Sleep regressions are a normal part of child development, but they are a tough reality to accept! Just when you think you've mastered the art of getting your little one to sleep, suddenly out of nowhere sleep regressions come knocking at your door. If you're a parent, you've likely experienced these frustrating periods when your baby (or even your toddler or older child!) who once slept peacefully through the night, suddenly starts waking up more frequently, fighting bedtime, or experiencing disrupted naps. But fear not! These are all normal parts of baby sleep, and in this blog post we will delve into the world of baby sleep regressions, understanding what they are, why they happen, and most importantly, how to navigate them with grace and patience.
What Are Baby Sleep Regressions?
Baby sleep regressions are periods when a baby who previously slept well experiences a temporary setback in their sleep patterns. These regressions often manifest as increased night waking, difficulty settling to sleep, shorter naps, or overall fussiness around sleep times. They can occur at various stages of infancy and early childhood, typically around significant developmental milestones.
Common Sleep Regression Milestones:
4-Month Sleep Regression: One of the most notorious sleep regressions, this typically occurs around 3.5 to 4.5 months of age when babies experience significant developmental changes as their sleep cycles mature to become more adult-like. They are more likely to startle themselves awake during light sleep stages and struggle to connect sleep cycles than they were in the newborn period.
8 Month Sleep Regression: Between 7 and 9 months, as babies become more mobile and cognitively aware, they may experience disruptions in their sleep patterns. Increased separation anxiety, teething discomfort, or newfound skills like crawling or pulling up can contribute to this regression. As a matter of fact, research shows that crawling is the single most disruptive developmental milestone to sleep.
12-Month Sleep Regression: This regression often coincides with the first birthday and may involve disruptions due to physical and cognitive developments such as walking, talking, or transitioning to one nap. At this phase many babies are still needing two naps, but nearing the one nap transition and it can be especially difficult to figure out a sleep schedule that works for them.
18-Month Sleep Regression: Toddlers around 18 months old may experience sleep disruptions as they undergo language development spurts, increased independence and autonomy, and boundary-pushing. This is also a really common time for a peak in tantrums and separation anxiety.
2-Year Sleep Regression: Commonly associated with the "terrible twos," this regression may occur due to growing independence, crib-to-bed transition (and the independence in the room that comes with it!) potty training, or the emergence of nightmares or fears.
Why Do Baby Sleep Regressions Happen?
Understanding the underlying reasons for sleep regressions can help parents navigate them more effectively. While every baby is unique, some common factors contributing to sleep regressions include:
Developmental Milestones: Rapid physical, cognitive, and emotional developments can disrupt sleep patterns as babies' brains and bodies adjust to new skills and experiences.
Teething Discomfort: The pain and discomfort associated with teething can lead to increased night waking and fussiness, particularly during the first two years of life.
Separation Anxiety: As babies develop stronger attachments to caregivers, they may experience anxiety when separated, leading to difficulties with sleep transitions and nighttime awakenings.
Environmental Changes: Changes in routine, travel, illness, or environmental factors like temperature or noise can disrupt sleep patterns and contribute to regressions.
Sleep Associations: Babies may develop associations between falling asleep and specific conditions or objects (such as nursing, rocking, or pacifiers), leading to difficulties self-soothing during sleep transitions.
While sleep regressions can be challenging, there are strategies parents can employ to help both themselves and their little ones navigate these temporary setbacks:
Maintain Consistency: Stick to a consistent bedtime routine and sleep schedule as much as possible to provide predictability and comfort for your baby. Try not to create any habits that you don’t want to maintain long-term during a difficult bout of sleep.Â
Offer Comfort and Reassurance: You can respond to your baby's cues during regressions, offering comfort, reassurance, and extra cuddles to help them feel secure. This does not mean to go backwards on all of your independent sleep skills, routines or habits (unless you want to long-term) but you can offer extra reassurance while still keeping the framework of your typical routines.
Use Sleep Training if You Get Off Track: If you’ve never sleep trained before, now might be a good time! Introduce sleep training techniques that encourage self-settling and independence while still responding sensitively to your baby's cues and needs. If you’ve already sleep trained but your child gets off-track with sleep, go back to the beginning and make sure that independent sleep foundation is there to help them get back on track after a regression.
Create a Sleep-Conducive Environment: Ensure your baby's sleep environment is dark, quiet, and comfortable, minimizing disruptions that could interfere with sleep. If age-appropriate, loveys, sleep sacks and other comfort items can be helpful here.
Adjust Nap and Bedtime Routines: If the regression seems to be lasting for a long time, consider that your baby might actually need a change in schedule, which usually involves adding awake time during the day, or dropping a nap.
Baby sleep regressions are a natural and temporary part of infant and toddler development, signaling important milestones and changes in your little one's growth journey. While they can be challenging for both parents and babies, understanding the reasons behind regressions and employing coping strategies can help alleviate stress and promote better sleep for the whole family. Remember, this too shall pass, and with patience, love, and consistency, you and your baby will emerge from sleep regressions with their good sleep back on track.