Sleep regression, or progressions, are a common and frequently occurring sleep challenge your family may face during the first few years of your baby’s life. And while they are frustrating to deal with, it’s actually an awesome signal of cognitive and physical development for your child and rest assured, they don’t last forever and sleep can get back on track. Let’s dive a bit deeper into sleep regressions and support your family’s sleep journey.
What you’ll learn from this blog:
- What is a sleep regression and skill progression
- Do all babies have sleep regressions
- When do sleep regressions happen
- Is it normal if my baby doesn’t have a sleep regression
- Signs of a sleep regression
- How long does a sleep regression last
- How to handle a sleep regression
- Next steps
What is sleep regression/skill progression?
A sleep regression is a period of time when a baby who has been sleeping well suddenly has significant changes to their sleep patterns. This may include beginning to wake up more frequently at night, having difficulty with naps and/or having difficulty falling asleep at bedtime. Some families have also reported earlier morning wakes and general daytime grumpiness during these phases. So if your baby has been sleeping well and you notice a sudden drastic change, it’s likely a regression.
Sleep regressions often coincide with skill(s) development related to developmental milestones, keep reading if you’re wondering when these phases may occur.
Do all babies have all sleep regressions?
No! Not every baby will experience sleep regression(s), a baby may experience some regressions and not others and each baby may present differently during a sleep regression. Baby sleep is unique and complex – much like a fingerprint – so while they are common, not every baby experiences them and/or with the same intensity. Baby sleep is complicated as a result of many factors, one being the mystery of sleep regressions.
When do sleep regressions happen?
Sleep regressions and the coinciding milestone progression occur in an age-range since every child develops differently and has unique developmental and sleep needs. These hiccups occur because your child is on the cusp of learning a new skill (and seeking extra practice time to organize these skills, which they will prioritize over sleep) or has recently learned a skill and wants to practice it to perfection (e.g., learned a new word and now wants to say it 50x in a night).
The most common sleep regression phases are 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months. This chart may be helpful to monitor the regression range and some skills associated with each one.
Other factors that may contribute to a sleep regression include:
- Teething
- Sickness
- Travel
- Room sharing experience
- Daycare transitions
- Moving
Is it normal if my baby doesn’t have a sleep regression?
Yes! Every child is unique and there’s a wide range of normal when it comes to baby sleep. If your child is developing well and is healthy, some babies won’t ever experience a large sleep disruption related to skill progression. This is ok! If you have concerns related to your child’s development and sleep, consult with your child’s primary care provider for guidance on next steps.
Signs of a sleep regression
Because your child is unique, their signs of a sleep regression can be unique also. A good takeaway for a sleep regression is that it is a sudden onset and a significantly different pattern than previously displayed. Some babies only display daytime sleep struggles, some display only nighttime sleep struggles and some display both.
And just to make things even more complicated for you, not every sleep regression will look the same as a previous one, too!
How long does a sleep regression last?
Generally, sleep regressions can last for a few days up to a few weeks. Depending on the reason for the regression, the timing will fluctuate. For example, for a baby learning to roll, their regression may be a few weeks until they get more confident with the skill. For a baby with a new favourite word, they may test it out for a night or two and then get back to their strong foundation. If it feels like you’re just in a never ending sleep regression cycle, there are more factors to consider to get your sleep journey heading in the right direction. Check this blog for more reasons why your baby may be waking in the night.
As previously mentioned, some families don’t even notice a sleep regression because they have a solid sleep foundation established and their baby may not be practicing their skills at night.
How to handle sleep regression?
Ok, it’s become obvious that your baby has hit a sleep regression, now what? Here are a few tips to guide your family through it:
1.Stick to your regular routines and consistent sleep expectations.
Consistency provides your child predictability and this can be comforting to them when things feel busy and maybe chaotic for them. Their regular bedtime and nap routine will continue to signal to them that it’s time for sleep.
2. Practice the skill.
If possible, practice as much as possible during the day to support your baby’s skill development. More practice = more progress.
3. Try your best not to introduce a sleep association that you can’t maintain long-term.
Easier said than done, I know! But if we begin to blur the approach, your baby may become confused on their expectations and unclear of what is expected of them, often resulting in additional wake-ups once the regression has truly passed. Keep the support simple and honouring what they truly need and keep it realistic for the stage that you’re in and able to continue with.
4. Remain calm.
If your baby has a few nights of random wakes or sleep challenges, no need to panic. There’s no need to tweak a schedule for just a few days of challenges. What I generally suggest is doing nothing until we see a pattern develop over a period of time to help guide our decision making for the best strategy to use. Being calm also means self-regulating before and during support for our children so we are able to co-regulate with them. Again, easier said than done especially if it’s 4am and we just want to get back to sleep. Our children mirror our emotions, energy and behaviour. You are the calm confident leader through these challenges so take a deep breath and remember you can do this!
5. Tap into your support system.
Ask for help with a meal. See if someone can take the baby for a daytime walk so you can rest. Develop an action plan with your partner to ensure everyone is getting the most rest during these challenging phases. This phase is temporary and it’s not easy sometimes.
Next steps with a sleep regression
Sleep regressions are normal (and tiring).Your child is going through many periods of rapid neurodevelopmental progress that can temporarily impact their sleep. Using a loving, patient and consistent approach, your baby will get back to their normal sleep pattern. If it feels like you’ve been in a sleep regression for many months and this is no longer a sustainable sleep pattern for you and your family, consider booking a discovery call with me to discuss your sleep goals and how we can work together to improve everyone’s sleep using gentle, effective, evidence-based strategies.
Wishing you a calm and quick next sleep regression,
Chelsea
Chelsea is Mom of 2 young kids and a Certified Baby and Toddler Sleep Consultant supporting families within Hamilton and beyond. She has a Masters of Professional Education and over 10 years of professional experience supporting families in the community. She works collaboratively with families to empower them with the confidence and tools they need to reach their unique sleep goals. Hear from other rested families here and book a free call with Chelsea here to discuss how she can support your family’s journey to more sleep.
Sources:
Atun-Einy, O., & Scher, A. (2016). Sleep disruption and motor development: Does pulling-to-stand impacts sleep-wake regulation?. Infant behavior & development, 42, 36–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2015.11.003
Lenehan, S. M., Fogarty, L., O’Connor, C., Mathieson, S., & Boylan, G. B. (2023). The Architecture of Early Childhood Sleep Over the First Two Years. Maternal and child health journal, 27(2), 226–250. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-022-03545-9
Scher, A., & Cohen, D. (2015). Sleep as a mirror of developmental transitions in infancy: the case of crawling. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 80(1), 70–88. https://doi.org/10.1111/mono.12145
