Baby Sleep Regression: Myth or Reality?

Every mom, including myself, is overprotective towards their babies. When I became a baby girl’s mom, I used to look for every blog that talked about babies and mothers to learn more about motherhood. When she reached 4 months I found myself searching a lot about baby sleep regression age to see if it was a myth or a reality.

Around the four months mark, your baby is coming out of the newborn age into infancy, and this is huge! It means your baby is no longer a non-responsive blob but turning into a human now, as they are smiling back at you, following you around the room with their eyes, learning to roll both ways, and giving that all-mighty belly laugh.

The Starting Phase of Sleep Regressions

Babies Sleep Regressions are normal, which can hit anytime between 3-4 months. It’s not easy and not so much fun. Babies that sleep soundly or on a set routine may suddenly feel like their sleep is all over the place. It’s a change in the fundamental way in which your baby sleeps.

At the initial stage, when Sofia was three and a half months old, her sleeping schedule completely turned upside down. She used to sleep for solid stretches during the night and even fall into predictable naps. But, suddenly started waking up and fussing like a newborn again. She suddenly started waking up at night, refusing naps or taking short naps.

What did I do during this?

My husband and I did not have a parenting experience before our daughter was born. I somewhere read about the myth of baby sleep regression but never believed it until I experienced it. But if you’re facing too, don’t worry. It is quite a normal part of the baby’s development but sometimes can leave you straight up exhausted. I know it seems daunting, but it is not. I’ve gone through it all.

When Sofia was undergoing this, I’ve gone through sleepless nights, she used to wake up more often throughout the night and had a more challenging time napping. I availed Elena the Nanny’s service, who helped me giving my daughter a routine during the regression time.

We tend to look for hypothetical solutions to our problems, but this isn’t the scene in our babies’ case. The simple suggestion she shared was to fix a proper nap schedule for my daughter. She explained that every baby has a different time frame for naps according to their age.

Another practice that Elena made me understand and follow is to teach my daughter to fall asleep by herself on her bed. The practice of sleeping on her own was developing with time, but I read a book called “Fate la nanna” for the time being.

It is an Italian book that guides you through this process with a simple technique. But to tell the truth, this book is not meant for every parent as it is based on a simple concept that – for some time, you have to leave your baby in the bed even if he/she is crying out loud.

Sometimes it can be emotionally challenging to manage, and you can feel quite devastating hearing them cry, but it happens for only a few nights, and then it is all normal and happy. Now you can sleep peacefully at night and give a goodnight kiss to your baby in her/his bed.

I’ll suggest you try this out as I find it the best way that works for you during the period of nocturnal awakenings.

She (nanny Elena) loves working with the families to provide them and their little ones the gift of a peaceful night’s sleep and long naps. She is passionate about sleep and believes that every baby can sleep well. And I was very much impressed with the services she offered to my baby and the family.

Get Your Baby on a Sleep Routine!

Even baby sleep regressions turn out to be real and not a myth with you. You can overcome this by following a basic bedtime routine. At this age, babies need roughly 10-12 hours of sleep and a couple of naps in a day. It’s time to start regulating your baby’s sleep patterns and naps.

Babies prosper in consistency and routine, so be sure you provide it. Create a calm, soothing bedtime routine, which may include a bath, changing bedtime clothes, reading a bedtime story, or singing a lullaby while the baby feeds into the bed.

Suppose you follow the same things consistently every night before going to bed. In that case, it helps babies understand that this is ‘bedtime.’ You have to sleep, train your baby, and you have to start right now – before it’s too late!

Many sleep regressions are combined with overtiredness, so don’t be afraid of putting them down to sleep early! You’ll be happy to know that if babies are put to bed earlier tend to sleep better and longer. Find your baby’s “sweet sleep spot.” If the baby seems fussy, you should be getting the baby ready for bed before fussiness kicks in. I have tried this personally with my daughter, and it worked. I used to take her to bed a little early, and she used to wake up so fresh and happy.

So far, it is working progress, and I am very much open to other suggestions on the topic. I would love to hear from you about your experiences and methods.

When it comes to our babies, we are extra careful about everything related to them. I’ll walk you through my journey. You can read all my previous blogs as only a mother can understand a mother’s pain and concern.