Around 4 months, babies go through their first major growth spurt – both physically and mentally. This stage is linked to what is known as the 4-month sleep regression, which can completely upend a baby’s life.
If your baby suddenly becomes harder to soothe during the day, seems hungrier than usual, cries more often, seeks your comfort, or wakes up frequently at night, these can all be signs of the 4-month sleep regression.
In this article, you will learn how to recognize it, find out how long it usually lasts, and – most importantly – how to help your little one navigate this turbulent phase.
Sleep regressions almost always coincide with developmental milestones. These big milestones tend to occur around 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 months. At 4 months, rapid physical and mental development can disrupt the baby’s sleep routine.
Around this age, babies make a huge leap in motor skills. They gain more control over their hands and start trying to grasp things. Some babies even begin rolling from their back to their stomach at 4 months. They are also at a stage where they explore the world using their mouths and tongues.
A lot is also happening cognitively. Babies start recognizing faces, absorbing language, experimenting with babbling sounds, becoming more active during the day, and becoming more aware of their environment and surroundings.
There are several signs that may pop up which can vary in intensity from baby to baby. Each child has a different reaction to this first big developmental leap which can happen anywhere between the 3rd to 5th month.
Long stretches of uninterrupted sleep often come to an end during this period, unfortunately. Babies who used to sleep for several hours straight previously may now begin to wake up more frequently. Their once-long midday naps might shorten to briefer catnaps.
Hunger also tends to increase around this time – your baby might want to nurse or have a bottle more often as growth spurts naturally use up more energy, thus requiring more feedings.
You may also notice that your baby becomes fussier, more irritable, and harder to calm – all classic signs of the 4-month sleep regression.
You might worry that you have done something wrong or that something has caused your baby to permanently change their sleep habits. There is no reason to worry though – you haven’t done anything wrong, and nothing is “wrong” with your baby either! Sleep regression around 4 months is completely normal. While it can certainly test parents’ patience, nearly all families experience this stage.
However, every baby develops at their own pace. The timing and intensity of this regression can vary, and not every baby will experience it right at 4 months. The phase can begin a few weeks earlier or later and last for different lengths of time.
Just last week, your baby may have been sleeping peacefully anywhere. Now, everything seems to have changed. Your baby wakes more often and startles more easily.
That is because around 4 months, newborn sleep patterns transition to a more mature structure. Newborns spend most of their sleeping time in a deep sleep, which is why they can often fall asleep anywhere, remain unaffected by noises, and may be hard to wake up.
Now, their sleep cycle will begin to more closely resemble that of an adult’s, alternating between deep and light sleep. Between these phases, babies may partially wake up – just like adults – but unlike us, they haven’t yet learned how to fall back asleep easily, which makes them more likely to fully wake up.
Many babies who previously fell asleep easily start having trouble settling down at night around this age. During the 4-month sleep regression, babies struggle to fall asleep, wake more often during the night, and their long stretches of uninterrupted nighttime sleep seemingly disappear.
For new parents already dealing with sleep deprivation, this phase can feel endless. You might even begin to wonder (and dread) whether it’s permanent.
Rest assured, it is just a phase! For most babies, things go back to normal within 2 to 6 weeks, and a more stable sleep pattern emerges.
In the meantime, there are some ways to encourage healthy sleep habits to help your baby adjust, which are explained below.
“My 4-month-old baby isn’t sleeping well – what can I do?” is one of the most common questions parents of infants ask. While this developmental phase can’t be completely avoided, there are plenty of ways to support your baby through it, such as:
-
Provide plenty of physical closeness and cuddles, especially during daytime
-
Try gentle massages
-
Feed or nurse on demand to meet increased hunger needs
-
Give warm, relaxing baths before bedtime to help calm their body down for sleep
-
Establish a consistent bedtime routine and schedule
-
Prevent overtiredness by putting your baby to bed a bit earlier than normal
-
Rock or gently sway your baby to sleep
-
Minimize sensory stimulation by darkening the room using blackout curtains
-
Use soothing music, singing, or white noise
The key word in these hectic weeks is calm – for both you and your baby. Babies are extremely sensitive to their parents' mood, typically using it as a gauge about how they should feel. If your baby notices that you are stressed or anxious, they may likely assume that they also have something to be stressed or anxious about.
Staying calm is undoubtedly easier said than done, however, practicing self-care can help. For example, letting trusted friends or family watch your baby for a while so you can rest, take a walk, or recharge can often help relieve stress.
For your baby, calmness also means reducing stimulation. Placing them in a cradle or hammock during naps, for example, helps to block out visual stimulation and provides a snug environment, making it easier for them to relax and fall asleep.
Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done to prevent it. It is not an illness that can be treated but instead a normal developmental phase (albeit a tiring one for parents). Still, a few things can help you and your little one get through it as smoothly as possible.
If daytime naps have become shorter, try moving bedtime earlier so your baby isn’t overtired at night.
The good news: this is a phase and it will pass. In the meantime, stick to consistent routines to give your baby a sense of security and stability.
