Do you now that babies can experience 3 periods of sleep regression? First one happens close to 4 months, between 4-6 months of age. Second one takes place around 9 months and third one occurs close to first birthday.
What is sleep regression?
Sleep regrsssion is a time when babies are sleeping worse, they experience frequent awakings, they do not want to settle to sleep, their naps are shortened and not very restorative as they used to be. It is related with brain maturation and second burst of melatonine which happens at this stage. Because of these reasons sleep regression is very often mistaken by parents as teething. It takes between a few days up to few weeks.
How to recognize that baby is experiencing sleep regression?
Day sleep cycles are shorter (30-40 minutes naps). Night sleep cycles shortened from 4-6 hours to 2-4 hours. At this age, in order to help babies we have to teach them how to self settle. If a baby used to cat nap for months, then probability that he will experience sleep regression is much higher. That is why it is so importnant to take care of good naps much more earlier. Frequent night awakings are caused by insufficient amount of sleep during the day and baby is overtired. It is myth that if baby is more tired, then baby sleeps better or longer. It is totally opposite. The more rested is the baby, the better will sleep at night. After sleep regression usually change of sleep patters occurs. Then change and asjustment of schedule must happen.