How to Handle a Sleep Regression

 

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Things are going great. Nap schedules are pretty regular, your little is sleeping through the night (maybe with a feed, but it’s right back to sleep after). You’re sittin’ pretty until something changes. You’re not exactly sure what the catalyst is, but all of a sudden your perfect sleeper is suddenly waking up at all hours of the night or fighting you every nap time. If that’s the case, your little one might be right in the middle of a sleep regression. 

The signs of a sleep regression are different for each baby. Here are a few things to look out for:

  • Fussiness

  • More frequent night wakings

  • Less napping or more difficulty going down for a nap

  • Changes in appetite

To help you out, here’s everything you need to know about sleep regressions and what you can do to help everyone sleep well again. 


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What’s a sleep regression?

Sleep regression is a period of time – usually about two to four weeks – where your baby’s sleep patterns shift. If your baby was sleeping well, suddenly they’re having trouble settling down for sleep or waking up way more than they used to. 

The good news is that if your baby is experiencing sleep regression, it’s likely because they’ve hit an important milestone! (Yay!) There may be a number of reasons behind a sleep regression, including:

  • A growth spurt (which can make your baby extra hungry)

  • Learning a new skill (like standing, rolling, sitting or talking)

  • Disruptions to their normal routines (think visitors or a trip to the beach)

  • An illness (like an ear ache or cold)

  • Traveling

  • Teething

It might be a growth spurt, or your little becoming more aware of their environment, or they may be learning a new skill… your baby’s brain is constantly developing! This time of learning can be a bit stressful for you and kind of frustrating for your little one – and their sleep patterns might reflect that.


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When do sleep regressions happen?

A sleep regression can happen at any time, since it’s linked to so many unpredictable factors (like illness or travel). But there are a few ages when sleep regressions can normally be expected (when the factors are a little more predictable, like teething or learning to stand).

3 to 4 months: The dreaded 4-month sleep regression is often the hardest for parents to handle – simply because it's the first. There are several culprits behind baby sleep problems at this age:  sleep rhythms develop, visual acuity, growth spurts making them more hungry, and wanting to practice rolling are just a few.

6 months: Babies often go through another growth spurt at around 6 months old, hence, another sleep regression. This can be coupled with milestones like sitting and starting solids too.

8 to 10 months: Many babies begin crawling when they’re around 8 months old and begin standing at around 10 months. These are exciting new skills for your little one, and they love practicing – even in the middle of the night. Separation anxiety is also not uncommon (and perfectly normal) around this age, which may cause your baby to wake up looking for reassurance from you during the night.

12-14 months: A little after the one-year mark, some babies may start taking their first steps. The excitement of a new skill and reaching big milestones like this can, again, cause temporary sleep problems. Plus, we can’t forget the huge bursts in language - possible stringing two words together.

18 to 24 months: Toddlers often go through sleep regressions that may be caused by fear of the dark, separation anxiety (again,) and toddler teething.

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7 tips for getting through a sleep regression

Baby sleep regressions will usually only last about two to four weeks – just enough time for your little one to get used to a new routine, learn a new skill, or recover from an illness. But the exact duration depends on what’s going on, if there are back to back milestones occurring and can vary from baby to baby.

In the meantime, here are a few things you can do:.

Stick to your routines: If you’ve already spent time creating a consistent bedtime routine with your little, they’re still paying attention to those sleep cues. Think feeding, bath, bedtime story, bed.

Make sure baby is napping at an age-appropriate time: Sleep needs change as your baby grows. So making sure your baby’s naps are on track is super important to help with regressions in sleep. (You can always get my Ultimate Nap Transitions Guide that walks you through every age nap transition - newborn through no naps).:

Keep baby’s room dark, quiet, and cool: As babies grow, they become more and more aware of their environment, which is why a dark and quiet room is more and more important - and will help with melatonin production (our powerful sleep hormone). An optimal environment can 1) keep baby from waking up and 2) help them get back to sleep if they do. 

Make sure your little is getting enough sleep: I know this one can be a challenge in the middle of a sleep regression, but an overtired baby will always have a more difficult time getting to sleep. Think about a slightly earlier bedtime especially if naps are wonky lately!

Know your baby’s sleep cues: Pay attention to the signs that your little one is getting sleepy (rubbing their eyes, yawning), so you can get them to bed before they get overtired.

Give them time to practice during the day: If your little one is learning a new skill, make sure you give them plenty of time to practice during the day (so they don’t need the time at night or nap to get that practice in). 

Don’t rush in: I know it’s tempting to rush right in and put baby right back to sleep the moment they wake up, but if they’re not crying or in danger, just wait it out a few minutes. They may just want a little time to practice a new skill and may go back to sleep on their own.

Try out a new sleep training method: If you’ve already tried sleep training (and it worked, or even if it didn’t), you may need to switch things up when it comes to a sleep regression. Try a different sleep training method and see if that helps.

 
 
 
 

Sleep training can actually go a long way when you’re dealing with a sleep regression! If you haven’t tried it yet, or still haven’t found a method that works – we’re here to help! Download our free Guide to Sleep Training Methods!

 
Susie Menkes