What is a Baby Sleep Regression?
Here we will talk you through what is a sleep regression and reading the signs and understanding how to get through a sleep regression.
What is a Baby Sleep Regression?
The term “sleep regression” is used to describe the periods of time when your baby who otherwise slept through the night suddenly begins to have uncharacteristically frequent night wakings, and may even have issues napping during the day.
How Long Does a Sleep Regression Last?
If your baby has been sleeping, but suddenly stops with their normal patterns, it can be confusing and frustrating.
Sleep regressions usually last anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, and then your baby’s sleep patterns return to normal as suddenly as they changed.
When Will a Sleep Regression Happen?
Sleep changes often happen when your baby is reaching a developmental milestone.
Dutch researchers Vanderijt and Plooij published a book, “The Wonder Weeks,” entirely about these periods of regressions and growth. Download the app here.
According to their research, growth spurts occur at weeks 5, 8, 12, 19, 26, 37, 46, and 55.
Babies may experience sleep regressions starting around 3 to 4 months, again at 8 to 10 months, 12 months, at 18 months, and again at 2 years. The most common sleep regression ages are 6 weeks, 4 months, and 6 months. It is fairly uncommon for a baby or toddler to have a full-blown sleep regression with every developmental milestone.
How Will You Know It’a a Sleep Regression?
1. Decreased Sleep
Although this is the most obvious sign, it can throw even the most easy-going parents a curveball. Suddenly, your baby is no longer sleeping due to increased night waking, and naps are up in the air. This alone can be very disruptive with sleep deficit and an overtired baby.
2. Extreme Crankiness
It happens to all of us when we don’t get enough sleep: we get cranky, fussy, and short-tempered. The same is true of your baby. Your little one is used to sleeping, and suddenly, they are having trouble. Even a baby who is normally calm and can self-soothe might not be themselves for awhile.
3. More Cuddle Time
It’s hard to understand what’s going on with your baby, especially for them. So they need additional reassurance, and will want lots of snuggles during a sleep regression. This clinginess will dissipate with the return of normal sleep patterns. During this period it’s ok to indulge a bit, especially with a newborn or young baby.
4. Increased Hunger
Growth spurts are a fact of life when you’re a baby, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t taxing. Their little body is working overtime, and it’s causing them to be hungry. So naturally they will want to eat. During the regression, your baby may demand more volume, feeding more often, and seemingly never be full. This will also even out when the regression is over
How To Get Through a Sleep Regression?
1. Recognizing A Sleep Regression
Interruptions in sleep are no fun for anyone, especially if you’ve just begun to enjoy a good night’s sleep again, or are in the middle of gentle sleep coaching. Often, parents do not realize that they are dealing with a sleep regression until after baby takes their first steps, or begins to crawl. It is only in hindsight that we realize a milestone was emerging.
2. Remind Yourself This Will End
It’s important to remember that this is just a growth spurt for your baby. Your schedule will normalize again, and you (and your baby) will sleep again. Most sleep regressions last between 2 and 6 weeks. Anything longer, and you’re probably dealing with a separate issue. During these sleepless weeks, try to remember that your baby is just as tired and confused as you.
3. Soothe Your Baby
Find ways to help soothe your baby enough so that they can get as much sleep as possible. If you have a calming bedtime routine, continue with it — the more normal everything else is, the more familiar their world will be.
4. Avoid New Sleep Associations
Try not to create any new sleep associations. If your child becomes accustomed to a certain situation when they are unwell, they can form sleep associations. And sometimes we need to take an active approach to changing these sleep associations.
Want some extra help?
If you’d like some assistance when your baby has a sleep regression, you can book in a free 15min consult. We can offer support by helping with the environment and nutrition, settling tools and techniques to support your little ones changing patterns.