Sleep regression: when the baby does not sleep well
After a few months of sleepless nights, the baby finally regulates his sleep schedule. But suddenly he starts waking up in the night and having difficulty falling asleep. What's going on? It could be sleep regression.
Before you panic, know that it is a natural and temporary process; you are not doing anything wrong and nothing is happening to your baby. Find out everything there is to know about this phenomenon and its causes.
As is known, children's sleep changes as they grow up. Night rest becomes longer and more stable, while daytime naps are reduced. However, adjustments can occur in evolution that causes the child to regress to earlier stages. They typically last for two to six weeks, after which the baby's sleep pattern resumes regular functioning.
What is sleep regression?
Sleep regression
Sleep regression is part of the baby's developmental process.
Sleep regression is a setback in childhood sleep patterns. The child, who had already learned to sleep several hours in a row per night, begins to have nocturnal awakenings and difficulty sleeping. In some cases, he may need more time to fall asleep, or he may not be able to fall back asleep after waking up, resulting in daytime naps.
The child is often short-tempered and irritable and requires the attention of mom and dad at any time, maybe just for a hug or because he wants to play.
When parents observe this phenomenon, they often wonder what is happening, since the child has already established a good sleep rhythm. It is part of the growth process.
Why does sleep regression happen?
Sleep regressions can appear at different times in a child's life but are usually linked to important stages in the developmental process. The stages of development are accompanied by disorders that can also affect the rhythm of sleep.
Regressions can occur at four months, as well as at eight, eighteen, or twenty-four. The most striking, however, usually occurs between eight and ten months of age.
If you are currently experiencing this phase with your baby, know that these are some of the main causes:
Changes in the biological rhythm
Sometimes these alterations are a simple consequence of the evolution of the baby's biological rhythm. At around four months, the baby's sleep begins to resemble that of adults.
Therefore, he may have a lighter sleep and tend to wake up when he moves from one sleep phase to another. It also happens to adults, but being autonomous, they get away with it easily. When the baby wakes up, he needs help falling back asleep, especially at the beginning of these changes.
Milestones of development
The milestones of development are the great advances in the growth of the child. Learning to sit, turn, crawl, walk or talk are some of the most important steps.
These acquired skills open up a world of possibilities for children who, as they become more and more independent; consequently are more willing to explore their surroundings and do not easily accept falling asleep again.
Greater energy expenditure
The importance of crawling in the development of children
Developmental milestones, such as starting to crawl, can be a cause of sleep regression.
All these advances mean that the little ones have a greater expenditure of energy during the day and hunger at night. If this happens, they may wake up irritable and demanding and have a hard time falling back asleep.
But going to sleep overly tired at night is also counterproductive. If the baby does not rest during the day, his ability to rest properly when it is finally time for bed may be impaired.
Teething
Tooth eruption can also affect sleep. Discomfort, pain, or throbbing gums hamper rest.
Separation anxiety
Finally, separation anxiety can cause sudden awakenings in the child, who will seek contact, closeness even if he has already stopped doing so. This typically occurs after eight months and causes the baby to wake up anxious, tearful, and in need of comfort.
Sleep regression: how to behave?
Sleep regression usually goes away within a few weeks, so be patient. Some measures can facilitate this process, for parents and children:
Make sure your baby eats enough during the day. If it seems to you that he wakes up hungry, instead of feeding him when he wakes up, try increasing his portions a little during the day. Adding fatty and healthy foods to dinner (such as avocado) can also help.
For teething, a refrigerated teether can be a great relief.
Make sure your baby gets adequate rest during the day. Generally, at eight months, two 90-minute naps are appropriate.
Prepare the environment. Make sure the room has a good temperature, is quiet and dark. Some babies sleep better with a small indirect light that allows them to recognize the room when they wake up.
White noise can help your baby fall asleep or fall back asleep.
In short, it is a question of understanding the evolutionary moment that your child is going through and facilitating it as much as possible. Each child has a different temperament and not everyone will experience these changes in the sam
The important thing is to be patient and remember that this is a temporary and natural phenomenon.
