By 4 months, you may have noticed that your baby doesn't sleep quite as much as she once did. That teeny newborn who used to nap so often? She's now more active and social, and increasingly interested in exploring the world around her. For many 4-month-olds, that means less daytime sleep and more hours logged in their cribs at night. Show
Every baby is different, but your little one's sleep routine may start to become somewhat more predictable this month. However, the dreaded 4-month sleep regression can also appear around this time, making parents feel like they're right back in the newborn days. (Don't worry — as exhausting as it is, this stage will pass!) Here’s what you should know about your 4-month-old's sleep schedule, plus how much sleep your baby needs at this age. How much should a 4-month-old sleep?A typical 4-month-old should get between 12 and 17 hours of shut-eye a day, including nighttime sleep and three or four naps. Still, every baby's sleep needs are different, and it's normal if your child snoozes a little more or less than that. Your 4-month-old has a stronger grasp on day and night now and may be able to sleep for six to eight hours overnight (although, again, this varies). What's the best sleep schedule for a 4-month-old baby?Some babies start to settle into a more predictable schedule this month, but keep in mind that the 4-month sleep regression can cause poor sleep for a period of time. Naps can last between 30 minutes and two hours, and it's also common for babies to start transitioning from four to three naps. Depending on how many naps your 4-month-old is taking, a typical day may look something like this: Continue Reading Below Read This NextSample sleep schedule for a 4-month-old taking four napsThis schedule assumes your little one is awake for 75 minutes to two hours at a time and naps four times during the day.
Sample sleep schedule for a 4-month-old taking three napsThis schedule assumes your little one is awake for 75 minutes to two hours at a time and naps three times during the day.
Can you sleep train a 4-month-old?Although it's not necessary to sleep train your baby, many parents find that these methods help their little ones learn how to sleep through the night, and pediatricians often give parents the green light to try sleep training at 4 months. By this age, your child can learn how to self-soothe and fall back asleep without your help. While there's no right way to sleep train, there are a few different methods, and the best one for your family depends on your comfort level. A few of the more popular methods are cry it out (or "extinction," which involves letting your baby cry until she falls asleep without any intervention), the Ferber method (checking on your baby at increasingly longer intervals) and the chair method (parents sit in a chair in baby's room, gradually moving it closer to the door). Keep in mind that sleep training isn't necessarily the same as night weaning and your 4-month-old may still need to eat at least once during the night. Your pediatrician can offer guidance on the best time to drop one of her nighttime feeds. What is the 4-month sleep regression?In general, sleep regressions are phases when a baby wakes up more during the night or struggles to nap during the day — and the 4-month sleep regression can be especially challenging for parents. Your baby may have finally started sleeping for solid periods of time, then she's suddenly waking up more frequently again. Sleep regressions often coincide with developmental milestones. At 4 months, your little one is becoming more aware of her surroundings and may be learning how to roll over. She might wake up in the night and want to practice this exciting new skill — then struggle to fall back to sleep. Luckily, these regressions are normal and typically don’t last long. If you stick to your baby's bedtime routine (more below), most little ones get through the 4-month sleep regression in about two weeks. 4-month-old sleep tipsThis month, continue to focus on establishing healthy sleep habits.
4-month-old baby sleep problemsEven when you follow the advice above, sleep problems can occur. Here are some of the most common ones you might face at this age — and what to do about them.
Remember: Every baby is different and some little ones need more time than others to fall into a sleep schedule. Continuing to follow a bedtime routine and maintaining healthy sleep habits will help your baby get there before long. From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy. Was this article helpful? How long should a 4 month old go between naps?2-4 months: 1.5 to 3 hours between naps. 5-8 months: 2.5 to 3 hours between naps. 9-12 months: 2.5 to 4 hours between naps.
Is a 3 hour nap too long for a 4 month old?It might be tempting to let your baby sleep longer than three hours, because let's be honest, having that much time to yourself is wonderful. But naps that go longer than three hours (at any age) are typically an indication that your baby is crashing, either from a night of poor sleep or prior short naps.
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