Sometimes parenting seems like you are participating in a secret experiment to determine how long you can live with sleep deprivation before losing your mind. You got through the first couple of months with little sleep when your baby came into the world. Just when you thought you were home free and able to get more than 5 hours of sleep in a row, your baby hit their first sleep regression at 4 months. Once you white knuckled it out of that one, bam! your baby began their roll over sleep regression. Ugh. Well, misery loves company because I am here to tell you that you are in for another one in short order.
Around 6 months, another sleep regression may occur due to growth spurts, introduction of solids, or new physical abilities like rolling or sitting independently. Also in babies who don’t yet have the skills needed to fall asleep independently at sleep onset and through the night, can find their sleep further eroding at this age due to the sleep debt that has been accumulated from the 4 month sleep regression.
Why Everyone Hates Sleep Regressions
Sleep regression can be a tough time for both babies and their parents. It usually happens when a baby who once slept soundly through the night suddenly begins waking up and crying frequently. These regressions are short-lived, generally lasting between 2 to 4 weeks, though the exact length can differ depending on the child and the milestones they're experiencing. Common triggers include growth spurts, reaching new developmental milestones, changes in routine, illness, or adjusting to new surroundings.
Common Signs Sleep Regression
Signs of sleep regression include increased night waking, difficulty falling asleep, heightened fussiness, and resistance to napping. These regressions can happen at various stages of development.
6-month Sleep Regression Survival Guide
Make sure baby gets lots of practice transitioning to sitting up independently and develop those muscles needed for this skill. Take your time on introducing solids and consider baby led feeding, so your baby is in full control of what they experience when it comes to new tastes and textures. Babies can become overwhelmed by too many new things especially when they aren’t able to hold, squish, play, throw and taste these new substances. Let them explore at their own pace.
By this age it will also help to allow them space to learn independent sleep skills if not done already, in order to pay back any sleep debt from the 4 month sleep regression. A child who isn’t sleeping well, may be too stimulated by the presence of a parent, which leads to poor sleep as well.
6 Play-based Exercises that Will Help Your Baby Learn to Sit Independently
Babies begin to build the muscles to sit independently between 4-8 months. You can help your child meet this milestone and ward off sleep regression by integrating these play-based exercises below into your baby's daily routine.
These exercises are free with the Fledgling's Flight app. CLICK HERE to create your FREE account. Once you have entered your child's details, click on the names of the exercises below to view the exercise.
You will see information about each of the exercises such as the recommended age, frequency, amount of time to spend on each exercise, development skills to be built, supplies list, and step by step instructions. Begin with both the "Heads up" and "Baby Crunches" exercises at the same time to help them build the core strength that they will need to eventually hold themselves in a sitting position and the neck strength to maintain balance. Once your baby has completed both of the exercises at least 15 times, you can introduce the "Pull Forward" exercise. Don't move to the next exercise until they have mastered the one that they are doing.
Heads Up Exercise - Helps to build neck strength
This exercise encourages your baby to lift their head from a pillow while on lying on their back. It is a great exercise to strengthen neck muscles. It is like sit ups for the head!
Baby Crunches Exercise - Builds core strength in order to build pre-sitting up skills
The key to your little one’s mobility and independence is muscle strength. All the will in the world it not going to get them where they want to go without the muscles strength to get their body moving. This exercise will help build the muscles that will, over time, allow your baby to get themselves into a sitting position on their own.
Pull forward Exercise - Builds core muscles to be able to pull to sitting position when hands are held
Building muscles along with bilateral exercises is the going to take your baby places, literally. Your job for the next couple of months is to help your little one build the skills and muscles to get moving. This exercise will help to build core strength that will be used to sit up, crawl and stand. Complete "Baby Crunches" 15 times before your baby does this exercise.
Get Up and Get Down Exercise - Teaches your baby the mechanics used to push themselves into sitting position from lying on their side.
Once your baby has mastered "Pull Forward" and "Please Remain Seated" and has built some serious abdominal muscles. Now is the time to give them the tools to get into a sitting position from lying on their tummy. Make sure you keep doing "Heads Up!" exercises because neck strength is the key to staying seated.
I've Got Your Back Exercise - Helps your baby to sit upright with support
Once your baby has built strong enough neck muscles, they will have an easier time remaining in a seated position. But before they can sit up and stay up, they need to find their balance. You will notice your baby wobbling around as they try to find their center. Make sure that your little one has completed at least 8 "Get Up and Get Down" before doing this exercise as you will be using the sitting-up technique for this exercise. If you notice that your baby's head is still flopping, you should stop the exercise and build more neck strength before attempting this exercise.
Please Remain Seated Exercise - Builds core strengthening to stay in sitting position
This exercise should be done after completing "Baby Crunches" exercise at least 15 times and then "Pull Forward" exercise at least 15 times in order to build the core strength for this exercise.
Additional Ways You Can Help Your Baby Sleep Better:
Establish Consistent Bedtime Routine:
Create a soothing bedtime routine with activities like bath time, reading, and cuddling to signal sleep time.
More Crib Time:
Offer more crib time, even if your child seems like they aren’t tired and all they want to do is play. Being out of the crib means they won’t have a chance to sleep, so if you end a nap early, you won’t know if your child would have ever fallen back to sleep. Once the regression is over they’ll go back to sleeping normally, so keeping to the regular schedule is important.
Provide Connection:
Offer extra connection time during periods of anxiety or separation anxiety to help your baby feel secure. Play games like peekaboo to get them laughing with you and feeling your warm energy, helping them feel like all is well.
Minimize Changes:
Avoid introducing new habits during a regression that could become long-term expectations for your baby, especially if these expectations are not sustainable for you. It’s ok to offer a bit more reassurance than usual when needed, as long as you gradually pull back when the skill or milestone has been mastered, or else we risk the regression becoming permanent.
Optimize Sleep Environment:
Ensure the sleeping area is conducive to rest—quiet, dark, and cool. Re-evaluate if the room is actually dark enough. Sleep is easiest in a pitch black room where your child can’t see any light and become distracted. Light also decreases the release of melatonin which we want during sleep periods.
If your child's sleep regression persists beyond 6 weeks or if you have concerns, consult a sleep expert. Remember, while sleep regressions can be challenging, they are a normal part of your baby's development and will eventually pass if you’re following our tips above.
About the Author:
Alison Macklin | Mom & Founder CEO - Sleep of Mind: Certified Child Sleep Expert, a Certified Hand in Hand Parenting Instructor, and mother from Toronto, Canada
She came up with the idea for Sleep of Mind's reflective infant sleepwear. The one-of-a-kind patent pending design on their swaddles and sleep sacks lets you see your little one's chest rising and falling, giving you peace of mind with a glance at your night vision baby monitor. No wires, batteries, or electronics are needed, as the swaddle design uses the light being reflected from your baby monitor. They believe in good sleep being accessible to all without the need to buy expensive gadgets that also aren’t recommended by the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics).
Their sleepwear is specially designed to give parents more visual input on their child’s movements via any video monitor with night vision. This makes it easier to see your child's chest rising and falling. And easier for you to breathe a sigh of relief.
Read more about how they have chosen the best fabrics, suppliers, and closures for their sleepwear.
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