My baby isn’t sleeping very well. It feels like I can’t even walk out of the room without him getting upset, and he wants to breastfeed all the time. Is something wrong?
Sleep regression, separation anxiety, and the need to be close to mom (by breastfeeding more) all tend to appear around the 9-month mark. It’s important to note that baby’s behaviors are not a sign of a breastfeeding problem. They are due to developmental growth and actually are signs that you have a normal, healthy baby!
Sleep Regression
Your baby may have been sleeping well, for long stretches overnight, only to start waking more often. They may also be taking fewer naps during the day. Nine-month-old babies are going through an exciting time physically, learning new skills (sitting up, standing, crawling, scooting around). This can lead to more restlessness since they want to practice them at all hours of the day/night.
Signs of sleep regression:
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- Waking frequently at night
- Having difficulty falling asleep
- Being extra fussy, clingy or grumpy
- Crying more
- Refusing to nap or taking shorter naps
Although extremely tiring, these periods of sleep regression are temporary, lasting about 2-6 weeks. If you’re troubled by your baby’s sleeping patterns or they last longer than 6 weeks, call your doctor for guidance.
Separation Anxiety
This is another normal, healthy developmental milestone. Your baby loves you and wants to be near you. At 9 months, he has started to understand object permanence; that something still exists even if you can’t see it. When baby doesn’t see you, and realizes you do still exist, he misses you. It’s impossible for your baby to be “too attached” to you at this age. It’s normal for him to need you. Unfortunately, bad advice is often given to moms at this stage: “You should stop breastfeeding, so your baby won’t be so attached to you.” Abruptly weaning baby, especially now, can cause stress. Stopping breastfeeding won’t take away his need for you. Babies need either breast milk and/or formula through 12 months of age.
Growth
Another growth spurt can occur around 9 months. This helps explain why baby wants to suddenly breastfeed more often. His need for extra calories will last for a few days, and then he will go back to his normal feeding routine.
Your breast milk is providing customized nutrition, comfort and amazing health benefits for your baby. Keep up the hard work!
SOURCE:
https://www.choc.org/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-9-month-sleep-regression/
https://www.chop.edu/news/health-tip/separation-anxiety-whats-normal-and-when-worry