Babies’ Sleep Patterns

What are Babies’ sleep patterns?

In the first 3 months, babies’ brain is essentially immature, and their circadian cycle is not yet developed. That is: day and night feel the same. The process where the baby stays awake when there’s daylight and goes to sleep when it’s dark, is still evolving. Roughly at about 4 months, this process matures, and babies start adapting to the “normal” rhythm of the day. These months are particularly tiring for the parents, whose circadian cycle is being terribly disrupted.

Changes in babies’ sleep patterns

There are expected changes in the babies’ sleeping patterns over time. These changes are more frequent and dramatic in the first 18 months. Some parents report their twins slept beautifully during his first 4 months, and then “something” changed and they can no longer do that. It’s true, something did change. Their body is more capable; the brain is functioning on higher levels; melatonin (sleep hormone) production goes through a second burst; at 6 months, they start eating solid food, which affects the digestive system; they are teething; they understand and respond more to the environments; and several developmental changes which are expected at this dynamic age. All these will impact your twins’ sleeping times and quality. Moreover, their bond with you deepens as your twins develop a sense of self and begins to understand the concept of “me”. This makes it harder for them to separate from you and be left on their own (separation anxiety).

Physical development affects the babies’ sleep in numerous ways. Their bodies learn how to move, behave, and function. They are still mastering control over their bodies, and it takes time. A tired baby will sit up in their sleep, simply because their body has learned how to do that. When they learn to stand up, you can often find them standing in the cot crying, and you wonder to yourself, “Why are they standing up if they are so tired?!”. And when the brain develops further and dreams start coming in a more coherent form, your babies might wake up with nightmares, which also cut their sleep short.

The physical and cognitive changes your babies go through result in sleep regressions. During sleep regressions, it’s harder for your babies to “stick” to their good old sleeping habits, they wake more frequently, they require more settling or re-settling time, and they might accumulate sleep debt. The important thing to remember during these challenging times is, again, to be observant. If your babies is going through changes, you will need to adjust too. As long as you remain consistent with your routine and settling technique, your babies will go through these changes quickly, and return to their good sleeping habits.

If your twins struggle to sleep well, you can learn about twin sleep consultation in my “Parents' Guide to Twin Sleep Consultation”.

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