By: Liane Mamo, Certified Child Sleep Consultant (Good Night Sleep Site Ottawa)
During the 4th trimester it’s all about going with the flow and attending to your newborns needs, bonding and doing whatever it is you need to do to get them (and you!) some sleep. There does come a time when biologically your infants sleep patterns mature and sleep becomes a little more organized. At this time your baby is capable of a set daytime nap schedule and consolidated nighttime sleep.
When does this biological shift happen?
We often hear of a sleep regression at 4 months and while it it’s called a regression, it can actually be a good thing! It’s now the perfect time to work towards a solid sleep schedule (by the clock) vs following their sleepy cues.
Why is a sleep schedule so important?
Your child now works off of a consistent 24-hour clock (circadian rhythms) and here’s where the schedule naturally kicks in. While a go-with the flow schedule may work well for your child, there is now optimal times throughout the day where sleep hormones are higher. Think of it as ‘wave’ when surfing that you want to catch. When you hit these newly formed sleep waves your child will fall asleep easier and stay asleep longer and a consistent schedule is formed. Plus, these new times allow your child to get the most restorative sleep possible to keep them rested each day.
How can you get your baby on a schedule?
While some babies naturally fall into their newly formed sleep waves, most babies need a little help to tap into these newly formed biological rhythms to begin a schedule. On average a child between 4-6 months should be having an early am and early pm nap (both 1.5-2 hours long) and a 3rd late afternoon catnap. Naturally your child at this age may start to be more consistent with timing of the morning nap, then eventually the afternoon nap. To start, take a look at your child’s wake time. Are they getting up too early or too late making it harder to work towards a consistent schedule? Is one nap much longer than the other? When establishing a sleep schedule there may be times you need to wake your baby to protect the schedule or stretch them out to hit nap times. In addition to working towards a schedule, making sure your baby’s sleep environment is important as well. A room that’s consistently familiar and conducive sleep will help keep them sleeping and on schedule. With anything (when it comes to establishing healthy sleep habits), persistence, patience and consistency is key!
Liane Mamo is certified infant and toddler sleep consultant with Good Night Sleep Site Ottawa and mom to a superhero-obsessed 4-year-old. Liane is committed to providing families with emotional and educational support to help their baby or child with their sleep needs. Find Liane at her website or on Facebook and Twitter for sleep tips, free sleep Q & A’s, articles and more.
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