Four Month Sleep Regression: Duration, Signs and Sleep Tips for Parents

You feel like you’re starting to get a handle on this parenting thing, you’re out of the newborn stage, and then you hear other parents mention the “4 month sleep regression”. What is 4 month sleep regression? How long does 4 month sleep regression last, you ask? Don’t worry, the sleep regression won’t last for four months!

When your baby is around 4 months old, this is a key moment in their growth and development when they might wake frequently and have disrupted sleep patterns from their “normal” routine. This is completely expected and a sign that your baby’s sleep cycles are maturing.

Just know that this is only a phase, and it will pass. Sleep deprived or not, you’re doing a great job.

What Is a Sleep Regression?

A sleep regression will occur when your baby’s growth and development are rapidly changing. It’s normal for babies to throw all sleep routines out the window during this short time! They may wake frequently during the night, nap at different times, or become more fussy when being settled. If they’re struggling to settle and acting fussy, it’s usual for your baby to want to feed more often because it’s soothing and they can feel close to you.

What is a 4 month sleep regression?

The difference you will see in a four month sleep regression is linked to their brain development and evolving sleep cycles. They’re not a newborn baby anymore, where their sleep cycles are short and irregular. It’s not uncommon for parents to see their baby learn something new after sleep regression ages (e.g. rolling over, clapping, etc.).

After the 4 month sleep regression, you’ll notice your baby’s sleep is more structured, and they will dip in and out of light sleep and deep sleep. Be reassured that sleep regressions are expected and completely normal.

How Long Does 4 Month Sleep Regression Last?

It’s called a four month sleep regression because it typically starts when your baby is around 4 months old. Your baby’s sleep regression could last between 2 and 6 weeks, and some babies may take longer than this. On average, a sleep regression cycle can look like:

• Start: 3-5 months old
• Peak sleep regression: 1-3 weeks
• Adjustment period: Up to 6 weeks or more

What are the common signs of a 4 month sleep regression?

Your baby won’t show all of the signs, and each baby will present differently, leading up to a sleep regression. Although there will be moments during sleep regression ages when it feels difficult and you’re tired, just know that you are exactly what your baby needs; you are the safe space they want to grow with.

Babies will show some of these signs during a sleep regression and in the adjustment period afterwards:

• Frequent night wakings (e.g. not sleeping through the night or intermittently)
• Short naps
• Fussiness or clinginess
• Changes in feeding patterns
• Difficulty settling for naps or bedtime

Parents forget sometimes that they’re not alone in this. When you’re awake at 1 am soothing a restless baby, another parent is doing the same. Lean on the people around you to help you through the trickier phases, like sleep regressions, because you need rest too.

Why does sleep regression occur at 4 months?

During the four month sleep regression, your baby is learning lots of positive changes that will aid their sleep cycles going forward. It’s the transition from newborn sleeping patterns, which are irregular, to developing a natural sleep rhythm. They are making their own sleep hormones (melatonin) and getting bigger, so they will need less milk to sustain them through the night.

Your baby is growing an increased awareness of their surroundings and will spend more time in a lighter sleep, meaning they can wake more easily. Despite the inconvenience of interrupted sleep, be reassured that your baby is developing and growing just as they should to reach those important milestones!

Approved Sleep Tips for Babies

Although your baby is out of their routine, this is actually a great time to establish positive sleep habits to help them learn how to self-soothe and wind down for sleep. As their awareness is growing, they can differentiate daytime and nighttime, and adjusting your routine to establish the difference between daytime sleep and nighttime will put you in good standing moving forward.

1. Keep routines consistent

You don’t need a consistent bedtime; you need a consistent bedtime routine. Regardless of what the time is (because life happens!), you can keep your bedtime routines consistent so they know it’s time to wind down. For example, your routine could be: Feed, Bath, Story, Settle, Sleep.

2. Watch wake windows

The best time to settle your baby is when they are coming to the end of their wake window (approx. 1.5-2.5 hours for a 4 month old baby), and before they become overtired. A fine balance, but when your baby is overtired or too alert, they won’t want to entertain sleep easily!

3. Optimise their sleep environment

You can make small differences for daytime naps and bedtime, but keep these changes subtle. Darken the room, adjust the temperature, and check that their clothing and bedding are suitable for safe sleep. You could also use white noise or a cot mobile as an optional extra to help them self-soothe.

4. Support Self-Settling Gradually

Your baby won’t learn to self-soothe instantly after a sleep regression. They need your gentle encouragement, and for you to respond when they need you. Getting the balance right between being responsive to their needs and learning when to give them the opportunity to self-soothe can be tricky at first, but you know your baby best.

5. Keep Expectations Realistic

It’s normal for young babies to wake during the night, you can’t avoid that unfortunately! But what we can control is our expectations as parents for what we consider “normal sleep” at their age. If your baby is waking frequently or feeding more so at night than during the day, you can seek advice from your healthcare professional for further support.

As well as setting realistic expectations for your baby’s sleep patterns, you must also set them for yourself. Take the rest when you need and ask for help to make it possible.

Is Frequent Night Waking Normal?

In short, yes. Even if your baby is not going through a 4 month sleep regression, there may be other factors that cause them to wake often in the night. They might seek your comfort, reassurance that you are close, or need to be fed or changed.

Sleep is one of those things that can vary so much between babies, so don’t feel like you’re not doing the right thing if they appear unsettled. Rather than aiming for uninterrupted sleep, shift your focus to establishing consistent, safe routines that any caregiver can help with.

When to Seek Advice for Sleep Regression

If your baby doesn’t show a difference in their behaviour when it comes to sleep, regardless of whether they are going through a sleep regression or not, you can get support from your healthcare provider or a sleep consultant.

Contact your health visitor or doctor if:

• Baby is ill or in pain
• Sleep problems are severe or persistent
• Feeding difficulties and/or poor weight gain
• Parent feels overwhelmed or exhausted

Reaching out for help is not a sign that you are failing. Read that again. Support and services exist to help parents when they don’t have the answer, so you don’t have to learn and do it alone. Be kind to yourself and accept or seek help when you need it.

Final Thoughts

The four month sleep regression can feel exhausting, but it is a normal developmental stage that nearly all babies go through. Your consistent and gentle response to your baby’s needs at this time will not go unnoticed, and it can teach parents a new element of patience they didn’t know they had in them!

The biggest takeaway here is that although frequent night wakings and changing sleep patterns are normal, you don’t have to do it alone. You are supporting your baby’s growth whilst harnessing the support and resources around you to help yourself through this phase too.

Four Month Sleep Regression FAQ’s

1. Does every baby experience 4 month sleep regression?

Not all babies go through the 4 month sleep regression. It’s not necessarily a sign that they are not developing as expected or not reaching their milestones, as every baby achieves this differently. If you have any concerns, always approach your GP for advice.

2. Can sleep training start at four months?

At this age, it is better to focus on establishing a consistent routine and being responsive to your baby’s needs. Give them short opportunities to soothe themselves and overtime your gentle encouragement will instill positive sleep habits.

3. Will sleep return to normal?

Don’t think of it as “when will my baby’s sleep pattern go back to normal”, because babies rarely revert to old routines. They evolve and learn new ones, and sleep is no different. A sleep regression is your baby’s way of adapting to a more mature sleep cycle as their brain develops to learn new skills.