciting skill while they sleep and wake up confused and/or frustrated if they are unable to return to their preferred sleeping position (e.g if they are able to roll onto their front but unable to roll back onto their back or they are unable to lay down from sitting)


  • More aware during milestones | During these developmental milestones your child is becoming more and more aware of themselves and their surroundings and so they are embracing this new awareness; which may keep them awake as they are simply taking everything in and processing it. They may also begin testing different scenarios in order to get your attention

 

Remember! Consult a sleep consultant if you have ANY concerns with your child’s sleep



Tips how to manage any sleep disruption caused by developmental factors


  • Try not to introduce new or old sleep associations, whilst this may help to settle them in the short term they may develop a new sleep habit that they will require longer term in order to go back to sleep


  • Help your child practice, practice, practice their new skill during the day!


  • Stay consistent with your child's bedtime routine to encourage the sleep disturbance to be a smoother and quicker disruption


  • Encouraging your child to develop the ability to fall asleep independently can help minimise sleep disruption when they experience developmental milestones


  • Teething discomfort can mean it is harder for your child to fall asleep at night and can wake them up during the night and so employ methods to alleviate pain and discomfort - ofcourse they will need extra cuddles!


Remember! To remind yourself that the sleep disruption is temporary


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For more sleep tips and information follow Maternal Mayhem on Instagram:




Finally


So which sleep regression is the worst? Given all the physical, cognitive and emotional developments that can happen when your baby is 3-4months old - this can prove a challenging time sleep-wise.


However, developmental milestones can happen at varying ages and not all children's sleep will be affected by these stages; of those children that are affected, some children's sleep will be impacted more than others.


The severity of sleep regressions simply depends on how your child manages their developmental milestone and also their ability to settle themselves to sleep.

 

Remember! Every baby is unique and so every sleep journey is unique

 

Do you want guidance and support with your child’s sleep journey? See my sleep support for Newborn (0-3months), Baby (4-17months) & Toddler (18months+) below:



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I am a Paediatric Sleep Consultant that that offers a client-led approach to sleep; based on your child’s specific sleep challenges, as well as your own parenting philosophy, I advise on the most suitable sleep shaping techniques and sleep training methods for you. In addition, I also assess your child’s entire 24 hour day and so I view sleep shaping and training from a holistic perspective.




I offer virtual sleep consultations worldwide so book a free 15minute call to get your child on the road to a better sleep journey!





A well-rested child is a happier child and a happier you!

 

Rebecca x

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