Help! 4 month sleep regression?

[TwinkleMerrick]

Advice pls. My baby girl has always been a great sleeper. Sleeps through the night from about 2 months.

But past couple of weeks she only wants to sleep on me. Her naps seemed to have got very short. If I let her sleep on me, or in her pram then all is fine. The moment I put her down in her cot she wakes up and thrashes her arms around hitting herself in the face. I've been taking her for long walks in the pram which helps settle her.

At night, it's been taking me about 2 hours of cuddles to get her to sleep. Now the big question is, do I let her cry herself to sleep? Does that even work? I sometimes try to leave her, but it lasts about 5 mins and I give in and go back up. Advice pls? What have all you lovely mummies done with your little cherubs xx

Please don't leave her to cry! She is so so little and doesn't have the ability to regulate her emotions, leaving her to cry will just stress her out massively. Your baby needs your support as she has lots of changes going on at the moment. I really don't want to sound all preachy and annoying but it's true.

I don't have any answers I'm afraid, I know how hard it is, the four month regression hit my daughter hard (up every 40 mins through the night for 8 weeks!) so I completely sympathise. Just remember that this is a phase and it will pass!

Is she sleeping ok once she's down? If so I'd take that as a win as far as the four month regression goes!

Hopefully someone else will come along with some helpful tips for you :)

When I say is she sleeping ok when she's down, I meant at night after you've spent those two hours cuddling her...sounds like she's not sleeping too well during the day which is totally normal as well!

Yeah she sleeps fine once she is down. I don't mind the 2 hours of hugs but just don't know if I should do this or if I'm making it harder for myself later on. Also what do I do in the day to help her nap? How do I make her sleep in her cot rather than on me? Lol babies don't come with a user manual

Yes it would be so much easier if they did wouldn't it!!

If she sleeps well at night once she's down then honestly she's doing really really well. Do you have the Netflix app on your phone or anything? If so you could just watch a film on your phone to make that two hour cuddle a bit more entertaining ;)

During the day, have you tried having her sleep on you in a sling so you can get on with stuff while she's sleeping? Failing that, try making sure you have snacks etc. lined up for nap time and then just relax while she sleeps on you.

It's so hard when they don't want you to put them down. It does pass though!

As a side thought, I'm guessing you've already ruled out reflux and have tried the usual white noise etc.

Wishing you a peaceful night's sleep :) sounds like you're doing a great job!

I have tried a sling, she hated it! But I think you are right. I will get on with my crochet projects while she cuddles up. Enjoy the snuggles guilt free now someone else has told me it's ok to do so. So silly but I get the Mum guilt and think I should be making her sleep in her cot. I don't have Netflix but do have audible so will listen to a good book at night. Thanks for the reassurance xx

Lol just had a thought, great excuse to make everyone else do the housework and cooking. Oh I can't because My little baby has to sleep on me wonder how long I can get away with it haha

Oh gosh, I totally get the Mum guilt! I'm constantly questioning every choice I make. You can never give your baby enough love and cuddles though :) she will learn to sleep in her cot when she feels ready, just follow your instincts and take it at her pace.

For what it's worth, once she starts moving around you'll never get her to sit still long enough for a cuddle!

My daughter hated the sling too so
I was another mummy who spent hours on the settee while she napped! The house was a tip (it's not much better now )

x-post - HA yes I used exactly the same excuse hence the 'my house was a tip' comment! My excuse now is that I can't possibly take my eyes off her for a second in case she slips, therefore the housework must remain untouched