Like many first-time moms, I thought I was fully prepared—after all the books, videos, and advice, I felt confident going into motherhood. But nothing quite prepared me for the reality of sleep regressions, growth spurts, and just how unpredictable baby sleep could be.

When my firstborn hit the 4-to-6-month sleep regression, everything changed. He was sleeping in a crib right next to my bed, and my husband and I were taking turns holding in his pacifier for hours. Every time it fell out, he’d start screaming. We tried offering milk, thinking he must be hungry—but he wasn’t. Rocking didn’t help either. He was overtired and couldn’t settle. We were exhausted, confused, and desperate for answers.