The words “4-month sleep regression” can send shivers down any parent’s spine. You may have heard the stories — a baby who was sleeping well suddenly starts waking every hour, fighting naps, and leaving parents feeling like they’re back in the newborn phase.

But what if we told you that the 4-month sleep regression isn’t actually a regression at all? And what if you could avoid these sleep disruptions altogether, without resorting to cry-it-out methods?

At full feedings®, we believe that so-called “sleep regressions” are often misunderstood. What’s commonly labeled as a regression is actually a sign that your baby’s needs are changing — and they need more support with feeding and sleep during this time of development. Let’s break it down.

Why We Don’t Believe in Sleep Regressions

The idea of a sleep regression suggests that your baby’s sleep is suddenly “regressing” without reason. But in reality, babies don’t regress — they develop. The 4-month mark is when your baby’s sleep cycles mature, becoming more like adult sleep. This shift is normal and healthy.

However, what parents often experience as a “regression” is their baby’s sleep becoming disrupted because their feeding and sleep patterns aren’t supporting this new stage. If your baby is over tired, underfed, or struggling to adjust to longer wake windows, these changes can result in more night wakings and shorter naps.

What Causes Sleep Disruptions at 4 Months?

1. Over Tiredness: As wake windows begin to lengthen around this age, it’s easy for babies to become over tired, leading to increased cortisol levels (the stress hormone) that can make it harder to fall and stay asleep.
2. Hunger: Babies are growing rapidly around 4 months. If they aren’t getting full, quality feeds during the day, they may start waking more frequently at night to make up for missed calories.
3. Daytime Sleep Disruptions: Longer wake windows require an adjustment to your baby’s nap schedule. If naps are too short or too long, it can impact their overall sleep balance.

How to Support Your Baby Through the 4-Month Sleep Shift (Without Tears)

The Full Feedings Method® is designed to support babies through every stage of development, including this one. Here’s how we recommend helping your baby transition smoothly through this phase:

1. Prioritize Full Feeds: Ensure your baby is getting full, quality feeds every 2.5-3 hours during the day. This helps prevent hunger-driven night wakings.
2. Follow Age-Appropriate Wake Windows: Around 4 months, wake windows typically extend to 1.5-2 hours. Keeping your baby awake too long can lead to over tiredness; too short can result in under tiredness. Finding the sweet spot is key.
3. Cap Naps: Naps longer than 1.5 hours can reduce your baby’s sleep drive for later naps and bedtime. Balancing daytime sleep supports better nighttime rest.
4. Stick to a 7 PM Bedtime: An age-appropriate bedtime is crucial to align with your baby’s natural melatonin release.
5. Stay Flexible: While routines are helpful, we encourage flexibility. Babies aren’t robots — some days will look different, and that’s okay. The goal is to meet your baby’s needs fully.

Why full feedings® Works

Our approach isn’t about training your baby to sleep — it’s about meeting their needs so sleep comes naturally. By supporting feeding, wake windows, and age-appropriate sleep, parents often find their baby transitions smoothly through development stages like the 4-month shift, without the dreaded regression.

You don’t have to fear the 4-month sleep regression. By tuning into your baby’s needs and supporting their natural rhythms with full feedings®, you can navigate this stage with confidence— and without tears.

Here’s what the mamas are saying about the lack of sleep regressions using The Full Feedings Method®:

Ready to learn more? Explore our online sleep and feeding programs designed to help your baby thrive through every stage.

To sleeping well,
Ann & The Full Feedings Family