Sleep regression is that moment in your child’s life when everything they knew about sleeping goes out the window. Sleep regressions are temporary but can be very disconcerting for both you and your child. It’s like one day they are an experienced sleeper and the next, they don’t know how to go to bed again.
If you have just experienced a sleep regression with your baby, then you know it can feel like the end of the world. You worked hard to get them into good sleep habits, only to have all of that progress disappear before your eyes.
However, there is no reason to panic or lose hope! Every baby goes through a sleep regression – and yours will too. Here is everything you need to know about them so that you and your little one can recover quickly and start making progress in the right direction once again.
What is Sleep Regression?
Sleep regression can occur when children have problems falling asleep or waking up repeatedly during the night just as they feel they have established their sleep pattern. Sleep regression is common between the ages of 4 months and 2 years, but the timing and duration vary from person to person. Over time, the frequency of waking tends to decrease and the sleep rhythm returns to normal, a process that can take a few weeks to a month.
Why Do Babies Have Sleep Regressions?
Babies at six months are undergoing tremendous growth as well as changes to their sleep cycle and daily routine. During a 6 month old sleep regression, many babies have difficulty getting asleep after going to bed, waking up crying in the middle of the night and struggling to settle back to sleep after feeding, or waking up in the morning and still struggling to fall asleep.
What Causes Sleep Regressions?
Babies who are always happy and comfortable get a good night’s sleep. If the amount of milk or breast milk is adequate and the number of times he pees is not a problem, it also indicates that he is a healthy child, so there is no need to be concerned. On the other hand, some babies do not sleep at all from the time they reach 6 months. Some newborns begin to cry at night around the age of six months. There are a variety of factors, but this is the age when many moms start to worry that their newborns aren’t sleeping well as a result.
Teething begins, and the child becomes irritable.
Teeth begin to erupt in babies at roughly 6 months of age, peaking at 1.5 years of age, when most of the teeth have appeared except for the backmost ones. Many babies cry at night because of grogginess during this teething time since their gums are uncomfortable and itchy. Some babies cry at night just when their back teeth are starting to erupt, whereas others cry only when their front teeth are starting to erupt.
Memory Retention from Strongly Stimulating Experiences
A child who experiences strong stimuli while awake, such as being around many people, being around loud noises, or experiencing intense movement, the brain organises those memories while they are sleeping, causing excessive nighttime crying as a result of fear.
Babies are Just Talking in Their Sleep
In their sleep, some adults speak loudly and clearly. Babies are no exception. Children do the same thing, making weird noises while sleeping or suddenly shouting. Babies, on the other hand, speak only their own language. In other words, if you panic and think your baby is crying, the baby is actually still asleep, and the shock of holding him or her may wake him or her up and cause him or her to cry even harder. If this continues, the baby will be unable to sleep and his or her circadian cycle will be disrupted.
Strategies to Help Your Child During a Sleep Regression
Many mothers are worried and frustrated by their 6 month old sleep regression. Some mothers have told us that they try to change their daily routines to help their children sleep better at night and find ways to spend time with them during the day. Here are some suggestions for surviving a 6 month old sleep regression.
Take Them To Their Bedrooms At Set Times
Make sure your baby gets up at the same time every day and goes to bed at the same time every night. It is important to allow your baby to develop a rhythm, even if on weekends both parents want to rest a little and wake up or go to bed later. You’ll be teaching your baby to associate sleeping in the bedroom with going to bed by saying, “Let’s go to bed and sleep.” every night.
As Much As Possible, Darken The Bedroom
Dim light bulbs are used in some households, but they are too bright for babies, whose eyelids have thin skin. Put the lights out if you can, and place a small light at the bottom of your bed where the baby cannot see it.
Sleep Initiation Routines Are The Same Tasks You Perform Before Each Sleep
It may take some time to find one that feels perfect for your baby because each one has different preferences, such as reading a storybook, caressing the baby’s belly, or patting the baby’s head. However, as you get more established, your baby will be able to recognize that this is a signal to sleep, and the process of falling asleep will become easier.
Don’t Hold Your Baby Right Away
As soon as you pick him up, he may wake up in your arms. Therefore, if you think he cried at night, watch him for three minutes before you pick him up. A baby’s nighttime cries may be a form of sleep talking. You may think it is too long, but if he is not hungry or uncomfortable in his diaper, he will sleep again in that amount of time.
Do Not Turn On The Lights At Night
Turning on the lights in the room is one of the things that happens during diaper changes. When babies sense the brightness, they misinterpret it as “wake-up time” and wake up immediately. They won’t sleep for a while if you wake them up.
Take Naps With Your Baby During The Day
It is critical for mothers to schedule time for sleep. Do your household chores as you see fit during this time, or leave those that aren’t urgent until later. Even 15 to 20 minutes of lying down and closing your eyes can help. It can be difficult to get caught up in childcare if you sleep too long, but simply taking a nap will clear your head and mind.
Get Your Family To Help You
Do not take on the responsibility of raising a child on your own during a 6 month old sleep regression. On your husband’s day off, ask him to look after the baby for a few hours during the day so you can get some rest, or ask him to handle the crying at night the day before his day off. This is also the time of year when you may crave more alone time than sleep, so going out for a few minutes alone is advised. If you don’t refresh yourself in moderation, you’ll explode, so keep doing what you want with the help of your family.
Conclusion
The amount of time that babies sleep varies from person to person. Some newborns sleep soundly, while others cry excessively and irritate their mothers. Of course, having a baby who sleeps well is preferable for mothers, but is it possible to help a child that has 6 month old sleep regression.
