Developmental Leaps--They Are REAL! Tips For How To Best Navigate Through Them

Developmental Leaps: Your questions answered.
 
What does it look like?

• Increased wakefulness at night (sometimes happy and wakeful, sometimes fussy)
• Clingy and cranky
• Crying more than normal
• Increased need to be fed (due to a wish for comfort)
• Trouble napping or going to sleep
• Change in ease of routine

 
When do these occur:

Unless your baby was born premature, most babies go through these developmental leaps at the following times:
 5 -6 weeks
 8-9 weeks
 12 weeks
 19-20 weeks
 25-26 weeks (6 months)
 33-37 weeks
 43-47 weeks
 55 weeks (just after first birthday)
 
 
Why is this important to you as a parent:
      At the early developmental leaps, your baby is noticing patterns, images, sensations and forming crucial relationships. As they get older (19 weeks and older) their developmental leaps coincide with a movement milestone such as rolling, crawling, puling to standing and walking. As they integrate patterns and relationships, or as learn a new movement there is an marked increase in brain activity which can present to parents as clingy, fussy and unpredictable.
     
     While this can be frustrating and lead to less sleep for everyone, I assure you, your baby is doing exactly what she or he needs to be doing and it is a really good sign of important development. 
     During these periods, researchers and experts alike suggest various activities that can help with this stage in your child’s learning. The book Wonder Weeks or the App can offer some of these suggestions.
 
What not to do:

• During the periods when a developmental leap is occurring, it is generally not a great times to start sleep changes as your little one will need extra support and connection and will likely resist sleep changes.
• Do your best to offer more comfort, be patient and take deep breaths.
• Maintain as much consistency with bedtime as possible and comfort at night when your baby wakes.

 
     During this time they will be taking on so many new motor skills, increasing their perception, and integrating important information about the world around them…and it is a lot of work! 
     
    For more information on the Wonder Weeks, you can download their App, or buy the book or check out the following website:http://www.thewonderweeks.com
 
    These periods during the Wonder Weeks can be frustrating and unpredictable therefore as parents it is crucial that we do lots of self care and practice patience as our babies learn and navigate through their first year of life.

    One practice that I have found in my work with parents that is really essential is levity and laughter.
Please enjoy the following video on one of the joys of parenthood….uncontrollable baby laughter.
https://youtu.be/RP4abiHdQpc