Updated on September 12, 2024
You can hardly believe it – three months have passed since "baby" turned your world upside down. Three months filled with unconditional love, cozy cuddles, and long afternoon naps together on the couch. But also three months of restless nights – changing diapers, feeding, changing diapers, feeding. Assembly work.
Finally, you think to yourself, the tough nights are over. Your baby has more or less adjusted to a regular sleep schedule. Finally, you can sleep through the night again. But then…
BAM – suddenly everything changes! Is your baby having trouble falling asleep? Waking up constantly at night and only taking short catnaps during the day?
BAM – suddenly everything changes! Is your baby having trouble falling asleep? Waking up constantly at night and only taking short catnaps during the day?Schlafregression bei Babys gehört? Das ist völlig in Ordnung. Wir erklären dir, was es mit der gefürchteten 4 Monats-Schlafregression auf sich hat und wie du dein Baby in dieser herausfordernden Phase unterstützen kannst.
But first things first.
So, your baby is between three and four months old (or older) and suddenly doesn’t want to sleep anymore? No wonder you’re concerned! Don’t blame yourself; it’s not your fault. The reasons for this challenging sleep behavior are biological—and completely NORMAL. Spoiler alert: Along with learning many new cognitive and motor skills, your baby is also learning how to sleep.
How does all of this connect? What do growth and developmental spurts have to do with it? And why shouldn’t you fear the infamous 4-month sleep regression? You’ll find out next.
Below, we answer the most common questions about the 4-month sleep regression:
Harbingers of sleep regression are sometimes growth
It’s 8:00 PM. You’re exhausted. It’s “baby’s” bedtime – and you’re ready to hit the pillow yourself, hoping to catch a few hours of sleep before your night shift begins all over again. Just a few days ago, this wasn’t an issue. Your baby would easily fall asleep in your arms. But now?
Suddenly, your baby doesn’t want to sleep anymore—neither in your arms nor in the carrier or in their bed. You try anyway, but no luck.
Does this sound familiar? If so, your baby might be right in the middle of their first sleep regression, the so-called 4 month sleep regression. Schlafregression, der sogenannten 4 Monats-Schlafregression.
Is the term “regression” new to you? That’s totally okay. “Regression” is often used by sleep experts to describe phases in a baby’s or toddler’s life when sleep patterns take a turn for the worse. (Yes, moms and dads, there are more sleep regressions to come - sorry!) “Regression” is just another word for “setback.” But the term can be misleading because a sleep regression isn’t really a setback. On the contrary, it signals a developmental leap. And that’s precisely what’s happening during the 4 month sleep regression.
At around 4 months, your baby experiences their first major developmental leap. In addition to gaining new cognitive and motor skills, they’re also learning how to sleep! While newborns often fall asleep and wake up at seemingly random times, many babies begin to establish a new sleep pattern by the 3rd month.
The good news: Your baby’s sleep cycle is gradually starting to mirror that of an adult. The downside: Your baby’s brain needs time to adapt to these significant changes. For many babies, this results in sleep disruptions or regressive sleep behavior. The outcome: your baby isn’t sleeping well.
Keep in mind that the 4-month sleep regression is a normal developmental stage for babies between 3 and 5 months old. It’s an important milestone in your baby’s growth, and there’s no need for concern.
Want to learn more about your baby's or toddler's sleep patterns, growth, and developmental spurts? Happy Baby creates a daily sleep schedule tailored to your child's age and current needs.
The 4 month sleep regression typically occurs around the 4th month of life. However, some babies may show signs as early as the 3rd month, while other parents might not notice changes in their baby’s sleep patterns until the 5th month. In some cases, parents might observe little to no changes at all. The timing of when your baby experiences a sleep regression is unique and depends on their individual development. So, there’s no set timeline for it. Schlafregression durchläuft, ist individuell und hängt von der jeweiligen Entwicklung ab. Es gibt also keinen festen Zeitpunkt dafür.
Rolling over, grabbing, smiling—you’ve eagerly awaited these milestones, and now they’re finally here. At around 4 months, your baby experiences the first of many growth and developmental leaps—both cognitively and physically. It seems like they’re making big strides as they start to get to know their hands, feet, and the world around them. This progress also affects your baby’s sleep.
