04/26/2023
Hey mommies! Do you know if your tiny human is having sleep regression or teething?
Being a newborn care specialist, postpartum doula, sleep conditioner and sleep trainer I’ve seen just about everything!
Here are my tips for helping your baby during a regression:
1. Pay attention to changing sleep needs.
As babies get older, their wake windows change (They may even be ready to drop a nap!). Make sure that your little one has appropriate wake windows for their age. This will help them have enough sleep pressure - not too much and not too little - to fall asleep and stay asleep.
2. Practice new skills during awake time.
Practice new skills during the day and working on new physical and cognitive skills during awake times.
3. Plan for active awake time.
Babies and toddlers need active awake time so fill their wake windows.
4. Keep bedtime in the sweet spot.
Most babies and toddlers do best with a bedtime between 7:00-8:00 pm. This time is typically when little ones fall asleep the easiest and stay asleep the longest.
5. Understand the changes happening in your tiny human brain.
Sleep regressions are a result of developmental progressions. Understanding what is happening developmentally for your baby will help you support them during awake time, which will make sleep easier.
6. Maintain healthy sleep habits.
Consistency is the KEY sleep helps to move through a sleep regression more quickly and sleep regressions can last 1-2 weeks.
7. Start with a great little sleeper.
If you’re struggling with your child’s sleep, I Love What I Doula can help even if you have a newborn, infant, or toddler, my years of experience will help you create a holistic plan to achieve more consistent and restful sleep for everyone in your family, even during regressions.
