From padsicles to poonamis, new parents quickly pick up a lexicon of scary things to anticipate—and one that looms large as the newborn phase comes to a close is the four-month sleep regression. You know, when the best sleepers spontaneously turn into night demons and ruin your life?
Dr. Daniel Golshevsky, who you probably know as sleep guru Dr Golly, isn’t sold. He says the so-called four-month sleep regression is one of the most dreaded myths of parenthood, and if we could just reframe how we think about it and handle it, parents (and their babes) would be much better off.
We caught up with the pediatrician dad to learn how he wants us to look at four-month-olds, why this age can be so tumultuous, and how to handle any disruptions that might pop up.
Dr Golly, let’s start with the big question—is the 4-month sleep regression real?
Dr Golly: Honestly? No. I know that might surprise some parents, but I’ll say it clearly: there is no such thing as a 4-month sleep regression. There is no guarantee that at 16 weeks, your baby will suddenly throw the schedule you’ve worked tirelessly to achieve straight out the window. What I see far too often is tired parents being told that they just have to suffer through it—and that really frustrates me.
But something does seem to change around that age, right?
Dr Golly: Absolutely. At four months, babies go through big developmental changes. Their sleep cycles start to look more like their grown-ups, with less deep sleep and more light sleep. They also go through a major growth spurt—both physically and cognitively—and that means they’re more alert and aware of the world around them.
What does this look like? Well, it could mean they suddenly hate sitting backwards in the stroller, or they quickly lose interest in feeds, or start playing with their hands or talking to themselves when they’re supposed to be sleeping.
So yes, your baby might start waking more, feeding less efficiently, or being more distracted—but that’s not a regression at all! It’s a brilliant progression.
That’s a refreshing take. But let’s be honest—losing out on sleep is no fun for anyone. So how can parents support their baby through these changes?
Dr Golly: First, by recognizing that this is all perfectly normal. It’s a beautiful stage—one of my favourites, actually. Babies are starting to babble, reach out, and interact more. But they’re also developing fast, and they need more energy to fuel that.
That’s why I often recommend introducing solids around this time, in consultation with your pediatrician. The extra calories can help stretch their sleep, and since it can take weeks for them to eat proper amounts of food, you might as well get going. And it’s not just about sleep—it’s also a great window for reducing allergy risks. International allergy guidelines recommend introducing allergens early and consistently.
What signs should parents look for to know their baby’s ready for solids?
Dr Golly: Look for increased head control, more drooling, better coordination, and interest in what you’re eating. They might even reach for your food! These are all signs that they’re gearing up developmentally.
But remember, solids should add to, not replace, milk feeds. Milk is still their main source of nutrition at this stage.
So if sleep suddenly changes around four months, parents shouldn’t panic?
Dr Golly: Exactly. Don’t see it as the wheels falling off—see it as a sign that your baby’s growing and thriving. With a few small adjustments and the right support, you can absolutely stay on track. You don’t have to endure weeks of chaos. You’ve got this.
Want more advice like this?
Dr Golly’s bestselling guide, Your Baby Doesn’t Come With a Book, is packed with smart, reassuring advice—and it’s yours free when you upgrade to Tinybeans+ (limited offer for US users). Plus, don’t snooze on his sleep program, with courses covering newborns, little babies, and big babies.