Your baby is growing, and she needs more sleep than ever before. That’s why you might be noticing that she’s getting up more often in the middle of the night, or taking longer naps during the day. It sounds like your baby is going through a sleep regression.
A sleep regression usually happens around three to six months of age, but it can happen at any time. Sleep regressions are normal, so don’t worry! With some patience and consistency on your part (and maybe a few potty training tips!), you can get back to more peaceful nights. Here’s what to expect when your 6 month old has a sleep regression.
What is sleep regression?
One of the most difficult sleep challenges is sleep regression, which can lead to severe parental frustration. A regression occurs when a baby who sleeps at night suddenly wakes up in the middle of the night. If the baby is struggling, it may take a while to fall back to sleep or even begin taking naps poorly. Parents are unaware of the reasons for these sudden changes. Of course, each regression is different for each child. Most regressions, on the other hand, are related to developmental milestones or breakthroughs.
It is common for sleep regressions to occur at six weeks, four months, eight to ten months, 12 months, 18 months, and then again at two years of age. The sleep regression period can last 2 to 6 weeks. Once the regression is over, your baby’s sleeping patterns will return to normal. Basically, it’s just a temporary phase, so stay healthy and don’t stress yourself out.
The reason for a 6 month old sleep regression is mainly related to rapid brain growth. The infant starts crawling, slipping, sitting, waking up, saying words, and etc. The first teeth appear in many newborns, along with developmental milestones.
How do you know if your baby is experiencing sleep regression?
Sleep regression can be caused by a variety of factors that make newborns anxious, worried, or restless. Any of these changes could indicate sleep regression.
- Waking up frequently during the night
- Sleep deprivation
- Increased agitation, clutching, or a gloomy mood
- Crying uncontrollably
- Suddenly resist taking a sleep or take a brief nap
Consult a physician if your infant continues to have sleepless days, does not gain weight, has changes in urination or defecation (particularly decreasing), or has problems breathing.
How can you help your baby during this time?
Unfortunately, sleep regression is a normal part of being a baby or a toddler and there is nothing you can do to prevent it. The good news is that sleep regression tends to only last a short time.
Around 6 months of age, babies usually undergo another growth spurt. As the child gets older, it becomes easier for them to sleep through the night and to wake only when they need snuggles, so it might be time to start introducing sleep training.
In the meantime, following a routine at night and a sleep schedule will help you avoid 6 month old sleep regression issues. Keep calm and know that this will pass as well. You might find these suggestions helpful if you are a sleepy new mom or dad dealing with a sleepless baby.
Nurse Your Baby to Sleep
Nursing your baby to sleep may seem like a healthy and enjoyable nighttime routine, but it may result in poor sleep habits that interfere with your baby’s ability to sleep well. You may find that your baby will need that same cue to fall back asleep at night if he gets nursed regularly to sleep. It doesn’t matter if your baby sleeps in a crib or shares your bed. Despite the fact that sharing your bed with your baby may make nursing easier during the night, you may experience more middle -of-the night awakenings. Don’t despair if your child has already experienced 6 month old sleep regression . It’s never too late to learn healthy sleep habits. Using the following nursing techniques will help you to soothe your baby to sleep:
- Consider nursing earlier in your baby’s bedtime routine, or reducing the amount of time you spend nursing at night.
- Instead of breastfeeding your baby at bedtime, breastfeed him or her earlier in the evening.
- Ask your spouse to assist you during midnight feedings or wakings to help you get the rest you need. You should pump milk before you go to bed, and your partner should wake up with the baby to give them a bottle of milk or formula.
Basics of How to Put Your Baby to Sleep
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Make a bedtime routine
Establishing a routine at bedtime will help us to get into the habit of getting to sleep at the same time each day. You can, for example, read a picture book to your baby 30 minutes before bedtime and make some actions habitual to signal your baby that it’s time for bed.
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Spend some time with your baby slowly before going to sleep.
Together, take a bath, have a skinship, sleep together, etc. It is thought that spending time with your infant might help them relax and go asleep.
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Prepare the bedroom environment
To recognize the difference between morning and night brightness, lower the light before going to bed. Maintain a comfortable temperature in your room, and avoid sleeping in a setting that is excessively hot or cold.
The firstborn child is “full of unknown things,” according to mum and dad. Investing in a baby monitor is a fantastic method to keep a close check on your baby while still maintaining your personal space while they sleep. You can effortlessly watch your baby while they are sleeping with the Cubo AI Smart Baby Monitor, and you can identify immediately if they unexpectedly wake up during 6 month old sleep regression .
Skip the Nap for a Day or Two
The impulsive, curious, and highly energetic nature of toddlers makes napping a natural way to recharge after a busy morning or afternoon playing and exploring.
At most, a six-month-old can stay awake for 2.5 hours. This is referred to as “awake time.” The amount of time a newborn can stay awake comfortably between nap intervals. Your baby may not be able to stay awake for this long at the start of the 6 month period, but this will change as the 6 month period progresses. In addition, the first hour of awake time before the first sleep will be closer to two hours.
Many parents are unsure when their baby’s nap should be dropped and when a nap transition should be made. This is true whether you are transitioning from three naps to two naps, two naps to one nap, or one nap to none. If your six-month-old is routinely refusing his or her third nap of the day, it may be a sign that we’re ready to wean him or her off of that nap. Don’t get rid of the nap too soon. Keep an eye out for indications that your child is ready to transition, and give it at least a week or two before switching to be sure.
If you see any of the following indicators, it’s possible that the baby is ready to skip his nap.
- Afternoon naps make it difficult for infants to fall asleep easily at bedtime.
- Your infant isn’t displaying any indications of sleepiness.
- Long naps are gradually becoming shorter.
- The baby can fall and stay asleep for the morning nap, but not for the afternoon nap.
- Your Baby will not nap under any circumstances.
Keep in mind that for babies, skipping a nap normally happens pretty easily as you increase your baby’s awake time between each sleep during the day. As the baby gets bigger and those awake periods rise, you will run out of time for the last nap of the day, and that nap will be skipped.
Conclusion
All sleep regression is tough and stressful. Remember that they are only temporary regressions, and you must accept them as they occur. The most essential thing is to give peace of mind while maintaining a good sleeping habit.
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