Drowsy but Awake

We often hear, “They’re still awake when we place them down in the crib; they’re not asleep.” Our question is: Are they drowsy? Typically, parents respond affirmatively.

Assisting your baby in becoming drowsy can be beneficial during the newborn stage, as they tend to fall into a deeper sleep and remain asleep. However, around 3-4 months of age, we recommend fostering independent sleep skills and avoiding drowsiness at bedtime.

To put it simply, as a parent, you engage in activities (such as rocking, nursing, patting, bottle-feeding, etc.) to induce drowsiness in your baby. Consequently, your child learns to rely on your help and support to reach this state of drowsiness through certain sleep associations.

In the newborn phase (before your child reaches 4 months), it’s essential to aid your newborn in becoming drowsy and gently guide them to sleep in their crib. Newborns rely on your active assistance due to their underdeveloped self-soothing abilities. Once your child surpasses 4 months, they can begin to develop more independent sleep skills, thanks to their advanced self-soothing capabilities.

Transitioning from Drowsy but Awake to Independent Sleep

This is a critical concept to grasp! At 3-4 months, your baby’s sleep patterns undergo a significant change, often aligning with the well-known 4-month sleep regression. This stage signifies swift progress in brain development, influencing all facets of their sleep.

The method of putting them to sleep becomes a key element in how they manage sleep cycles. The shift from being drowsy but awake to achieving independent sleep is vital for your baby’s ability to sleep through the night and enjoy longer naps.

As their brain matures, they start to depend on external cues to return to the drowsy state after each sleep cycle. Whether it’s through feeding, rocking, or holding until drowsy, their brain begins to anticipate these parent-led sleep associations.

Establishing a New Routine for Independent Sleep

To ease this transition, it’s imperative to create a new bedtime routine that encourages independent sleep. This process requires time, practice, and consistency for your baby to adapt.

Tips:

• Schedule your baby’s feeding before their bedtime routine.

• Avoid dimming the lights while feeding your baby.

• Provide some low-key stimulation after your baby’s feed.

• Refrain from rocking your baby immediately before placing them in their crib.

• Instead, offer some one-on-one cuddle time.

My self-led sleep training course outlines all the essential steps to achieve independent sleep with minimal crying and in no time!