4 to 6 Months Old Baby Sleep

Getting adequate sleep is very crucial for a baby as all their vital organs and bodily functions require a good amount of rest in order to develop. As a parent, it is important that you ensure your child gets a good amount of sleep by observing their sleep patterns and ensuring they do not stray from a regular routine.

There are ways in which a parent can establish good baby sleeping habits and it will require some effort on your part to identify these patterns in your child.

What is My Baby’s Sleep Pattern?

Every baby is different and you need to be sensitive to your baby’s needs and patterns so that both of you get the rest that you deserve. The good thing is, you can try and teach your baby how to achieve a proper sleep pattern, which will take care of your baby’s complete sleep requirements for the day and also give you much-needed rest.

A 4 month old baby sleep pattern can differ from a baby who is slightly older, say, a 10-11-month-old baby, so watch out for this.

By around 4-6 months, your baby will begin getting used to a regular sleep pattern. There are instances where some infants might require breast-feeding at night, but the frequency of this happening tends to reduce.

How Much Sleep Does My Baby Need? (4-6 Months)

Babies at this stage and age, generally sleep around twelve to sixteen hours a day. This includes the longer night-time sleep, with two naps in the day.

During The Day:

On an average, daytime sleep is around three to four hours, spread throughout the day. The need for naps during the day may reduce as your baby grows older and her sleep regularises.

During The Night:

At night, babies typically log around 10 hours of sleep. By the time babies are 6 months old, most of them sleep through the night for 9 hours, or maybe even longer.

How To Establish Good Baby Sleeping Habits

You can start any bedtime routine which works in order to get your baby to sleep. A few soothing activities and actions that lead to drowsiness always work. You can also give your baby a nice warm bath after which some singing or stories can signal the end of the day. These activities could be utilised as a bedtime ritual for many years, even as your child grows up.

In time, you would prefer that your baby falls asleep on their own. That would require you to complete any night-time routine you have before placing the baby inside the crib when they’re drowsy. If they do cry, it is better to move away for a few minutes and allow them to settle and fall asleep on their own. Resist the urge to cuddle them, especially if you want them to learn to fall asleep on their own. If the crying continues, you may consider holding the baby a bit longer..

Are There Any Sleep Problems At This Age?:

There are a few 4 to 6 month old baby sleep problems that need to be addressed if they are recurring, but with practice and time, your baby will start getting used to sleeping on their own. Babies can suffer from separation anxiety also, so make sure you watch out for the signs.

Baby Sleep and Development:

Having adequate sleep is necessary to prevent a baby from being cranky all the time and also keep them healthy and free from illnesses. As their bodies are still developing, getting enough sleep puts babies in a position of adequate rest, ensuring all body functions are carried out at optimum levels. Development of the immune system is an especially energy-consuming developmental milestone, alon with brain development. Both require the baby to be well-fed and well as well-rested.

Sleep Tips for 4 To 6 Months Old Baby:

Indeed sleeping is an important aspect of baby development. It is also one that is relatively easy to manage, as compared to having to deal with an illness or nutrition problems, etc.

Following are a few simple tips that can be followed to ensure your baby gets good sleep. :

• If your 4 month old naps on their back, change this habit. Ensure that they nap on either side or their stomachs.
• Provide them a surface that is firm and cover the mattress with a sheet that is snug.
• Do not put other stuff – like pillows, soft-toys, etc. – inside the bassinet or crib. If required, place a baby monitor. It can be used as an effective sleep solutions for babies as you can try and listen for cues of your baby waking up in the middle of the night when you’re not in the same room.
• Avoid overheating of the room and of your baby too. Ensure the baby always feels cool (but not cold), and is sleeping in ambient environment. Try to avoid over bundling.
• Try giving them a pacifier to suck on while asleep. If the baby seems unwilling to accept it however, then don’t try to force it on them.

Watch out for any hazards like cords, wires or ties that can affect the baby. Ensure that their sleeping environment is safe and sound.

What if baby wakes at night? Do not worry. This might be because they are distracted or need some pacifying before sleeping. Ensure that they are completely asleep when you place them back in the crib.

Signs of a Sleeping Baby

A few months post your baby’s arrival, you will notice sleep patterns and signs emerging. A 5 month old baby sleeping a lot is a good sign as they need a lot of rest. As a parent, you just need to ensure that they are not sleeping more than the normal number of hours they do.

Often new mothers may have trouble identifying signs of sleepiness. Here are a few signs of a sleeping baby:

• Their facial expressions can go from being relaxed to grimacing.
• They can start looking away from you and stare into space.
• They rub their eyes and ears.
• Heavy yawning.
• Clenching their fists

Some babies have their own idiosyncrasies when it comes to sleeping, so the faster you can identify them, the better.

Always ensure your babies get good sleep and have a peaceful early childhood. This is because the amount of nutrition and rest they get in their first few years plays a major role in their development later on.

Read this article in Arabic: نوم الطفل من عمر 4 إلى 6 أشهر