How To Get 4 Month Old To Sleep

Solution to 4 month sleep regression

Just when you thought you had bedtime beat: your baby is fussy and wakeful. Not to worry; after helping hundreds of new parents navigate the dreaded 4-month sleep regression, friend of Nested Bean and Certified Sleep Consultant Rachel Turner has 10 tips you need to get things back on track.

What's happening?

At 4 months, even good sleepers suddenly experience a 2-3 week sleep regression , when they won't sleep and wake frequently at night and sleep through the night seems a long way off.

The good news? It's not actually a regression at all—it's more like a progression : a sign your baby's sleep cycle is maturing. She'll be on this new cycle for the rest of her life and into toddler sleep.

The challenge? At this age, your baby's also learning to roll over, absorbing language, recognizing faces, becoming more active—all milestones that can contribute to sleep regression. Helping your baby with healthy sleep habits can be a challenge.

Is it normal?

Very normal—although it can be trying for mom and dad. Newborns only experience two sleep cycles a night. But at 4 months, your baby starts cycling through 4 stages of sleep patterns, like adults.

Suddenly, she'll spend more time in a lighter, non-REM sleep stage, causing more frequent wake-ups. And it may take her a little time to adjust but with sensible sleep training, you could improve sleep patterns.

What can I do about it?

Knowing it won't last forever can be a comfort—but here's what you can do in the meantime.

1. Slowly break sleep associations

Learning to sleep independently can be hard for babies—and negative sleep associations can make sleep regression even more challenging. Many newborns have sleep problems but with sensible sleep training, independent sleep can be achieved.

2. Use lightly weighted sleepwear

During the 4-month sleep regression, a little extra comfort can go a long way to help sleep problems. A lightly weighted swaddle (if baby isn't rolling over yet) or sleeping bag will help keep her calm and cozy.

How to do it: Start with some extra cuddles as part of your bedtime routine, then dress baby in gently weighted Zen Sleepwear™ to help them self-soothe through the night.

3. Feed as much as needed

The 4 months sleep regression often coincides with a growth spurt that will make the baby extra hungry. When feeding your baby it is not uncommon for babies to experience an increase in appetite during the time.

How to do it: Don't be afraid to give them what they ask for. When you feed your baby an extra-long feed or a dream feed before you head to bed might help your baby sleep a little longer.

4. Black out the nursery

Newborns aren't afraid of the dark, but they do respond to light; it tells their brains that it's time for activity. So at bedtime, the darker the better—especially during a sleep regression.

How to do it: Keep the nursery dark by putting black-out curtains on any windows letting natural light in and avoid turning on the lights for any middle of the night feeds or diaper changes this will help baby get back to sleep.

5. Put baby down drowsy, but awake

It's sometimes hard for parents to get baby sleep. Getting baby in the crib before they're totally asleep helps teach them how to fall back asleep independently—it's also going to help you break those sleep associations.

How to do it:Once you get baby calm and they appear drowsy and ready for baby sleep, put them in the crib or bassinet right then instead of waiting until they are fully asleep. This can also help with sleep training .

6. Keep it quiet

Any extra noise is going to distract baby from sleep and achieving baby sleep, especially now that they're spending more time in lighter sleep stages.

7. Stick to your routine

The 4-month sleep regression might make it difficult to stay on your normal schedule but skimping on your routine will make it that much harder to get to it once the regression is over. The goal is to get baby to fall asleep and achieve sleeping through the night.

How to do it: Consistency is key. The timing may change but keep your sleep routine activities the same. Don't have a routine yet? Now's a great time to start one.

8. Adjust baby's bedtime

To compensate for shorter naps during the day, try moving bedtime ahead. Not getting enough will make baby overtired, only adding to the fussiness of the four-month sleep regression.

How to do it: Depending on their daytime sleep schedule , move bedtime up by an hour or more so they can get some extra Zzz's. This might require dropping their last nap of the day.

9. Give them time to practice

The 4-month sleep regression usually coincides with babies learning to roll over. Your baby is trying to master this new skill and might think bedtime means practice time.

How to do it: Incorporate plenty of tummy time into playtimes during the day so your baby won't be distracted when you're trying to get them to sleep or go back to sleep.

10. Don't do it alone

The 4 month sleep regression, while only temporary, can be utterly exhausting. Be sure to take care of yourself: Your own overtiredness can actually rub off on your baby.

How to do it: If your partner, family, or friends want to help, let them. Switch off with a partner on night shifts or have a friend over during the day to squeeze in a nap for yourself.

4-month sleep regression Survival Guide

Get through the sleep regression with this pre-sleep checklist, helpful mom hacks, and a wakeup-tracker.

Baby in Zen Sack

New mom sleep hacks

"I wish I would have found and tried the Zen Sack sooner! I decided to try it after dealing with sleep regression for the last few weeks. The first night I put this on my 4 month old son was an immediate improvement. He started sleeping through the night again! It's safe to say I love this product."

- Amazon Customer, 11/18/2016

Common questions from tired parents

What is a sleep regression?

Can I prevent the 4-month sleep regression?

Does every baby go through the 4-month sleep regression?

What causes the 4-month sleep regression?

How long does the 4-month-old sleep regression last?

Can the 4-month sleep regression happen before or after 4 months old?

How much should a 4-month-old sleep?
Does swaddling help with the 4-month-old sleep regression?

How is the 4-month sleep regression different than other sleep regressions?

Can Zen Sleepwear™ help with the 4-month sleep regression?

What else should I expect at the 4-month mark?

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