Your little one who goes effortlessly to bed, sleeps through the entire night, only waking when needs to feed, suddenly starts waking at night. No doubt, a formerly perfect and super sleeper baby suddenly having sleeping problems may frustrate you. Your baby starts waking at the night and starts to fight you at bedtime or does not sleep for a long time. This is nothing but a sleep regression.
What is sleep regression?
“Sleep regression” is a term that determines the time period when your super sleeper baby experiences sudden shifts in sleeping habits. Research says that it happens around 4 months, 6 months, 8 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 2 years of age. And It can last between 2 and 6 weeks. Sleep regression signs are:
- Facing difficulty in sleeping
- Taking no longer nap
- Waking at night too often
- Fussing and crying
There is not much research on sleep regression. Some research suggests that sleep regression is in regards to the brain development changes in babies experienced by your baby during starting phase of life.
It may happen due to several reasons which include:
- Nap transition
- Development milestones
- Separation anxiety
- Life change
Sometimes it is happen due to teething, pain, hunger, and reflux. Sometimes, toddlers experience it because the baby may not have established a solid sleeping pattern.
How can I prevent sleep regression?
This is a very common question that many parents feel. Unfortunately, no one can avoid sleep regression as it is connected with cognitive and physical development. However, the disposition of your child plays a major role in how severe or minimal they are. Therefore, we sometimes notice that the severity of it changes from one child to other.
How can I survive sleep regression?
The key to get survival is familiarizing yourself with the fact that when and why your baby experience sleeps regression. Understand your little one in a better way and give them extra love and care. Here is a list of methods you can do:
Before your little one become overtired, get your baby to sleep
- Show your baby with some extra care, snuggles, and love
- Strictly adhere to your bedtime routine and if do not have then implement it
- Implement some healthy sleep practices
When to consult a doctor about sleep regression?
While sleep regression end by itself, do not hesitate to ask about it the pediatric doctor in Ahmedabad if you have any query or concern. This problem lasts for more than 6 weeks even though you try your best, and do not know the reason behind it then you should definitely consult the best pediatric hospital in Ahmedabad. The reason for sleepless babies can be bloody nasal discharge, fever, or swollen glans. Therefore, Pediatricians give you advice that helps you get to know how babies can sleep better.
Wrapping up:
Sleep regression is a very annoying experience for most parents. But being parents, understanding the basics, being mentally and physically prepared, and implementing some action plans will make it easier to cope with it.