If you’re about to enter the wild world of parenting, chances are you’ve already heard the whisperings about the legendary four-month regression. I remember freaking out about it long before I even thought about having a baby! It’s like a storm cloud hanging over your baby’s journey, ready to roll in. But here’s the real scoop: while the four-month regression is indeed real and can be a tough ride, it’s usually the hardest one you’ll face and if you are prepared, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Many seasoned parents say the others aren’t nearly as daunting—some even claim they shouldn’t be called ‘regressions’ at all! Exciting, right? Before we dive into what makes this milestone so challenging and how you can weather it like a pro, let’s discuss what actually happens during this period.
Understanding the 4 stages of sleep
When delving into sleep research, Dr. William C. Dement stands out as a pivotal figure. His groundbreaking work focused on analysing brain and eye activity during sleep, leading to the identification of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.
Sleep Cycle
Stage 1 – Non-REM Sleep
In Stage 1, Non-REM sleep begins as the lightest phase, acting as a transition from being awake to falling asleep, typically only lasting a few minutes. We are all familiar with this stage, when you feel yourself drifting off but you have not yet fallen asleep.
Stage 2 – Non-REM Sleep
Stage 2, Non-REM sleep encompasses about half of the sleep cycle (also considered the first true sleep stage), during which the body enters a deeper state of relaxation. At this stage, there is a noticeable decrease in heart rate and body temperature, while the brain shows slowing activity interrupted by brief surges known as sleep spindles.
Stage 3 – Non-REM Sleep
Stage 3, Non-REM sleep, commonly known as deep sleep or slow-wave sleep, plays a vital role in physical recuperation and recovery. It is marked by the presence of delta waves, which are slow brainwaves. During this stage, a person is toughest to wake up, as the body focuses on healing and growth.
Dr. William C. Dement identified 5 stages of sleep, however, stage 3 and stage 4 are extremely similar and stage 4 is just a continuation of stage 3. Here, your body is rejuvenating energy levels and supporting the body’s growth and repair processes.
Stage 4 – REM Sleep
Stage 4, REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is characterised by increased brain activity resembling that of being awake, which often leads to vivid dreams. During this stage, most voluntary muscles are temporarily immobilized, with the exception of newborns. REM sleep plays a vital role in cognitive processes such as consolidating memories, enhancing learning, and regulating mood.
After cycling through all the stages of sleep, we either briefly awaken or come close to waking, then the process starts over, repeating until it’s time for the alarm to ring.
Newborn sleep (0-3 months)
Now that we’ve explored the four stages of sleep, we can understand why the four-month sleep regression is such an important milestone. Unlike older babies and adults, newborns experience only two stages of sleep: REM and non-REM (stage 3), with their sleep time evenly split between these two stages. Around the four-month mark, infants undergo a significant sleep reorganization as they transition to the four-stage sleep cycle they will continue to use throughout their lives.
During this transition, a baby’s time in REM sleep decreases from 50% to 25% to accommodate the introduction of the first two lighter sleep stages (stage 1 and stage 2). Although REM sleep is relatively light, these new stages are even lighter, leading to more frequent awakenings as the baby adjusts to this new sleep pattern.
Sleep Training
I’ve labeled this section as sleep training because, during this phase, it’s completely normal for your baby to wake up more frequently. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you or I can do to prevent these wake-ups. The goal of sleep training isn’t to stop your baby from waking—we all wake up multiple times throughout the night. The difference is that, as adults, we recognise our surroundings and can seamlessly drift back to sleep, often without any memory of waking.
Unless your baby is trained (by a specialist or yourself), then your baby will have difficulty drifting off back to sleep independently. If your baby did not fall asleep independently (for example, your baby fell asleep in your arms, being fed, rocked or whatever other way) then waking up alone at night can be a bit scary for them. They were not in the same place as they were earlier that night and that is what triggers a cry or a call for help at night. They will naturally freak out and stimulate the fight or flight response.
The problem with the four month regression is that this change is permanent, so unless your baby is taught to navigate their way, then you will find it quite challenging.
Parents intervention and light sleep
In summary, as your baby begins spending more time in lighter stages of sleep, there’s a higher likelihood of them waking up. This makes parental intervention more problematic. While sleep props or sleep associations might have been charming and effective when they were younger, they can turn into obstacles as your child grows. These aids might help your baby fall asleep initially, but as a parent facing long, tiring days, you’ll likely find it’s unmanageable to attend to every single nighttime wake-up. It can easily become overwhelming.
A positive spin to the four month regression
Although tiresome for some, I want to remind you that your baby going through these changes is a great thing – it means they are developing and growing nicely! So, this is actually a progression and should be celebrated!
How can we help your baby adjust?
Focus on the bedroom environment
While it might seem simple and obvious, many parents are hesitant to make the room completely dark, fearing that their baby will be scared. However, babies aren’t afraid of the dark. In fact, the darker the room, the better they sleep, both for naps and at night. It’s important to remember that newborns are not frightened by darkness; rather, they’re sensitive to light. So, take the necessary steps to make the space pitch black!
Noise is another factor to consider. Since babies spend more time in lighter stages of sleep, external sounds can disturb their rest and lead to more frequent awakenings. A white noise machine is very effective at filtering out these disruptions, making it a worthwhile investment.
Additionally, ensure the room is comfortable by maintaining an appropriate temperature, keeping the crib clear, and using a cozy sleeping bag. These elements will create a calm, dark, and safe environment for better sleep.
Bedtime Routine
I cannot stress this enough: having a bedtime routine will be your greatest ally! Begin with a bath to smoothly transition from day to night. Feed your baby at the start of the routine to prevent any associations between feeding and sleeping. Keep the entire bedtime routine to under 30 minutes.
Consistency with your bedtime routine is crucial so you do not have an overtired baby. Bedtime should be between 7-8 PM.
Teach Independent Sleep Skills
As your baby will be waking up more frequently, if you have not yet trained your baby to sleep independently, now is the time. If you would like help doing so, please do get in touch.
A reminder about the importance of sleep
Sleep is vital for everyone, not just babies. It plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being by allowing the body to repair itself, strengthening the immune system, and supporting emotional stability. Getting enough sleep enhances cognitive functions, such as learning and memory consolidation. Conversely, a lack of sleep can negatively impact mood, productivity, and focus, affecting many aspects of daily life. Therefore, prioritising quality sleep is essential for both physical and mental health.
So, as a parent, understanding the fundamental importance of sleep for both you and your baby raises an important question: why sacrifice one of life’s core pillars? Unless your child has medical reasons that prevent consolidated sleep or lead to irregular awakenings, there is no need to endure such unhealthy practices. This is where “Sleep Made Easy” can support you. I can help teach your baby essential sleep skills, ensuring both you and your baby enjoy restful nights. By fostering healthy sleep habits, you can enhance the well-being of your whole family.
Be realistic: You will have set backs
It’s important to understand that you’re dealing with a baby, and even when they are sleep-trained, things won’t always be perfect. Real regressions can occur due to travel, illness, teething, and more. You’ll also encounter developmental progressions, such as crawling, standing, talking, and walking. The key difference between a trained baby and one who isn’t is that a trained baby may experience setbacks during these times but will quickly recover, whereas an untrained baby may not. Most babies need to be taught how to sleep (though there are exceptions, and if you’re one of those parents, you’re fortunate), so let’s stay ahead of the curve!
