Sleep Regressions
Ah, sleep regressions. If you’re a parent, you’ve likely heard the term - or perhaps you are living through one right now (hello coffee, my old friend). Sleep regressions can feel like they sneak in just when you feel like you’ve finally gone your baby into a good rhythm. Suddenly you are back to nighttime wake-ups, skipped naps and a cranky little one. Sound a little bit too familiar? Don’t worry, I’m here to help you get through it and make it to the other side with your sanity intact!
A sleep regression is a temporary disruption in your baby’s sleep patterns. Babies and toddlers who were sleeping well might suddenly start waking frequently at night, fighting naps, or both. These changes are often tied to developmental milestones, growth spurts or shifts in sleep needs.
Okay, ready for the good news? Sleep regressions are normal. They’re actually a sign your little one is developing and growing. The most common times sleep regressions occur are 4 months, 8-10 months, 18-24 months and 3 years. These tend to be significant periods of times where your child often wants to be practicing the new skills they’ve been developing at all hours. The less good news? They can be challenging, but with some patience and a few strategies, you’ll both breeze through them. The best way to tackle a sleep regression? Have a plan!
Let’s take a closer look at each of those common sleep regressions:
4 Months: This is a big one, around this time your baby’s sleep cycle matures and they start to change from a 2 part sleep cycle to a 4 part sleep cycle, like the ones we experience. On top of all that, they may be starting to roll and often can get “stuck” while trying out these skills in their sleep space as they figure out how to move their bodies. Babies are also capable self soothe around this age, so putting them into their bassinet or crib asleep may not be working anymore for longer stretches of sleep (I’m looking at you false starts and cat naps!).
8-10 Months: As your baby becomes more mobile and exciting milestones happen like crawling or pulling to stand, they are going to want to use their sleep space as the perfect location to master these skills. However, even if they are tired they may choose to crawl around instead of sleeping for no reason.
18-24 Month: There is often a huge increase in language during this time.You may notice they start to refuse nap time or take longer to fall asleep at bedtime. Why? They are busy using their mouths to make different sounds, babbling, talking, singing and maybe even a little bit of crying.
3 Years: There is also a lot of change at this age. Your child may have moved to a short nap or stopped napping altogether. They may have transitioned from a crib to a toddler bed. Sometimes this transition may have been harder than expected. This can also be a time where different fears start to bubble up in their little minds at night (fear of the dark, etc.).
So what does having a plan of action to handle all of these regressions look like?
Have a Solid Bedtime Routine: Have a nightly bedtime routine that doesn't change night to night. Bedtime routine should be approximately 20-30 minutes.
Unexpected Wakes: If your child wakes unexpectedly, have a plan of action ready in place before it happens. Ask yourself things like: Did they have enough awake time? When did they feed last? How should I respond to them when they wake?
Be Consistent: Consistency is your best friend when it comes to making it to the other side of a sleep regression. Babies thrive on routine and by keeping routine and how we respond to them the same, they know exactly what to expect from us. The more consistent you are, they more consistent your baby will be.
Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help: Sleep regressions can be challenging, but they also shouldn't last for weeks upon weeks, You don’t have to go through it alone.
While sleep regressions can be rough and feel like they are taking over your life, remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Every parent goes through their little one experiencing weird phases of sleep. Sleep regressions should be short lived, but if you find you are stuck in a regression that has lasted longer than two weeks, it might be time to reach out for support. Discovery Calls with me are absolutely free and I”m confident I can help support you and your little one to the other side of this seemingly never ending sleep regression.
