Infant care brings in a new experience every time, and it doesn’t really matter if you’re already a parent of three or a new one – every experience always provides you with something new to learn. One of the most common subject matters you’ll likely encounter in caring for your little one is sleep regression. As your baby begins establishing their body rhythm, they may experience a sudden change in the schedule they’re keeping.
Your precious baby may go from sleeping for longer hours overnight to waking up every couple of hours once again. The timing of sleep regressions differs from infant to infant, but they usually occur around the age of four months. Other regressions may also concur with developmental milestones and growth spurts throughout your infant’s first year. When your baby is experiencing sleep regression, they’re likely to manifest the following symptoms:
- Having difficulty falling asleep at bedtime
- More frequent waking at night
- Increased crankiness or fussiness
- Sudden resistance to naps
- Increased stretches of separation anxiety
Fortunately, sleep regressions usually don’t last long. They often only last a couple of days, or however long it takes for your baby to become used to a new routine or milestone. If your little one is currently having episodes of sleep regressions, this article might be of help to you! Here are some proven and tested tips on how you can handle sleep regression in your infant.
1. Build a consistent bedtime routine
Bedtime routines are a constant and repetitive set of activities that are performed just before bedtime. It assists your baby in preparing for sleep by making them relax and providing them with a sense of security. Based on research, infants with a consistent bedtime routine usually have great sleep quality, even years after. An excellent sleep will set the foundation for many things, such as self-care, attention, working memory, and other cognitive functions.
There’s actually no right or wrong way to attain a constant bedtime routine with your little one. You can bottle feed them, prepare a long bath for them, and read their favourite stories before tucking them in. It’s highly recommended that you try out a variety of bedtime routine arrangements to determine what works best for your infant.
2. Get rid of any barrier to sleep
The key to setting up a good night of sleep for your baby is to create an environment that’s ideal for sleeping. To do this, consider getting rid of every barrier to sleep. For instance, using blackout curtains often works in removing the bright moonlight and sunlight that might make it hard for your baby to fall asleep. It also helps regulate the temperature of the room.
Aside from blackout curtains, you should also introduce white noise machines, as these will aid in creating a comfortable and womb-like environment that winds down anxious infants and encourages them to stop crying and fall asleep quicker. Additionally, an ideal sleeping environment also includes integrating the essentials, such as mattresses, pillows, and other similar baby care products, into your nursery.
3. Allow a favourite item in bed
If your precious one is finding it difficult to sleep, you should consider introducing security items that can give them the sense of security and comfort that they need. It can be a plush toy or a soft blanket, among other things. However, do keep in mind that it’s advised to only provide them with a security item when they’re already at least a year old. This is because babies younger than 12 months are more prone to death by strangulation or suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
4. Swaddle your baby
Swaddling is the customary practice of gently wrapping an infant up in a breathable and light blanket to imitate the environment in the womb and help the baby feel calm and secure. This practice also protects your little one against their natural startle reflex during sleep and keeps their hands off their face, thereby avoiding any injury. You can swaddle your baby using sleeping bags or swaddle pods, but make sure to choose one that meets the safety standard.
Conclusion
Although sleep regression isn’t usually a cause for concern, it can be very stressful and tiring for both the baby and the parent. Make this period less difficult for you and your precious infant by following the tips shared in this article. They can help alleviate the symptoms of sleep regression in infants and ultimately give you and your baby fewer sleepless nights.
For swaddles, blankets, and beddings that can help reduce or eliminate sleep regressions in your infant, Tudl Care is the one-stop online baby store in Singapore that you can count on! Our products are all made of high-quality materials and are designed to give extreme comfort to your baby during and beyond their sleep. Aside from this, we also offer a variety of other essential infant care products, such as bamboo cloth diapers, silicone bibs, teethers, educational toys, and more.
To learn more about our incredible baby products, don’t hesitate to contact us here today.