Colin Snow
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of whether you should wake a sleeping four-month-old. However, there are some general guidelines and considerations that can help parents make this decision. For example, it is important to understand a baby's natural sleep cycle, which changes as they mature. Newborns tend to have short and unpredictable sleep cycles, while four-month-olds' sleep schedules begin to follow more adult-like patterns, with lighter and deeper stages of sleep. This transition can lead to more frequent waking, especially if the baby hasn't learned to self-soothe yet, which is often a factor in infant sleep regression. Additionally, daytime naps should ideally be limited to 2-3 hours to encourage longer stretches of sleep at night and help establish a healthy sleep rhythm. Other factors to consider include feeding schedules, growth and development milestones, and individual differences in sleep patterns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep duration | 20-120 minutes |
| Circadian rhythm | 4-month leap |
| Sleep regression | Common |
| Self-soothing | Difficult |
| Daytime sleep | Limit to 2-3 hours |
| Sleep schedule | No fixed schedule |
| Sleep cycle | Active (REM) and Quiet (Non-REM) |
| Sleep pressure | Important for bedtime |
| Feeding | Every 2-3 hours |
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What You'll Learn
The 4-month sleep regression
At around 3 to 4 months, a baby's sleep patterns start to mature, transitioning from newborn patterns to more adult-like sleep cycles. These cycles last 60 to 120 minutes, and after each cycle, the baby's body will enter a light stage of sleep and they will often slightly awaken. They will check their surroundings, and if they find that they are no longer in their caregiver's arms, this can cause them to wake up fully and struggle to fall back asleep without assistance.
To cope with the 4-month sleep regression, caregivers can help maintain a consistent sleep routine, offer soothing reassurance, encourage independent sleep habits, and be patient as the baby adjusts. It is important to have a consistent bedtime for the baby, and to limit daytime naps to 2-3 hours to ensure they build up enough sleep pressure before bedtime. While it may be tempting to let your baby sleep longer during the day, this can lead to shorter sleep periods at night and a cranky, overtired baby.
While it can be challenging, the 4-month sleep regression is a sign that your baby is growing and developing. With the right guidance, most babies can master falling asleep on their own by 5 to 6 months, if not sooner.
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Daytime napping guidelines
Naps are important for a baby's development and overall health. A 4-month-old baby will need two to three naps a day. Each nap should be anywhere between 20 and 120 minutes. If your baby is taking multiple naps a day, each nap should not exceed 2 hours. If your baby is only taking one nap a day, it should be limited to 3 hours.
Capping your baby's naps supports good sleep by allowing time for adequate daytime feedings, providing opportunity for active awake time, and helping maintain bedtime between 7:00-8:00 pm.
If your baby is not sleeping for long stretches, don't be alarmed. This means that they are not developmentally ready for long periods of sleep.
If your baby is sick, you can let naps go a bit longer than usual.
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Night-time feeding
For the first one to two weeks of life, newborns need to wake up to eat about every two to three hours. After this initial period, when they surpass their birth weight, most healthy babies don't need to be woken up to eat, as long as they are growing and feeding well. This means they are gaining weight as expected and producing enough wet and dirty nappies per day.
If your baby is healthy and growing as expected, you usually don't need to wake them to feed. They will let you know when they need to eat. However, if your baby hasn't yet surpassed their birth weight, or if they were premature, you should wake them to feed anytime they sleep for more than four hours straight. Most pediatricians recommend that you wake your baby if they are due for a daytime or nighttime feed and shouldn't go without feeding for more than four hours.
Between the ages of two to three months, healthy babies are often able to sleep for six hours without feeding. By three months, many babies settle into a pattern of longer wake times during the day and longer sleeps at night. This can be a welcome change for sleep-deprived parents! By 10-11 weeks, babies who are eating full feedings every 2.5 to 3.5 hours all day, showing steady weight gain, and staying on their growth curve can sleep 11-12 hours at night without needing to be woken for a feed.
