Do you feel like we were in a nice and consistent sleep pattern and then we get hit by a sleep Mack Truck, also known as a sleep regression! When a sleep regression hits, it can leave us feeling overwhelmed, lost and uncertain. We will chat through the common sleep regression and shed light on the most common sleep regressions, what sleep looks like during these periods of time, why it happens and practical strategies to help your baby—and your family—get back on track.
What is a Sleep Regression?
A sleep regression is a period when a baby who has been consistently sleeping at night suddenly starts waking frequently at night, taking short naps and/or resisting sleep altogether. These regressions are usually temporary, lasting from a few days to a few weeks (it feels sometimes longer!), and are often linked to developmental milestones. While sleep regressions can be challenging, understanding their causes and having strategies in place can make them more manageable.
We will cover:
1) The most common sleep regressions
2) What sleep looks like during the regression
3) Why it happens
4) How to work through it.
Let’s get started!
The Most Common Sleep Regressions
The most common sleep regression and disturbances that happen in our baby’s life occur most often at the:
· 4 Month Sleep Regression
· 8-10 Month Sleep Regression
· 2 Month Sleep Regression
· 18 Month Sleep Regression
· 2 Year Sleep Regression
These are the specific times in a child’s journey that sleep will be disrupted, and children may sometimes fall earlier on the range or on the later side.
The 4-Month Sleep Regression
What Sleep Looks Like
At around four months, your baby's sleep patterns change significantly. This is the age when babies transition from newborn sleep cycles to more adult-like sleep cycles, involving lighter sleep stages. This regression can appear as early as 3 months to as late as 5 months. During this sleep development, you might notice your baby waking up more frequently at night and/or having shorter naps during the day.
Why It Happens
The 4-month sleep regression is primarily driven by developmental changes. Your baby is becoming more aware of their surroundings and may start rolling over, babbling, or showing other new skills. Their sleep cycles are also maturing, which can lead to more frequent waking. As newborns they were sleeping in 2 stages of sleep (REM and NREM) and then shift to adult like sleep patterns where we move through all 4 stages of sleep (REM, NREM1, NREM2, and NREM3).
How to Work Through It
Consistent Bedtime Routine: Establish a soothing and consistent bedtime routine to signal to your baby that it's time to sleep. An example of a simple yet effective routine is bath, change diaper, pajamas, sleep sack, bottle, books and bed.
Practice the Pause: If in active sleep, watch on the monitor. If they are truly awake and either not upset or fussing slightly, practice “The Pause” to see if they will put themselves back to sleep. If they start escalating and getting upset, then intervene and respond to help guide them to sleep.
Adjust Wake Windows (if needed): If your baby is taking shorter naps, consider adjusting their wake windows especially if they don’t seem tired and ready for sleep as we get closer to the end of the wake window.
Stay Patient: Remember that this regression is temporary. Stay consistent with your sleep routines, try not to add steps to the sleep routine that are not sustainable and your baby will gradually adjust as we guide them through the development.
The 8-10 Month Sleep Regression
What Sleep Looks Like
During the 8-10 month sleep regression, your baby may start waking more frequently at night, taking shorter naps, night wakings or resisting sleep. This period often coincides with significant developmental milestones such as crawling, pulling up, and possibly even standing.
Why It Happens
This regression is driven by both physical and cognitive developments. Your baby's brain is processing a lot of new information and skills (throw in a tooth or two), which can disrupt their sleep. Additionally, separation anxiety may start to emerge around this age, making it harder for them to settle.
How to Work Through It
Practice New Skills During the Day: Provide plenty of opportunities for your baby to practice their new skills, such as crawling and pulling up, during the day. This can help reduce their need to practice during sleep times. In addition, do one practice session of the new motor skill in the crib (when they are not tired, feed, happy) so that they can practice this skill in their crib.
Consistent Routines: It is easy to veer a bit from the routines of the past since we are seeing changes on the sleep side. Typically, when we add more to the mix, it can make the routine harder and may reinforce possible separation anxiety that starts surfacing at this age.
Separation Anxiety: Dedicating 10 minutes a day with child led play with your baby during the day can help alleviate and help with separation anxiety.
Adjust Daytime Schedule: If your baby's naps are shorter, review their wake windows to see if we need to stretch a wake window or drop a nap. If your baby is on 3 naps at this age but bedtime and naps are becoming more difficult or bedtime is getting way too late the 3rd nap is most likely the cause and would consider dropping to 2 naps.
The 12-Month Sleep Regression
What Sleep Looks Like
The 12-month sleep regression can involve night waking, shorter or skipped naps, and resistance to sleep onset. This period often coincides with major milestones such as walking, getting new teeth and an increase in verbal skills.
