When Regression Isn't Really Regression

I've read so many mommy blogs talk about sleep regression and how it's normal at 4 months.  I was prepared, warned A about this, and kept hoping we'd avoid it.

I do want to remind you all that at his worst, James slept 6 hours at a time at night.  If that was going to be his new routine again, it wouldn't be too bad.  But I knew he wouldn't be hungry, he eats more than enough each day, and with the addition of solids he is a happy guy.

So, the day after he turned four months old, he awoke at 5 am.  I tried to just give him his pacifier, but after 20 minutes of fussing I was starting to cave.  I don't like him not being able to get comfortable, I admit to being a wuss on that, so I did the only thing that I could think of at that hour:

I took him back to bed with me.

We snuggled in, and he was out for 2 more hours before waking me up with giggles.

My son giggles when he wakes up.  No crying.  All giggles.

This happened for the next 3 nights.  And I was afraid it would be the norm.

Now, if you recall, my husband runs warm.  Summer is miserable for him.  And so far the baby has shown those same characteristics.

What's interesting in the Winter is that while he'll be warm all day, by morning my husband is ice cold and huddle under 2 blankets to stay warm and sleep comfortably.

All summer, James has slept most nights in a onesie.  As he grew and began to fit in footie pajamas, that became the new norm and there has been no need for blankets.

But last week, Fall began here.  The weather is changing, and his room, always warmer in the summer, is now colder than any other room.

So after 4 mornings of sharing the bed with the little monster, I realized he was beginning to doze as soon as I wrapped my blankets around him and snuggled him close.  That little light bulb went off and it suddenly dawned on me that his footie pajamas were no longer enough.

That night, he was laid in his crib, and a blanket placed over him to help keep in the heat.

And he slept 12 hours.  And has almost every night since.

So, for my son, sleep regression wasn't really sleep regression.  The temperature is changing, his ability to regulate his own temperature is changing, and he just needed the extra help.  We are back to full nights of sleep, though smaller naps during the day, and he is a happy clam.

I do admit to missing my morning giggle.  That smile with it's dimple is really the greatest thing to wake up to....