The Real Deal on Flexibility - Sleep Regression
After weeks of weird nap times and varied sleep-wake cycles, the little babe settled into a decent nighttime pattern: 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. with one drowsy feed around 3. We figured we had this on lock. And then it happened: the dreaded four-month sleep regression. We were warned by some friends but that did not lessen the suckiness factor.
Sleep regression is simple as it is maddening: after gradually working towards a normal sleep pattern, the child regresses to a phase more akin to her newborn days. Remember not being able to put her down without her waking? Remember being awakened every hour during the night? Do you recall with fondness the 15 minute catnaps that you tried desperately to stretch out? Well, if your kiddo is one of the lucky ones to go through regression, then welcome all that back with open arms!
The literature suggests that regression occurs because the 4-month-old infant brain is developing at an incredible rate, and having to sift and sort through all this new information affects the child's sleep. Imagine the night before your wedding or an important job interview; remember how difficult it was to turn off your brain and get some rest? Liken that to the sleep regressed babe and sympathize with the poor dear. At least during our life events, we're able to understand and reason things out. These little dudes do not yet have that ability thus they are restless, uncomfortable, and frustrated.
So rookie mamas like me, please know: as crummy as it is to go back to those early sleep-deprived days - especially after weeks of decent rest! - sleep regression is temporary. In our case, it's been two steps forward, one step back in terms of climbing (clawing?) our way out of the regression. There's little you can do to speed it along. Just buckle down and muddle through as best you can. Prioritize errands and chores, delegate and ask for help as needed, and learn to love naps at unconventional times again!
P.S. Regression can occur again at 6 months and one year. Yeehaw.
Sleep regression is simple as it is maddening: after gradually working towards a normal sleep pattern, the child regresses to a phase more akin to her newborn days. Remember not being able to put her down without her waking? Remember being awakened every hour during the night? Do you recall with fondness the 15 minute catnaps that you tried desperately to stretch out? Well, if your kiddo is one of the lucky ones to go through regression, then welcome all that back with open arms!
The literature suggests that regression occurs because the 4-month-old infant brain is developing at an incredible rate, and having to sift and sort through all this new information affects the child's sleep. Imagine the night before your wedding or an important job interview; remember how difficult it was to turn off your brain and get some rest? Liken that to the sleep regressed babe and sympathize with the poor dear. At least during our life events, we're able to understand and reason things out. These little dudes do not yet have that ability thus they are restless, uncomfortable, and frustrated.
So rookie mamas like me, please know: as crummy as it is to go back to those early sleep-deprived days - especially after weeks of decent rest! - sleep regression is temporary. In our case, it's been two steps forward, one step back in terms of climbing (clawing?) our way out of the regression. There's little you can do to speed it along. Just buckle down and muddle through as best you can. Prioritize errands and chores, delegate and ask for help as needed, and learn to love naps at unconventional times again!
P.S. Regression can occur again at 6 months and one year. Yeehaw.
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