4-month sleep regression

Your baby was starting to sleep through the night, and suddenly, they're waking up again?

You might be experiencing what's commonly known as the 4-month sleep regression.

The 4-month sleep regression refers to a period during which your baby experiences a developmental change in their sleep as their sleep cycles mature.

All babies go through this change. It's a permanent shift in the architecture of the brain's sleep. But not all babies experience massive sleep disruptions as a result.

Many parents worry about this sleep disturbance. Others say they barely noticed a difference because their baby was already waking up multiple times a night. As with all things baby-related, it depends on their temperament.

• Baby wakes up much more often at night
• Baby has difficulty falling asleep and needs much more support to drift off
• Naps are harder to achieve and don't last as long.

Let me reassure you immediately, this is only temporary, you haven't done anything wrong :-)

This is a PROgression, because your baby is NOT regressing in their skills.
It's a sign that they are progressing in their development. Their brain is undergoing radical changes.

While often called the "4-month regression," this developmental shift can happen anytime between 2 and 6 months. This biological change results in a modification of the sleep architecture in the child's brain, transitioning to a more mature sleep cycle.

Newborns have naturally "immature" sleep cycles (1 restless sleep cycle and 1 quiet sleep cycle), and the transition from wakefulness to sleep happens through REM sleep. Between two and six months, sleep cycles become mature.

This is what people refer to when they talk about the "4-month sleep regression."

• Babies need less total sleep, going from an average of 14-17 hours per 24-hour cycle to about 12-15 hours (though this can vary greatly between babies).
• Motor development: babies learn to roll onto their tummy and back again, for example. This can lead to a lot of frustration when they can't quite get it right.
• At this age, babies begin to track people in the room, show social interest, and react to interactions with their caregivers. That's a lot of new things for them to process :-)
• They are more aware of the world around them and are therefore more likely to be overstimulated or frustrated.
• Baby starts teething (sore gums).

• Go outside as much as possible during the day to expose them to natural light and regulate their circadian rhythm.
• Give your baby more time to practice rolling from tummy to back during the day (and other skills they are trying to acquire).
• Use babywearing whenever possible to help your baby nap longer. Don't worry about forming bad habits; use what you need to get through this period and avoid having an overtired and cranky baby.
• Note your baby's sleep cues and track their wake times, naps, and bedtime for a few days to see if you can find their optimal rhythm.
• Adopt consistent and calm bedtime routines. A flexible and predictable routine helps signal to the body that it's time to rest and sleep.
• Continue to create positive sleep associations so your baby can relax and fall asleep feeling secure.

• First and foremost, make sure to take care of yourself as much as possible! Caring for a newborn both day and night during a sleep regression can be exhausting. Don't hesitate to ask for help (partner, family, friend) so you can recover and get some sleep.
• Rest and nap whenever you get the chance, and go to bed early. Sophrology & breathing exercises can be useful tools to offer your body short, restorative breaks.
• Be patient and kind to yourself.

I'm Linda, founder of LiliNappy, a sophrologist specializing in perinatal care & sleep, and a future certified somnotherapist by the SOMNA Institute — the sole global reference in integrative somnotherapy, a gentle and tailored approach to regaining natural and lasting sleep.

I support women in person and online through different stages of their lives: desire for a child, pregnancy and postpartum, as well as those facing sleep disorders like insomnia or nocturnal anxiety.

Because taking care of your baby's sleep also means taking care of your own. 🌙

👉 Discover my support services