Sleep Disruptions

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Month 5

Last Month's Wow:

Connection

Baby is starting to behave more like a baby. Primitive reflexes are becoming more refined and are replaced by the ability to recognize faces and the will to do things by themselves; feeding and pooping schedules are starting to get more predictable.

The Wow of Now:

Sleep Disruptions

Baby is gaining control of their head, neck, and tongue. This means that the first tastes of food are right around the corner.

The Wow Ahead:

Food is Information!

Baby is gaining control of their head, neck, and tongue. This means that the first tastes of food are right around the corner.

The Wow

Out of the controlled chaos that is the first three to five months of life, baby’s temperament is starting to emerge. As neural-pruning continues, sleep rhythms begin shifting in distinct circadian phases, helped by the production of melatonin and the rhythms you’ve been setting. As baby’s sleep rhythms mature, they begin to mimic yours: brief wakings as they toggle between light and deep sleep cycles every few hours throughout the night. Even for adults, night waking 3 to 4 times a night is normal and goes largely unnoticed. But for baby, it can mean crying when they wake and discover their surroundings have changed from when they fell asleep. There are many ways to help baby handle this transition in sleep, and it’s important not to assume that they’re up because they’re hungry. Remember: not all crying is hunger, although, baby may feed for comfort. Because sleep is essential for development and growth, healthy habits can be the first tool to aid in self-soothing and gaining sleep skills.

The How

  1. 1

    Surprise Sounds

    Routine: Play Time
    of 1

    Grab your baby's favorite noise maker — a rattle or maraca work well — and lie your baby down on their belly or back. Without allowing your baby to see the noisemaker, give it a gentle shake. Watch your little one shift his head in the direction of the noise; if baby doesn't turn their head, shake again. Be playful, repeating a few times with the noisemaker in a new spot!

    Why?

    Consistent routines encourage flow. They provide security that helps baby organize new information in their brains. Meanwhile, repetition strengthens the connections they are creating every day. Having a consistent bedtime routine can help trigger melatonin production (a hormone that sends out signals that it’s time for sleep). These routines lay the groundwork for smoother transitions in the future, when baby is more conscious of the world happening outside their crib.

  2. 2

    Drowsy (but Awake)

    Routine:
    of 2

    Rather than rocking or feeding baby to sleep, try to put them down “drowsy but awake” (sleepy, but not fully asleep). Baby may fuss for a few minutes but is more likely to learn to fall asleep on their own. If they fall asleep while feeding, try changing their diaper to wake them up just a tiny bit before putting them down.

    Why?

    When baby falls asleep while being rocked, held, or fed, they will expect it every time they fall asleep (middle of the night, nap time, etc.) for many years to come. This can become an added stressor for you and for baby as they get older. It’s hard to think about your baby as a two-year-old or a six-year-old right now, but trust that the healthy habits you create now will benefit them later.

  3. 3

    Establishing a Consistent Sleep Routine

    Routine: Bedtime
    of 3

    This is the time to pick a bedtime routine. Some combination of a bath, massage, music, book, and a nice cool room is a great place to start. Settle on a routine that encourages slowing down and creates a calm, quiet environment. Avoid screens in the room where baby is sleeping, and consider using a wave or white noise machine to help drown out distractions. And, if you haven’t already, consider switching to a more absorbent diaper — like the Healthybaby Pull Up Style Diaper  — for longer periods of dryness overnight.

    Why?

    Consistent routines encourage flow. They provide security that helps baby organize new information in their brains. Meanwhile, repetition strengthens the connections they are creating every day. Having a consistent bedtime routine can help trigger melatonin production (a hormone that sends out signals that it’s time for sleep). These routines lay the groundwork for smoother transitions in the future, when baby is more conscious of the world happening outside their crib.

    “Sacred routine on one side and novelty on the other = the framework for engaging.” Dr. Cowan

Support for You

You already know the impact of sleep on baby’s mood, growth, and functioning. The impact on the entire family is also worth mentioning. Getting more quality sleep is linked to a reduction in parental stress, plus improved parental health and relationships. There are a lot (A LOT) of opinions out there on what is best sleep-wise for you and for baby. But no opinion can ever outweigh what feels right for your family. Sleep is a biological necessity. We encourage you to make a plan around sleep learning and to figure out what feels doable. Consistency. Is. Key.  

Take a moment to check in with yourself and how you and baby have been doing. Believe it or not, you’ve already paddled a loooong way down the stream from birth.  And don’t forget that ESP is a quick way to gauge the basics: Eating, sleeping, and pooping give you objective information about the health and well-being of your baby.

Let's Check on the Basics

Poop Icon

Eat

Is baby eating?
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Sleep

Is baby sleeping?
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Poop

Is baby pooping?

Yes on all three? Great! One or more No’s? Let’s talk about it.
Contact us for support resources!

As our name suggests, healthy development is super close to our hearts here at Healthybaby. We'd love to tell you more. Right this way!

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