How To Handle Sleep Regression
There is no one rule to suit all unfortunately. Remind yourself that you want your growing baby to be able to get to sleep without being cuddled to sleep.
It is hard and tempting to do for quick wins, but that can lead to more problems down the line. Sleep regression periods generally can last for 3-6 weeks, sometimes you won’t even realise that they have occurred.
Here are a few pointers to help you through these times.
- Establish a routine for your baby and you to get into the flow
- Get to know your baby, follow their signs and cues for when they need to sleep – yawning, rubbing eyes
- Continue as you are, if you are doing your best and caring, feeding, and looking after your baby you can’t go wrong
- Swaddle or offer a pacifier/dummy for your baby to self sooth and feel comforted
- Dream feed, sometimes it is a case of a top up and a cuddle and they will settle back quickly
- Darken the bedroom, will help your baby’s brain associate with night and sleep time
- Check your schedule, make sure you are running to your babies needs and giving them the required opportunity for decent sleep.
- Health check are they feeding and developing on track, if you have concerns consult with your Health visitor to pick up early signs of developmental issues. There is no such thing as a silly question!
- White noise can help to create an environment that shuts out any other distracting stimulus that can wake your baby or toddler.
- Ask for help! At any point if you are finding it over whelming and hard to cope with reach out for support from your Health Visitor, GP, Mother and toddler groups, friends, and family.
It may seem like a never ending cycle, but it will end! Your own mental health is important, sleep deprivation is difficult to manage by yourself, don’t hesitate to ask for help.