With the first year of parenting almost in the books, you’re ready for things to get easier. And they will, right? Well, sort of – but don’t be fooled into thinking that parenthood is an easy ride from here on out.
Even once your baby has proven that they can sleep through the night and stay in their cot until morning, you’ve still got a few more hurdles to jump. Three-month-old babies commonly experience sleep regression, when they wake up frequently or sleep for shorter periods when they used to sleep well.
Some babies may go through the regression within a week, while others may continue for a month.
Understanding the 3-Month Sleep Regression
3 month sleep regression is a phenomenon that occurs when the amount of sleep is shortened or when waking up repeatedly during the night occurs. Some babies may suffer from this for a week, while others may suffer from it for a month. Some babies do not experience this, but many do around the age of 3 months.
3 Month Old Baby Sleep Pattern
An average 3-month-old baby needs between 14 and 17 hours of sleep per day, according to the National Sleep Foundation of the United States. Most babies sleep 14-15 hours per day. This is the time when they spend much more time awake than when they were just born.
Babies begin to differentiate between day and night around the age of 3 to 4 months. They progressively develop a sleep routine, waking up more frequently throughout the day and sleeping in clusters at night. Around 3 months of age, more and more newborns are able to sleep in clusters at night.
However, many babies still wake up numerous times during the night as a result of shallow sleep.
3 Month Old Baby Behavior
Babies grow at an incredible rate as the months pass. It’s amazing to watch a baby grow into an entirely different person than he or she was a month ago.
- The first three months of life are also considered a developmental milestone. The standard height is 57.5 to 66.1 cm for boys and 56.0 to 64.5 cm for girls. The estimated weight is 5.1 to 8.1 kg for boys and 4.8 to 7.5 kg for girls, about double the weight at birth. Some babies begin to trace and see, although their vision is limited at roughly 0.04 to 0.08, therefore it is best to expose them to a variety of objects.
- Around this time, the baby’s head begins to settle, and he or she can be held upright or on a piggyback, which makes things easier for mom and dad. There’s no need to rush babies who grow slowly; they’ll start getting their heads around 4 to 5 months.
- Another characteristic is the start of tossing and turning. As the baby’s neck settles, he or she attempts to roll over on his or her own, increasing the amount of movement required.
- The “whimpering” period is another stage. Many babies irritate adults around them by crying and whining incessantly. However, because this is a developmental milestone for the baby, he or she may be confused. Be patient and keep an eye on them.
- A 3-month-old newborn may perform a strange action known as “hand regard,” in which he or she stares at their own hand. The newborn learns the sensations of the hand, for example, by repeating this gesture. Because some babies do not do this, there is no need to be concerned if they do not.
- Around the age of three months, babies begin to smile. Mothers and fathers should strive to make their babies laugh a lot because they can’t speak but can communicate with others by laughing.
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How to Survive the 3 Month Sleep Regression
If you’re having difficulties getting your infant to sleep and suspect 3 month sleep regression, try some of the tips below.
Arrange a Sleep Schedule
The average sleep for 3~4 months is said to be around 14 hours. If it seems not enough, you can adjust the sleep schedule by adjusting naps and bedtime.
Spend Your Baby’s Waking Hours In a Cheerful Manner
Try to spend time in the sun and in bright places. While awake, try to provide lots of stimulation through limb exercises, music, toys, picture books, etc.
Prepare the sleeping environment
Many babies are scared of pitch-black rooms and have difficulty sleeping in them, much alone brightly lighted spaces. Some babies may feel more at ease if the room is darkened first, then slightly brightened with a night lamp or other light source.
Because children’s body temperatures are higher than adults’, even temperatures that adults consider appropriate may be too hot for them. The bedroom temperature should be kept around 20-22°C (68-86°F), which is slightly cold for adults, and should be humidified.
In the winter, set the air conditioner to 18-20°C, and in the summer, set it to 25-27°C. Also, if the conditions are changed from when they were placed to sleep, babies may become worried and wake up crying in the middle of the night after a shallow sleep. The baby may be able to fall asleep easily even after waking up if the environment is kept consistent, as by keeping the room temperature at a consistent level.
Follow a Sleep Routine
During 3 month sleep regression, if you follow the same bedtime routine every day, it may help your child go to sleep more easily. For example, it could be as easy as taking a bath, changing clothing, brushing one’s teeth, crawling under the covers to read a story, and going to bed.
Some moms said that including picture books or items that make children feel positive about things or objects they are scared of, or giving them a little more time to play, such as reading a picture book, helped them fall asleep more quickly.
If your baby is having trouble sleeping, is not gaining weight, has changes in urination or bowel motions (particularly decreased), or appears to be having difficulty breathing, contact your pediatrician instead of trying to solve the problem as a family.
Conclusion
When 3 month sleep regression arises unexpectedly, it can be difficult for parents to cope, resulting in a reduction in their daily sleep duration. Knowing ahead of time what’s causing baby’’s condition and how to manage it, as explained in this article, might help alleviate some of the stress.
Consider it a sign that your baby is entering a time of development. Furthermore, whether or not 3 month sleep regression occurs is determined by the individual. If you don’t see any indicators, it’s better not to be concerned and instead to keep a close eye on your baby without comparing him or her to other youngsters.
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