Sleep regression is changes in a child's pattern of sleep to accommodate changes as they grow (physically) and reach important cognitive and developmental milestones. In theory this is great. In reality it means that we're in for some rough nights, especially when you add in teething, ACBBM (awakening caused by bowel movement) or the wild card of daycare related illness.* Other side effects for sleep transgression include poor napping and general crankiness and clinginess.
The other day as I left for a baby shower, thankfully during the hours when the minions nap - so I didn't have to bring them with me, Chris called out, "I won't blame you if you never come back!" It's hard to be a cheerleader for parenting when your team is getting their butts handed to them.**
The night time crying has gotten so bad that my super mom spider senses are failing me and I'm sleeping through baby crying, only awakening to Chris's nudge and instructions of "It's your turn", every other time someone is screaming.
Generally this type of issue goes away on its own within a few weeks, however we're about to hit daylight savings time in just over 2 weeks and this seems like the recipe for the perfect storm.
When I hit the Googles I found that sleep transgression can happen any time, but most commonly, month 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24....so basically it comes in threes.*** Which doesn't explain the 14 month transgression, but I'm holding onto it tight hoping to get to witness some toddler power-walking or Shakespearean sonnets spoken any day now.
What me cause trouble? I'm just hanging with my homeys." Miss Molly
The key difference between sleep transgression and bad baby habits is timing. Sleep transgression lasts from 1-3 weeks and can be caused by: teething, growth spurts, development and illness.
Here are some other suggestions:
Teething
Go and pour yourself some whiskey or red wine. Drink it.**** Give your screaming munchkin some baby pain reliever and a teething ring from the freezer. Insert ear plugs.
Growth Spurts
Stuff your baby senseless in the evening with heavy items such as meats, Greek yogurt and copious amounts of apple sauce. Be prepared for them to awaken you in the middle of the night with a load full. Change them, turn on sound machine.
Unfortunately the only real solutions I found on line were time, patience, and a little love and tenderness, so unless you have a time machine, you may be in for some rough evenings. Cheers!
*Molly still has this terrible old man cough, residual from her "slapped cheek" disease that I like to refer to as her kennel cough.
**Insert name of Toronto based sports team here.
***Like curses and wishes on that monkey paw you bought at that yard sale.
****I bet you thought I was going to tell you to rub it on their gums. Why are you going share your booze with them? They're the jerks who are keeping you up at night.
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