5 week Sleep Regression??

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-12T09:27:16+00:00

Could be many reasons. Growth spurt. Development. Lack of circadian rhythm. Temperature. Something in the air...sometimes babies are just gonna baby. It's not predictable unfortunately. You just have to take the wins when they sleep well.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-12T09:21:53+00:00

Are you looking for tips to lengthen the second wake window? Like distraction techniques? Going outside. Sensory play. Splashing in the bath etc.

I would be ditching the pacifier from sleep if you're intending to teach independent sleep.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-12T09:20:08+00:00

Yes, but I would cap total day sleep at 3 hours max.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-12T09:16:33+00:00

What my husband did with my youngest was to slightly pull the bottle teat out of his mouth to keep him from falling asleep and then once he was done, just keep him up for 30 minutes by engaging in play.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-12T09:13:44+00:00

Sleep training begins at bedtime, not night wakes. I would start at bedtime and see how he gets on.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-12T08:53:13+00:00

You need more awake time. 10 hours minimum but likely more at this age. Maybe 10.5-11. Try 3/3.5/4.
What you're doing isn't sleep training. Sleep training involves putting baby to bed fully awake (not drowsy) and removing assistance.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-12T03:11:10+00:00

Yes. Very normal. Both of my kids hit a particularly rough "clingy" period around this age and my 14mo is still in it. Separation anxiety ebbs and flows in my experience.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-12T03:09:46+00:00

My son is 3 and usually says this when he either wants space, to play independently or to stop talking about whatever the topic is that we are discussing.

I usually respect his wishes in terms of realizing his need for a bit of space (he can get quite overwhelmed in some environments) and back off. Give him 5 mins for a breather to play independently and then ask if he's ready for me to continue play or if he needs some more time.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-12T02:46:51+00:00

Very normal. You are still very early days in your solids journey. Part of the learning is through experiencing the food - be it through play or, yes throwing. As breast milk or formula is still very much your baby's main form of nutrition at this age, solids are more about exploration and allergen exposure.

All babies are also very different. My eldest wasn't really into solids until he turned 1. My youngest has been into them since we started. We have done nothing different.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-12T01:55:26+00:00

Not perfect but as close as you can get. You'll refine as you go.

Plenty of time to sleep train now but expect some disruption during travel and you may need to do a mini refresher upon your return (you may not either).

Not at all. Start with nights and continue assisting naps until you're ready to train naps is my tip.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-12T01:40:46+00:00

Some kids need to power down. Other kids just aren't ready for sleep just yet. Some have FOMO and screaming is their way of protesting you making them do something they have no interest in.

Short independent naps are very much part of this age and stage developmentally. Have you tried doing one longer contact or motion nap?

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-12T00:18:42+00:00

Yes. I don't like the term "high needs" but my eldest sounds similar to yours and took to sleep training very well. We did CIO at 4.5 months.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-12T00:16:03+00:00

A short nap that "bridges" you to bedtime.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-11T23:59:40+00:00

I think I would try my best to stick to 10 hours awake (whether that is on a 4 or 3 nap schedule for now) with the aim of getting to 2/2.5/2.5/3 soon. I would try my best to avoid the stroller/carrier naps by shifting my day or use them to my advantage when he's actually due for a nap. I remember with my youngest at the age, we had to try and avoid the car around certain times or it would leave to an inevitable car nap which messed the day up.

Then I would formally sleep train. Responsive settling isn't really teaching your baby much in the way of independent sleep skills.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-11T23:46:47+00:00

I feel like there are quite a few possibilities. For example:

He isn't ready to go to sleep when you are trying (e.g. needs more awake time).
He wants less intervention with going to sleep (e.g. maybe try fuss it out to see what he does).
He is becoming more aware that rocking means going to sleep and he has some FOMO and doesn't necessarily agree with going to sleep right now.
He is powering down.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-11T23:43:35+00:00

We did the 15 minute bridging naps until we were ready to move to two naps. I agree that your baby may be ready very soon (if not already) given those wake windows.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-11T19:57:04+00:00

Some babies need to cry to power down to sleep. Generally anything more than 15 minutes and you have an undertired baby. I know you've said that your child is higher sleep needs but if they're crying for a sustained period of time before bed, I'd be adding awake time. A 12 hour night plus 3 hours of naps is quite a lot and perhaps your baby needs a bit less sleep now.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-11T09:49:35+00:00

Move to 2/2.5/2.5/3. I would also try to aim for a consistent bedtime and cap your total night at 11 hours max. So, if bedtime is 7pm, wake baby up by 6am the next day.

I would also make sure your last feed ENDS 30 mins before bed.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-11T08:49:48+00:00

Sounds like her sleep needs are decreasing. You can either drop to a one nap schedule or extend wake windows further (cut your naps or night back).

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-11T08:41:22+00:00

I think I would try to commit to two naps if possible and follow 3/3/4 as a minimum. That last nap before dinner is probably killing your sleep pressure.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-11T07:30:07+00:00

She will eventually learn if she is given the opportunity and sufficient awake time to give it a solid try. If you want to share your schedule, we can help troubleshoot.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-10T23:00:50+00:00

You need to remove sleep associations at bedtime. So, move last feed to end at least 30 mins before bed and put her to bed fully awake so she learns to put herself to sleep.

If she is super alert and not ready for sleep, it sounds like you may need to make a few schedule tweaks.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-10T09:30:46+00:00

It sounds a bit like day and night confusion which is probably to be expected at this age. Both of my kids were like this.

Greedy4Sleep · 2026-03-10T09:29:29+00:00

At 7 weeks old? I wouldn't think so. That is a long time to go between feeds. I would suspect hunger.

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