Baby suddenly only sleeping 3hrs/time @nite. She's almost 4 months - what gives?

Marabeth - posted on 05/31/2010

sleep habits change drastically all throughout the first year (and beyond!). whether it's growth spurts, teething, emotional upheaval, milestones or other changes in their daily life it is pretty constant that they bounce back and forth between sleep patterns. as long as your baby seems well rested during the day between naps she probably is! although i'm sure you wish you were too ;)

Chris - posted on 05/31/2010

Thanks very much ladies!

Elissa - posted on 05/26/2010

I have never heard of sleeping evening out at this age - it is usually when there is a big change and you usually get well-meaning but uneducated people (including health professionals) telling you to start on solids although it is way too early. My baby slept through the night from 1 week (12 til 6) until four months then growing and teething set in and he hasn't slept more than 3 - 4 hours since (he's nearly 9 months) although it seems to be evening out again now.

There isn't really much you can do - I have tried baby massage, sleepy oil and talcs, music and changing light devices and all sorts. Sometimes it work, sometimes it doesn't - it is more to do with him and the night he is having.

If you are breast-feeding co-sleeping may be helpful on particularly bad night. I dont encourage it but sometimes it is the only way we both get some sleep and b/fing mothers have been shown to be VERY responsive to their babies when sleeping - just not in between you and dad.

Some people might suggest not feeding in the hopes she will give up because she isn't being fed but I have found Struan is usually really hungry or needs the soothing for his teeth and when I try to persevere it just distresses both of us and I end up feeding him anyway.

So my advice (eventually) is go with the flow and dont get stressed because the more stressed you both are the less you will sleep. And when daddy gets in from work, hand baby to him for dad and daughter time and go for an hours lie down, even if you cant sleep, to make up some of what you lose during the night. Dads get away with far too much because people insist on thinking of parenthood as a job that mum does instead of something you both do 24/7 regardless of everything else so make sure he pulls his weight too!

Kate - posted on 05/26/2010

The four month mark also bring along some sleep regression for some babies. The good news is that it doesn't last for long.....anywhere from 2-4 weeks. We've just gone through the same thing and instead of feeding him (as I know that will create a habit that is hard for them to break) I just hold him until he settles and he's now dropping the frequent wake ups - thank goodness! Hang in there, this too shall pass!!!!

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 05/26/2010

My daughter slept well from 2-4 months. Once she started rolling over her slept change dramatically and not in a good way. Developmentally milestones, teething and illness are all things that can interrupt sleep. I just learned to cherish the nights where she slept well and be there for her when she didn't. It could still be a growth spurt. See what she weighs next week. Sleep for us has been a roller coaster. Now at 12 months she sleeps pretty well. She's been waking 1-2 times recently due to new teeth coming in, but she's starting to sleep through more and more. It's tiring, but it will pass. Enjoy the late night cuddle with your little one. You will miss them eventually :).