Some babies continue practicing their new movements in their sleep, while others get so distracted during the day that they need to nurse more often or have a bottle at night. This often leads to babies turning night into day again—much to the joy of Mom and/or Dad.
During this time, your baby also develops a completely new sleep pattern. This is one of the most significant and lasting biological changes. What exactly changes? Your baby’s sleep rhythm—specifically, their sleep cycle, which gradually starts to resemble that of an adult.
Newborns have a sleep cycle of about 40–50 minutes with very short sleep phases. This means that your baby switches between deep sleep and light sleep every 40–50 minutes—also known as NREM and REM phases.
Starting around the 4th month, your baby’s sleep cycle undergoes a major change: Deep sleep is divided into three additional phases, so your baby now goes through five sleep stages. The sleep cycle now lasts an average of 90–120 minutes, much like yours. Pretty amazing, right?
There’s just one tiny catch: After each sleep cycle, babies often wake up briefly to make sure everything is as it should be. Is Mom and/or Dad still next to me? Am I still in the same place where I fell asleep? And who’s snoring so loudly?
Since most babies at this age haven’t yet learned to fall back asleep on their own, they need help from Mom and/or Dad. That’s why they wake up every 90–120 minutes, asking for the breast or bottle and wanting to be cuddled. Makes sense, right?
Babies develop at a rapid pace. The numerous physical, cognitive, and biological changes can easily overwhelm them and contribute to sleep regression. So be patient with your little one.
Everything that changes during the 4 month sleep regression
You’re probably wondering, how to spot the 4 month sleep regression. That’s a valid question.
If your baby’s sleep habits suddenly change and you notice the following signs, you’re likely already in the midst of a sleep regression.
Typical signs of the 4 month sleep regression include:
These signs may indicate a sleep regression. Regardless of the reason, remember: your baby isn’t trying to give you a hard time. They’re having a hard time and need your support now more than ever.
If you’re unsure whether it’s a sleep regression, consult your pediatrician or healthcare provider to rule out any underlying health issues.
Uh oh - caught in the middle of the 4 month sleep regression? Looking to help your baby and understand their sleep patterns better? Happy Baby designs a daily sleep schedule customized to your child's age and specific needs.
The changes in your baby’s sleep patterns are permanent, which means you’ll soon be able to sleep for longer stretches again. It also means that your baby’s sleep issues won’t last forever.
The 4 month sleep regression typically lasts around 3 to 6 weeks. Some babies resume peaceful sleep after just a few days, while others may experience regressive sleep behavior for several weeks before their sleep improves. The duration varies from baby to baby—there’s no set timeline. So be patient with yourself and your baby; it will pay off.
Sleep is essential for your baby’s growth, well-being, and healing. That’s why neither you nor your baby should have to miss out on good sleep. As a mom, you likely sense when your baby isn’t feeling well, and it’s only natural that you want to help them through this challenging time.
Not sure how?
Here are some helpful tips to guide you and your baby through the 4-month sleep regression together:
How to manage the 4 month sleep regression
Let’s be honest - a sleep regression can be incredibly exhausting and draining for everyone in the family. That’s why it’s so important to understand what’s behind a sleep regression and how you can come through this challenging time stronger.
Remember: There’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
Uh oh - caught in the middle of the 4 month sleep regression? Looking to help your baby and understand their sleep patterns better? Happy Baby designs a daily sleep schedule customized to your child's age and specific needs.
Between the third and fourth month, your baby’s sleep pattern goes through a major transformation. Previously, they slept irregularly without a consistent day-night rhythm, but this is the stage when their sleep pattern starts to mature. In other words, your baby’s sleep rhythm is gradually becoming more like that of an adult. Your baby now goes through additional sleep stages and has longer sleep cycles than before. It’s common for babies to wake up between sleep cycles and struggle to fall back asleep on their own. This is completely normal. That’s why they wake up more often at night and seek your comfort. Additionally, during this time, your baby is experiencing a major cognitive and motor development leap, which can further affect their sleep and its quality.
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