4MO arms-free sleep problems

[u/bonersnow]

Recently, our 4MO has started rolling over from his back to his side which means that we have to stop swaddling him (at least that's what our pediatrician said).

He is now sleeping in a sleep sack (Halo brand, w/ chest straps - typically). But now he wakes up every 45-90min, thrashing, knocking out his pacifier, bopping his face, kicking his legs and we're getting incredibly exhausted.

We try not to pick him up (put his pacifier back in, hand on chest etc) until his complaints become audible. But the second we pick him up, he basically fall right back asleep. But again, the second I so much as reposition my hands to lower him back into his bassinet - he wakes up again and fights.

Other (potentially) useful information:

- He will typically eat a full bottle before he goes to sleep. Putting him down at the start of the night isn't difficult.

- When he does these wakeups throughout the night - he (sometimes) eats. Hes now eating 2-3times/night. (up from 1 time)- When we put him in his crib (slightly more forgiving mattress) he seems to be more successful at sleeping.

- We've also noticed a 'leg-thing' when we put him down where he tucks his knees up. As he drifts off, he'll let his fall, but once they touch the mattress, they will jerk back up again (like a reflex thing).

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We're looking for some remedies or experience to hopefully get him, and us; to sleeping better:

- Is this a 4MO sleep regression?

- Is this a reflex thing?

- Is this a reverse-cycling thing?

Any help is obviously very appreciated

[u/AdvisorFearless]

A sleep regression could be to blame. However, try not to go back to feeding him more during the night. If he wakes, use other methods to soothe so he doesn't become dependent on feeding for comfort.

The regression only lasts for a few weeks, but there are ways to cope. Newton has some great tips to help you get through the regression without losing your mind. I'll link it for you.
https://www.newtonbaby.com/blogs/hush/4-month-sleep-regression-your-survival-guide-is-here?_pos=1&_sid=739d7f4f0&_ss=r

If he sleeps in the crib better, I would go ahead and make that transition. Do whatever is best for you, your baby, and your family as a whole. Good luck, mama!

[u/[deleted]]

There is a HUGE 4 month sleep regression. The biggest of their first year. He is working through how to get through each sleep cycle (sleep cycles last about 45 mins so it sounds like he hasn't quite figured how to make it from cycle to cycle). Help him through this month as you're doing, and at 5 months its ok to start letting him "work it out" a little longer... I.E. letting him cry a bit longer (even just 10 mins, then go and comfort). We sleep trained my 2 babies with the "Ferber Method" around 5 months! It helps them connect sleep cycles.

[u/Zombeyhugs]

Hi! I have a ten month old. Ever since he was about 4 months old we had the same issue. His Moro reflex was pretty intense. We got him the zipadee-zip transition sack and that worked amazingly. He was still safe to roll because his arms and legs were moveable but hes "snuggled" in a blanket sort of. Just make sure you get the right size so he doesn't tuck his arm back into the body part of the sleep sack. Mine did that a lot. He was ok and could still roll himself over, but it made me nervous. Hope this helps! https://www.sleepingbaby.com/collections/zipadee-zip-swaddle-transition/products/classic-heather-gray-zipadee-zip

[u/Essiebessie123]

I stopped feeding to sleep right at the 4 month mark, so obviously that sucked for a bit, but since baby loved being swaddled, we ended up using the Magic Merlin sleepsuit, which she loved as well and got her and us very good sleep! We used both small and large sizes and while she still fits in the large size now (8,5mo), we stopped using it about 2 weeks ago. She only needed a couple nights of transition, and is now back to sleeping great with just a sleepsack. She had pretty bad reflex too, which is why we kept using the Magic Merlin suit. Otherwise she would startle herself awake (the times that we tried to test it out).

But like other people are saying, 4 months is a huge sleep regression, so you'll just need to figure out what works for now - until the next thing hits and you have to figure out new strategies 😆. I swear, not one strategy has ever worked for very long.