What's going on with the sleep of my 4.5 month old babies?

[WantToMoveNorth]

Until they were 3 months my DTs would only nap if on the move (in car or pram). However when they reached about 12 weeks they started sleeping quite happily in their cots & life was a lot easier! However they're now 4.5 months & naps are becoming a problem again. They just babble in their cots for ages! It has taken an hour and a half of babbling this morning before they finally went to sleep (I wouldn't normally wait this long- I was just desperate for them to sleep). I know they're tired because they're yawning & pulling at their ears. Their eyes go really red too. I'm taking them up as soon as they show these signs as I'm conscious that being over tired makes it harder to sleep. They've also started waking between 4:30 and 5:30am and will babble away for ages. I just don't know what to do! It's making it hard to get out & about as they get upset as they're tired. I just don't know what's going on! Has anyone else been through anything similar- is it a phase?

Thanks

The 4 month sleep regression? It's a hideous phase!

Thanks. I was thinking it might be the sleep regression, but I thought it was part of a massive growth spurt so they should be extra hungry too? They don't seem particularly hungry, I find it hard to get them to finish a bottle! We've tried feeding them when they wake early, but they're not that interested in it.

I think 4 month sleep regression is more a developmental leap than growth spurt - according to the Wonder Weeks book it's accompanied by loss of appetite. My 4 mo has been sleep regressing for 5 weeks and now it seems to have rolled straight into teething. Joy...

Ahh, that makes sense, thanks.

I hope it doesn't last too long! Typical, I've only just found my feet & then this happens!

Good luck with the teething!

I think babies are little geniuses at waiting just until you think you've got it cracked and then whipping the rug out. I was all on top of things at 11 weeks cos mine was sleeping 8-5 and feeding every 3 hrs. Then it all went to pot - multiple night wakings and feeding schedule totally random. My new mantra is 'I have no idea what's going on' and to go with the flow

By 'babbling' do you mean happily chatting in cot? I wouldn't go in unless there were tears personally, but I seem to be in a minority on MN! DS is 2 and after a busy day takes up to an hour and a half to get to sleep, he just chats to his bear and sings away, bouncing around his cot. I wouldn't disturb them - they're just getting used to the world in their own way. If they want you they'll let you know.