Skip to content Your little one has been sleeping like an angel for the past month. They go to sleep easily, are easy to settle, and only wake up to eat. Then, all of a sudden, he starts fighting you in bed, screams for hours, and doesn’t sleep for 30 minutes. What in the world happened?! Well, the bad news is, they’ve gone to bed. Good news? It only takes a few weeks. I know, I know. A few sleepless weeks seem like a lifetime. I hear you. But it is important to remember that they pass and you will do it pass them. So, what is sleep recovery? What makes them tick? What are the best ways to reduce sleep deprivation? Good questions, let’s jump into it.
What are Sleep Regressions?
Well, they are exactly what they sound like. Sleep regression occurs when a baby goes from sleeping well to having difficulty falling or staying asleep.
What Causes Excessive Sleep?
Remember the amazing leap we discussed last week (read part I and part II)? Eh. That’s why. Whether it’s learning a new skill or separation anxiety, jumping is a common cause of poor sleep in babies. It is possible for your child to vomit up to four times in their first year at four, six, eight, and twelve months. All of these are related to economic growth.
Other reasons your child may be struggling include:
- Schedule changes – such as starting childcare
- Walking
- Getting sick
- Shaving teeth
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Relapse?
Babies, like adults, can have “nights” to sleep. Maybe their stomach is upset or there is a noise that wakes them up. These nights are not counted as back-to-back, especially if they are just a night here and a night there. Sleep recovery is long and can last from 2-4 weeks. Here are some symptoms of sleep deprivation:
- Crying at bedtime
- Trouble sleeping
- Waking up frequently throughout the night
- Short sleep
- Too much conflict
Can You Prevent Sleep Relapse?
This is a very common question among parents. Unfortunately, no, you cannot completely prevent sleep. This is because it is related to the growth of consciousness and body. However, your child’s appearance can affect how small or difficult they are. You may also notice a big difference in the difficulty of falling asleep from one of your children to another. They are truly a personal experience.
How to Make It Through Sleep
Knowing when and why your child is experiencing sleep problems is critical to overcoming them. For these reasons, your child needs more love, understanding, and patience. So, here are a few things you can do to get it in one piece:
- Don’t let your child get too tired, be strict about bedtime and bedtime
- Show them some extra love during the day with snuggles
- Work on your bedtime routine, or do something about it if you haven’t already
- Consider a sleep training program, we are always available to help with this
- Try some of these healthy sleep habits
Backsliding can be especially difficult for parents who are at the top of their game. But being prepared, understanding the basics, and having a plan of action will make it easier to get through them.
If you need sleep training or want help to ease your sleep, we have specially trained doulas on staff who are ready to help either one-on-one or one-on-one.