Why It Happens
Around 12 months, your baby becomes more independent and curious about the world. This cognitive and physical growth can make it harder for them to settle down and stay asleep. Thow in the motor development of walking and it can be a bit chaotic on the sleep front!
How to Work Through It
Maintain a Predictable Routine: Stick to your nap and bedtime sleep routines to provide a sense of security and predictability. Ensure we don’t add steps to the routine that are not sustainable for your family.
Sleep Conducive Environment: Ensure the sleep environment is conducive to rest. Keep the room dark (like a cave), cool, and quiet.
Be Mindful of Transitions: This regression can look and smell like the two to one nap transition.but it is typically related to all the cognitive and motor developments going on at 12 months. As a side note, the majority of babies make the transition to one nap between 14 to 15 months.
Stay Calm and Consistent: Your baby will pick up on your cues, how we are feeling going into sleep routine so regulate yourself prior to bedtime routine and during them to help keep baby calm as well.
The 18-Month Sleep Regression
What Sleep Looks Like
The 18-month sleep regression can be particularly challenging as it often coincides with another round of separation anxiety, verbal development and increased independence. Your toddler may start resisting bedtime, waking up at night, or having difficulty napping.
Why It Happens
This regression is linked to developmental leaps in language, mobility, and social awareness. Your toddler is learning to assert their independence, which can lead to resistance at bedtime.
How to Work Through It
Set Clear Boundaries: Establish and maintain the clear and warm boundaries around sleep times. Your baby has every right to have big feelings about this and we have every right to maintain those warm boundaries. In addition, the consistency and repetition of our routine are key to helping your toddler understand what to expect from a sleep perspective.
Offer Choices: Give your toddler independence and control by offering limited choices, such as which pajamas to wear or which book to read. This can help them feel more in control and reduce resistance.
Address Separation Anxiety: Maintain 10 minutes a day child led play time with your toddler during the day to help alleviate separation anxiety. Use a consistent and calming bedtime routine to ease the transition to sleep.
Be Patient and Firm: Stay patient and firm in your approach. This regression will pass, and your consistency will help your toddler develop healthy sleep habits.
The 2-Year Sleep Regression
What Sleep Looks Like
The 2-year sleep regression can involve night waking, nap refusal, and bedtime resistance. This period often coincides with more cognitive development, more understanding of how they can affect patterns and the world around them and continuing of expanded language skills.
Why It Happens
At two years old, your toddler becomes more aware of their choices, making decisions and becoming more independent. They may be testing boundaries and experiencing a surge in language development, which can disrupt sleep.
How to Work Through It
Stick to a Routine: Continue to follow that tried and ture consistent bedtime routine to provide structure and predictability of what comes on the sleep side.
Address Fears: Your toddler may start to experience fears at this age. Offer reassurance that they are safe, and Mom/Dad are close by. A nice add when fears start surfacing is to add in a night light (red or orange are best!) and to let them know they are always safe.
Set Clear Expectations: Be clear and consistent about sleep routine/rules and expectations. Use positive reinforcement to encourage sleep behavior.
Be Flexible but Firm: While it's important to be firm in your approach, also be flexible and understanding of your toddler's needs. Adjust the schedule if necessary to ensure they're getting enough sleep.
General Tips for Managing Sleep Regressions
Prioritize Sleep: Make sleep a priority for your baby and the entire family. Ensure your baby is getting the recommended amount of sleep for their age.
Monitor Sleep Environment: Keep the sleep environment consistent, dark as possible, comfortable, and free of distractions.
Use a Sound Machine: White, brown and pink noise can help mask household noises, cue sleep and create a soothing environment for sleep.
Stay Consistent: Consistency is key during sleep regressions. Stick to your routines and avoid introducing new and unsustainable sleep habits that you don't want to maintain long-term.
Take Care of Yourself: Sleep regressions can be exhausting for parents. Make sure you're taking care of your own sleep needs and seeking support when needed. Reach out to family and friends if we need a break (even if it is to run errands solo!). It can calm the senses and regulate ourselves to come back refreshed.
Sleep regressions are a normal part of your baby's development and can be challenging to navigate. By understanding the common regressions, recognizing the signs, and maintaining consistent sleep routines, you can help your baby—and your family—get through these periods with greater ease.
Remember, each baby is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Stay patient, stay consistent, and reach out for support if needed. If you are feeling stuck in a sleep regression, let's schedule a complimentary Discovery Call so that you can ask any questions on the process and so that I can get more information on what is happening sleep wise.
Sleep well!
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