7-month sleep regression: what is it? Is it bad and what should parents do to improve their child’s sleep patterns?

Almost all parents have experienced the phenomenon of 7-month sleep regression. Its essence lies in the fact that the child begins to appear sleep disturbances. However, a regression can happen in other periods of life. Everything will be discussed in more detail below.

7-month sleep regression

What is a 7-month sleep regression?

7-month sleep regression is accompanied by sleep disturbance. The main signs of sleep issues include:

  • reduction in the duration of daytime sleep, as well as the sleep cycle;
  • the child refuses to sleep at all, changing the baby’s sleep patterns;
  • difficulty falling asleep at night;
  • frequent awakenings at night;
  • increased fussiness;
  • change of appetite.

Regression happens due to the development of the child. However, not many parents will like the change in the sample sleep schedule that has been worked out so hard.

Causes of sleep regression at 7 months

This often happens when the growth spurt begins and the child needs more calories. During this period, there will be an increased appetite.

The child begins to sit on his own, and some children even crawl.

The kid begins to master the claw capture principle and independently collects food.

Some parents notice that their baby is teething. However, all this will require certain capabilities. Often, all activity occurs at night, which may not please parents. The aggravation of the situation lies in the fact that children become more active, and will constantly wake up.

How to deal with sleep regression at 7 months?

Several tips will help you deal with sleep regressions at 7 months of age.

Sleep requirements are constantly changing throughout life. This is very important because the brain develops during a baby’s sleep. Parents need to understand exactly how to make the right relaxing bedtime routine. First, the window for being awake should be about 2-3 hours per day.

Let your child take a nap. During the day, the baby must be falling asleep 2-3 times, each time the duration of sleep is 2-3 hours.

If you get up early, try putting the child to bed before half past six. If you wake up after 7 am, then the baby should be put to bed before 8 pm.

On average, a child needs to sleep about 12 hours a day. A small error is allowed. If you have any doubts about your child’s healthy sleep habits, you should make an appointment with a therapist. It is important to feed your baby at night.

On average, this should be done 1 time per night. However, this step can be skipped if the child does not wake up and does not ask for food.

The baby’s room should be warm, calm, and quiet. Don’t forget to turn off the lights. Be sure to hang blackout curtains on the windows. This will allow you to provide a comfortable daytime deep sleep in the summer.

In the morning it is necessary to wake the child at the same time. This will prevent disruption of the nap schedule and avoid confusion.

Even if the child behaved restlessly at night, one should not feel sorry for him in the morning. In the future, this will only bring benefits. This will help you form a healthy routine.

If you correctly allocate time for activity, preparation for the baby’s sleep, and daytime sleep habits, this will positively affect the child’s well-being.

If the baby hasn’t been awake enough and you decide to put him to bed, this can take a long time. After all, he wasn’t tired yet.

If you wait too long, the baby will get tired and become too overexcited. This will make it harder for you to calm him down.

On average, a 7-month-old baby needs to be awake for about 2.5 hours. After that, you may notice that he becomes drowsy.

This is accompanied by symptoms such as yawning and eye rubbing. The kid becomes fussy. If you notice these signs, it’s time to put your baby to bed.

If you haven’t made a correct and consistent routine yet, then it’s time to fix it. Thanks to this, it will be easier for you to calm the child and prepare him for sleep. When the regression begins, you can try to soften the regime of a baby sleep a little. However, this cannot be done quickly.

Following a regular and habitual ritual can prevent the child from developing unpleasant habits, and the regression will end faster.

You can first bathe the baby in a warm bath, then feed, and read a book with subdued lights. This will help the child fall asleep peacefully.

If the child does not go to bed on his own, you can put him to bed and let him fall asleep. As an additional assistant, white noise is suitable. This will prevent the child from waking up.

In children, there is no difference between good and bad sleep. It is important to understand that sooner or later, the baby will grow up. Therefore, you need to prepare him for falling asleep independently.

If your little one enjoys playing during the day, crawling around the house, and using up a lot of energy, don’t disturb him.

The more energy expended during the day, the higher the chance that the child will not wake up at night.

When a child reaches the age of 7, he begins a growth spurt. Therefore, it is not surprising that he will constantly feel hungry. Often, parents try to wean the baby from the breast during this period. Therefore, you can give him more healthy food as an alternative.

Some children will eat during the day and will not feel hungry until morning. However, some can wake up in the middle of the night and ask for food.

There is no right time to stop night feeding. It all depends on your child because all children are individuals.

If the baby wakes up and is looking for food, you should not deny him this. You can feed milk or formula to make up for the lack of calories.

Children can wake up for comfort. If you have not given up breastfeeding, you will have to feed your baby every night.

What to do with a 7-month-old baby?

At this age, children like to put things in boxes and take them back. Therefore, you can prepare some exciting games. Put different ribbons in a box for your baby to get and put back.

