Just when you think you’ve finally nailed your baby’s sleep routine, out of nowhere they start waking up more frequently, refusing naps, or fighting bedtime. Welcome to the world of sleep regressions—a frustrating but totally normal part of your baby’s development. While it can feel like you’re back at square one, there are ways to navigate these tricky periods and help your little one (and yourself!) get back to better sleep.
What Are Sleep Regressions?
Sleep regressions are short-term disruptions in your baby’s usual sleep patterns. They typically occur around major developmental milestones, as your baby’s brain and body are working overtime to learn new skills. Common times for sleep regressions include:
- 4 months: Often related to a permanent change in sleep cycles.
- 8 to 10 months: Linked to crawling, standing, and other big physical milestones.
- 12 to 18 months: Associated with walking, talking, and transitioning to one nap.
- 2 years: Can be related to separation anxiety or an increased awareness of the world around them.
Sleep regressions can be challenging for both children and parents. Here are some common signs that your child might be going through a sleep regression:
- Increased Night Wakings: Your child may wake up more frequently during the night than usual.
- Difficulty Falling Asleep: They may take longer to fall asleep or resist bedtime more than before.
- Shorter Naps: Nap duration may decrease, and they may struggle to fall asleep for naps.
- Increased Fussiness or Irritability: Your child might seem more cranky or clingy during the day.
- Changes in Sleep Patterns: You might notice shifts in their typical sleep schedule or routine.
- Heightened Separation Anxiety: Increased attachment or anxiety when you leave the room can occur.
- Restlessness During Sleep: They may toss and turn more or have restless sleep.
- Developmental Milestones: Regression often coincides with developmental changes, like learning to walk or talk.
Though challenging, sleep regressions are a sign of your baby’s growth and progress. Understanding what’s happening is the first step to handling it without too much stress.
How to Handle Sleep Regressions
Here are a few tips to survive (and even thrive) during sleep regressions:
1. Stick to Your Routine
Your baby is going through a lot of changes during a sleep regression, which is why keeping their routine as consistent as possible is key. Stick to your regular nap and bedtime schedules, and maintain any calming activities like a bedtime story, bath, or lullaby. Consistency will help your baby know that sleep is still a priority, even during this bump in the road.
2. Don’t Start New Sleep Habits
It can be tempting to try new things when your baby is suddenly waking up more or having trouble settling, but introducing new sleep aids—like rocking, feeding to sleep, or bed-sharing—can backfire in the long run. If your baby has been falling asleep independently, try to maintain that habit, even if they wake up more during the night. The goal is to keep your baby’s sleep environment as familiar and consistent as possible.
3. Be Patient and Offer Comfort
Sleep regressions can be tough on both you and your baby, but remember that they’re temporary. Offering extra comfort during this time, like soothing words or a quick back rub, can help your baby feel secure. However, try not to create new dependencies that could stick around after the regression passes.
4. Make Sure Your Baby’s Getting Enough Daytime Sleep
During a regression, you might be dealing with shorter naps or difficulty settling for naps altogether. Overtiredness can make sleep regressions even worse, so do your best to ensure your baby is getting the right amount of sleep during the day. If naps are disrupted, consider offering a slightly earlier bedtime to prevent your baby from becoming overtired by the end of the day.
5. Give Your Baby Time to Practice New Skills
Many sleep regressions happen around developmental milestones, like learning to crawl, stand, or walk. These new skills can be so exciting for your baby that they try to practice them during nap time or at bedtime. Giving your baby plenty of time to practice these skills during the day can help reduce their urge to do so at night.
6. Consider Adjusting Wake Windows
During a regression, your baby’s wake windows may need a little adjustment. If they’re waking early or struggling to settle for naps, it could mean they’re ready for slightly longer or shorter periods of wakefulness. Keep an eye on how long your baby is awake between sleep periods and make small tweaks to see what works best.
When to Reach Out for Help
Most sleep regressions last about 2 to 6 weeks, but if your baby’s sleep isn’t improving or if the sleep challenges seem to persist well beyond that time frame, it might be time to seek professional help. Sleep regressions are tough, but they shouldn’t derail your baby’s sleep permanently.
As a certified pediatric sleep consultant, I work with families to guide them through sleep regressions and other common sleep challenges. I help parents create personalized plans to restore healthy sleep patterns and make sure their babies are well-rested—because we all know how precious sleep is!
If your family is struggling with a sleep regression, let’s chat! Together, we can get your baby back on track and sleeping peacefully again.
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