Welcome. This site is here to introduce you to the idea of Practical parenting.
With the plethora of information out there, how do you decide which methodology is the right one for your family? This site will help you upon your parenting journey.
What is sleep regression, and is it real?
OKAY, now I have heard everything... recently in my infant support group someone asked about their 4 month old having a sleep regression. I kind of went: HUH??? Seems she googled sleep problems and came up with many blogs about this phenomenon. I had never heard of it before and said so, she laughed and said her pediatrician had never heard of it either.
So, here is what basically happens to your four month old and then you can count on some version of it every three to four months, (in my experience that is, not a scientific study, just an in vivo one),
After three months your baby begins to know that they are separate from you. They also know that it is cold and lonely in their crib ,and if they cry, mommy comes with the breast or bottle and makes it all better. They like that so they try it again and again. This coincides with their beginning ability to move about. So, in the middle of the night, they may practice rolling over, or get stuck and wake themselves up...and then realize, you guessed it, it is cold and lonely and if I cry out ,mommy will come with the breast or bottle, you get the drift right?
For an older baby, they may try to crawl around or practice cruising or walking in their crib in the middle of the night. Then, when they wake up they realize they are alone and ...so on and so on.
All babies are developing cognitively as well, and that is something we cannot see. Their brains are working overtime as well as their bodies developing. Throw in some teething pain and you have a bit of poor sleeping. These changes in sleep patterns are normal, your baby is not regressing but is in fact progressing in their development,.
So, let's put that negative wording away. Even though we are exhausted, and tired and feel like it will go on forever, just let people know it is not a regression, but a wonderful progression of your child becoming a wonderful little person.
Mission Statement:
Parenting is the hardest job there is. I believe in parenting with humor. There will always be very serious moments, but we should try to look for the humor in life wherever and whenever we can .
About the Practical Parenting Coach:
Linda Stern LCSW can be contacted at:
LSternlcsw@gmail.com
I am Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-r). I have worked with
Children and Families for 16 years providing clinical family services
both privately and through agency work. I am
a facilitator of various Parenting Support Groups, and function as
part of a nursery school faculty. Initial 30 minute consultations are free of charge.
I am insurance reimbursable under some insurance plans, offer
reasonable rates, and can guide you on a journey of Practical
Parenting through local home visits in Westchester, New York, and
globally via telephone appointments and through E-mail contact.