You can buy the first special blocks for development. They are multifunctional, so the baby will like them. Let your baby hone their crawling skills. To do this, put the toy in a place where it cannot be reached at arm’s length.

You can also take your child for a walk during the day, showing the beauties of the area. Let him contact grass, flowers, and birds. This will make him passionate.

How much sleep does a child need?

7-month-old babies should sleep 2-3 times a day. During the day, the duration of sleep should be 2-3 hours with an error of 30 minutes. If the baby sleeps less than 2 hours, you will need to consult a therapist.

The first two baby naps during the day should be at least 1 hour. And you should do it longer than 2 hours.

This will ensure that the baby can stay awake during the day. It is important to feed him enough during the day so that he can be falling asleep better at night.

When should a third nap be avoided?

It is often recommended to do this as soon as the baby reaches 7 months of age. Several signs may indicate this, namely:

  • it is difficult for the baby to fall asleep, although there were no such sleep problems before;
  • the third nap comes late, which spoils the quality of the night sleep;
  • early morning wakings.

It is important to understand that the transitions between sleep must be consistent. Do not rush things and try to achieve the desired result in a few days. It may take several weeks to establish the nap schedule.

Why do 7-month-old babies snooze?

If a child is constantly sleepy, this may be due to several reasons. First, you need to look at the sleep environment in which the baby is.

If everything is fine with the situation, however, the dream is short, then the problem may be something else. Therefore, it is better to consult a specialist.

Why do babies sleep poorly at 7 months?

You need to understand that problem sleep can occur for various reasons, including:

  • disease or teething;
  • naps or lots of naps during the day;
  • leap in development;
  • availability of wake-up windows.

Also, children do not sleep well due to the lack of basic skills that are required to fall asleep independently. Therefore, it is necessary to accustom the baby from childhood to a bedtime routine.

Is it possible to use sleep training methods for children of 7 months?

Yes, at this age sleep training is allowed. It is better to start sleep training at all when the child is 5 months old. The optimal time for sleep train should be selected based on the preferences of all family members.

Psychologists have made clear recommendations on how to accustom a child to a bedtime routine. Finding advice about sleep training is easy on the web.

Is it necessary to use a sleeping bag for a 7-month-old baby?

Almost all parents prefer to wrap their children in special bedroom bags. This is a bag that has no sleeves and is completed with a zipper.

It can be used as a blanket. Such products are completely safe and help maintain the correct body temperature of the child.

At the same time, they immediately give a signal to the children’s brains that it’s time to go to bed. There are different types of sleeping bags on the market, and you can find the best option for your baby.

Should I feed my 7-month-old baby at night?

Most children can sleep up to 12 hours a day without requiring food. However, if your child wakes up and asks for food, you can not refuse him this. There are tips on the net that help to gradually wean children from night feedings.

All practices are divided into phased approaches. Therefore, you can achieve a positive result.

How much solid food should a baby be given at 7 months?

As soon as you decide to transfer your baby to solid food, you first need to consult with a pediatrician. Babies get more calories from bottled formula or breast milk at this age.

Therefore, it is important to understand that solid foods should not be a substitute for milk.

If the baby began to sleep poorly after you switched him to solid food, you need to constantly monitor your daily calorie intake. This is the only way you can prevent waking up from nighttime sleep. However, you should not reduce your intake of solid foods to a minimum.

It is advisable to follow a few tips, including:

  • no need to follow a strict feeding schedule;
  • give your baby breast milk or formula every 2-3 hours. You need to focus on how quickly the child experiences a feeling of hunger;
  • you need to introduce solid food half an hour, an hour, or an hour and a half after the baby has eaten from a bottle, or you have fed him with a breast.

FAQ

When it comes to sleep regression at 7 months of age, there are many questions to ask. Most of them will be answered below.

How long does a 7 month sleep regression last?

On average, the process can take 2-3 weeks. Yes, you and your child will feel overwhelmed and tired all the time. However, you need to be patient, because in a few weeks everything will be back to normal. Remember that regression helps the baby learn new skills that will come in handy in the future.

Can sleep regression happen at 7 months?

Often, sleep regressions occur precisely at the age of 7 months. This is because children tend to skip sleep during the day. This can make it difficult to fall asleep.

Why is my 7 month old suddenly not sleeping?

Sleep regressions at the age of 7 months occur because the baby begins active development of the brain, as well as a growth spurt. Children acquire new skills that will be useful to them in life.

What does 7 month sleep regression look like?

If you are trying to understand whether a child has experienced sleep regression or not, you should pay attention to his behavior. Children will be fussy and will wake up more often at night. During the day, they begin to sleep less and prefer to nap in short intervals.

Results

As you can see, sleep regression in 7-month-old babies is quite common. Almost all parents face this, so there is no reason to panic. On average, you need to be patient for the next few weeks, after which everything will return to normal.

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