Developmental Milestones and Sleep
It can be so fun watching your little one learn a new skill, but it becomes less fun when developmental milestones start to affect sleep (and therefore your sleep). The reason that happens is because new skills are integrated during deep sleep so developmental milestones are prioritized over sleep for a short period of time.
In this blog about developmental milestones and sleep, we will discuss how milestones like rolling, crawling, standing and walking impacts sleep and how to handle it when it interrupts sleep!
Why do physical milestones interrupt sleep?
Babies do not have the same muscle paralysis as adults do that keep us from acting out our dreams. Therefore, when babies are dreaming about their new developmental milestone (like rolling, crawling and walking), they will practice that skill not only when they are awake but when they are asleep too!
As they practice their new physical milestone in their sleep, they will wake up in a new and different position! When they wake up, it is incredibly confusing and frustrating. They want to be sleeping! If it’s the first time they’ve done something new, they’re gong to be even more disoriented.
While babies are learning a new developmental skill, their brains are working extra hard to try and master this new skill which is leading them to prioritize learning this new skill over sleep.
Rolling and sleep:
Rolling is one of the first physical milestones that a baby will encounter. Rolling happens around 4 months of age. But it can happen sooner and on accident— this is why the head of the SIDS task force recommends removing the swaddle as early as 8 weeks of age because the risk of accidental and intentional rolling increases with age.
How to handle rolling when it interrupts sleep:
During the day, practice all day long on the floor. Also, practice in the crib with your baby while they are awake, teach them how to get in and out of that position! (add in their sleep sack because that can make rolling more challenging/frustrating).
When they are in the crib (sleeping) and they need your help, guide them out of the position instead of picking them up. This will help them learn what to do instead of “rescuing” them every time! That means you don’t do it all for them, you’re just facilitating the movement. That could look like simply moving their arm for them!
When they are in that position in the crib (sleeping), you can comfort them first before moving them. We want to try not to rescue them every single time, as it won’t allow them to learn how to be comfortable in that position.
Crawling and sleep:
Crawling and sitting typically happen around 8-10 months of age. Your baby becomes a lot more mobile at this age, meaning there is a lot going on in your baby’s brain! One study actually found out that crawling was one of the most disruptive milestones when it comes to sleep. This is usually the main cause of the 8 month sleep regression.
Give your baby plenty of floor time to practice these new skills during the day when they are awake.
Crawling is also an exhausting activity, so be careful your baby doesn’t become overtired from lack of sleep and exhaustion of practicing this new skill! So when appropriate, use an early bedtime!
When they do wake up sitting or on all fours, remember you don’t have to rush in. They value the practice they get in the crib during the night even though it’s less than fun for you. If you know they can get out of the position, don’t do it for them! Give comfort and reassurance without doing it all for them.
Walking and sleep:
At around 12 months of age your baby is learning how to stand and probably taking a few steps too! Heard of the 12 month regression? This is a common culprit.
Incorporate a lot of day time PLAY so they can practice their new skills.
While they are learning this new skill, try to avoid being in the car or stroller for too long of a time. This will cause them to store up their energy and be more inclined to want to practice their new skills during nap or bedtime!
Main takeaways about developmental milestones and sleep:
Babies are integrating their new skills in their sleep so they are actively thinking about those skills in their sleep! They are practicing the skills which wakes them up and frustrates them, fragmenting their sleep!
The more you intervene while they sleep, the longer it will take them to figure out what to do and then they will continue to practice this skill in their sleep.
So, lots of floor time and play time to help them master this skill while they are AWAKE. But remember, it is common for them to want to practice in their sleep, so encourage them to figure it out on their own by comforting them while they are in that position and guiding/teaching them how to get in and out. Less is definitely more when it comes to these sleep disruptions due to developmental milestones.
xo, Jenna
