If you're a parent, you've likely encountered what I call a "false start." This isn’t industry jargon; it's a term that describes a common sleep issue many families face. Picture this: you’ve lovingly settled your little one down for the night. They drift off, only to wake up again 20-30 minutes later. Frustrating, right? Let’s dive more into what false starts are and how to address them effectively.
What Are False Starts?
It's important to distinguish false starts from regular nighttime wake-ups. While both involve your baby waking after initially falling asleep, false starts occur shortly after bedtime, usually within the first half hour. In contrast, nighttime wake-ups happen after your baby has been asleep for at least an hour.
False starts often stem from different causes than nighttime interruptions, so recognizing the difference is key to finding the right solution.
Why Do False Starts Happen?
False starts can usually be traced back to a few common culprits:
1. Discomfort
If your baby is uncomfortable, they’re unlikely to sleep soundly. Factors like teething, gas, reflux, or being too hot or cold can all disrupt their sleep shortly after settling down. If discomfort seems to be the issue, consult your pediatrician for remedies.
2. Lack of Sleep Pressure
Sleep pressure is the body and brain’s need to fall asleep. It builds up when we’re awake, helping us feel sleepy at bedtime. For babies, this pressure accumulates quickly, but as they grow, it can take longer for them to feel sufficiently tired. If your little one is taking a long time to settle down at night and seems active instead of sleepy, they might need more awake time before bed. Adjusting their nap schedule or even dropping a nap may help increase that sleep pressure.
3. Overtiredness
Interestingly, overtiredness doesn’t manifest as just more intense tiredness. Instead, it can lead to a spike in cortisol, causing your baby to feel energized at bedtime. If you suspect this is the case, consider moving bedtime up by 20-30 minutes. It’s a delicate balance; too little awake time before bed can lead to false starts, but too much can leave your baby overtired and restless.
Finding the Right Solution
You might be wondering how to determine which issue is at play. It can be tricky since the symptoms can overlap. If you’re unsure, I recommend starting with trying an earlier bedtime. Overtiredness can create a cycle that’s hard to break, resulting in restless nights and short naps. An earlier bedtime can often disrupt that cycle and promote better sleep overall.
Still Struggling?
Hopefully one of these strategies will help your little one overcome those false starts. If the problem persists, though, it might be time to reach out for more personalized assistance. We can hop on a call to see if we are a good fit.
Here’s to sweet dreams for you and your little one!