If your baby is older than six months and still needs to be fed to settle, it may be time to support them towards more independent settling. However, there is no hurry to phase out night feeds, and it's important to do what's right for you and your child.
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Self-soothing
It is important to give your baby the opportunity to self-soothe and not jump in to soothe them as soon as they make a sound. Allow them a few moments to settle themselves. This does not mean leaving them to cry, but rather listening to their communications and responding if they are genuinely upset. Babies can self-soothe in various ways, such as sucking their hands or thumbs. It is essential to resist the temptation to intervene unless they are genuinely upset.
There are different methods to help your baby learn to self-soothe, such as the "cry-it-out" (CIO) approach, where parents allow their baby to cry themselves to sleep, or the "rock to soothe" method, where parents gradually reduce their involvement over time. The Ferber method, or "Ferberizing," is a variation of the CIO method where parents let their baby cry for a predetermined period before providing comfort. However, these approaches are often considered harsh and potentially damaging to the child, and they may negatively impact parents' emotional states.
The process of teaching self-soothing can be challenging and exhausting, but it is important to remember that it takes time and consistency. During this process, it is crucial to prioritize your baby's safety and well-being, ensuring that they are comfortable and their basic needs are met. It is also essential to consult with a pediatrician or infant specialist if you have any concerns or questions about your baby's sleep habits and self-soothing abilities.
Some signs that your baby is ready to self-soothe include being older than three to four months and showing an ability to self-regulate. Additionally, ensuring your baby is well-fed during the day can help them sleep longer stretches at night and establish a healthy sleep-wake cycle. Limiting daytime naps to 2-3 hours can promote longer nighttime sleep. However, newborns less than six weeks old need frequent night feedings to ensure adequate weight gain.
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Sleep safety
Sleep is vital for your baby's well-being. By four months, your baby should be well on the way toward having a regular sleep pattern. Most babies this age should sleep 12–16 hours a day, including a longer stretch at night and at least two naps during the day. The average amount of daytime sleep is about 3–4 hours.
If your baby is still sleeping after two hours, it is advisable to wake them to ensure they get the full feedings and active awake time they need. If your baby is gaining weight as expected, they can have one longer stretch of sleep at night (4-5 hours). If your doctor recommends night feedings, be sure to wake your baby for those.
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side.
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface and cover the mattress with a sheet that fits snugly.
- Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet. Keep plush toys, pillows, blankets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and bumper pads out of your baby's sleep area.
- To avoid overheating, dress your baby for the room temperature and don't overbundle.
- Keep your baby away from smokers.
- Do not let your baby fall asleep on a product that is not designed for sleeping, such as a car seat, feeding pillow, or infant lounger.
- Avoid using products that claim to lower the risk of SIDS, such as sleep positioners or monitors that detect vital signs.
- Be cautious of separation anxiety, which can cause your baby to wake up more in the night.
- If your baby is unsettled, try going into the room briefly to let them know you're there.
- If your baby is crying, check if they are hungry, wet, soiled, or feeling unwell. If not, it's okay to give them time to settle down.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, naps that go longer than 3 hours (at any age) are typically an indication that your baby is crashing, either from a night of poor sleep or prior short naps. Really long naps can also confuse your baby’s sleep cycles, making it difficult to build up enough sleep pressure before bed or for the next nap.
It depends. If your baby has been sleeping for 2 hours and it's almost bedtime, it's best to wake them to ensure there is enough sleep pressure built up before bed, so that the last nap of the day isn't getting lumped in with nighttime sleep. However, if your baby is taking two or more naps a day, it's best not to let any single nap exceed 2 hours.
Yes, it is recommended to feed newborns every 2-3 hours to ensure they receive the nutrition needed for healthy growth. Sleeping longer than 4-hour stretches at a time, even at night, is usually too long for newborns unless your doctor gives you the go-ahead.
