Baby sleep 4 months old..

[Cluelessfirstimer]

Think we are bang in the middle of the 4 month regression so surviving on coffee and toast ... but I've noticed little ones sleep is also very disturbed when he is asleep.

He has started violently shaking his head back and forth while asleep. It eventually wakes him up but after about 20/30 minutes of doing so. Its very scary.

GP said on the phone she thinks it's nothing nut has anyone had this at all? I'm kind of freaking out a bit. It's quite scary.

Otherwise he is well... Happy and playing. Naps have gone to shit but expected that.

Even when I put him in bed with me he still does it.

Also I'm aware it can be a sign of autism but it's only when hes asleep and hes pnly 4 months so not thinking this right now. Is it a self soothe thing for babies? It's quite aggressive

Hi @Cluelessfirstimer do you mean turning his head side to side quite quickly? In a way that looks like it would crick your own neck if you did it? My LO has just turned 5 months and does this too! I Googled it and found it’s a self soothing behaviour - god knows how cos it looks uncomfortable.

My baby does it at the start of going to sleep - or if she’s woken up and going back into a sleep cycle. She usually settles to sleep after doing it a few times but I also sometimes sshhhh and stroke her head (as best I’m able) to try and help - maybe that could work? Even if it subconsciously distracts and gives a new soothing method?

And if it helps, she spent month 4 waking more regularly through the night and taking 30-45 minute naps, from almost the day she turned 4 months - but from almost the day she turned 5 months (2 days ago) her overnight stretches have begun lengthening again! Wahey! Touch wood…

She’s still mainly doing 45 minute naps but she did 1.5 hours the other day out of nowhere, and I’ve literally just helped her transition into a second sleep cycle for her current nap (dummy back in, rocking pram) before typing this message - so there’s hope there, I feel! Good luck 🤗

Yeah exactly that. Shaking his head from side to side really fast. Thanks so much for your reply. Puts my mind at ease my little one isn't rhe only one! It does seem to be at the start of the cycle -ie at the start, then about 30 /45 minutes later etc. I'll give that a go thank you!

Glad naps and sleep have gotten a bit better your end - that will help me through these next few weeks and fingers crossed my little one does the same.
Sending love and wishes the sleep and naps keep getting better your end ! X