Sleep Regression 101: tips for exhausted moms -

As a first-time mom, I was constantly learning and adapting to the new challenges motherhood brought into my life. Just when I thought I had figured out my baby’s sleep routine, she hit the 4-month sleep regression at just 3 months old. All of a sudden, she started waking up every two hours. It was crazy, and it lasted for a few weeks. She experienced all the classic symptoms: frequent night wakings, shorter naps, increased fussiness, and difficulty falling back asleep. There wasn’t much to do but just hang in there. Unfortunately, you can’t sleep train them at such a young age. I trained mine at 6 months.

What is sleep regression?

Sleep regression is a period when a baby who has been sleeping well suddenly starts waking up more often during the night and having trouble napping. It is a normal part of a baby’s development and can be challenging for both the baby and the parents. Sleep regressions are often linked to growth spurts, developmental milestones, or changes in the baby’s environment or routine. Despite the term ‘regression,’ these are often signs of progression in the child’s development.

Common causes of sleep regression

Common triggers include:

having a growth spurt
teething pain
hitting a developmental milestone
- learning to roll, stand, crawl or walk
- learning to talk or language development
- desire for independence
starting nursery or parent(s) going back to work
separation anxiety
illness
change in nap routine (nap transition)

When can sleep regression happen?

Sleep regressions typically occur at specific stages in a baby’s first year and beyond. The most common ages for sleep regressions are:

4 Months (most common): Often the first noticeable sleep regression, linked to a significant developmental leap where babies begin to experience more adult-like sleep cycles. It also can coincide with another big growth spurt, increased social awareness and the very early stages of teething.
8-10 Months: This period often coincides with increase mobility, such as learning to crawl, stand, or walk, which can disrupt sleep. It can also be driven by separation anxiety that’s developing.
12 Months (not as common): Around their first birthday, babies might experience another regression due to increased mobility and cognitive development.
18 Months: As toddlers start to assert their independence, cognitive growth and might also be transitioning from two naps to one, sleep can be disrupted.
24 Months (not as common): This stage is often linked to a surge in language development and possible changes in sleep needs.

Symptoms of sleep regression

Some common symptoms of sleep regression include:

Frequent night wakings: Your baby wakes up more often during the night than usual.
Shorter naps: Naps become shorter and less predictable.
Increased fussiness: Your baby may be more irritable and harder to soothe.
Difficulty falling Asleep: Trouble falling asleep at bedtime or after waking up during the night.
Changes in appetite: Some babies may eat more or less than usual during a regression.
Clinginess: Your baby may be more clingy and need more comfort and reassurance.

What can you do about it?

While sleep regressions can be tough, there are some strategies you can use to help the baby:

Stick to a sleep schedule: It’s important to have a consistent sleep schedule, following the appropriate wake windows and nap numbers for your baby age.
Have a bedtime routine: Maintain a consistent bedtime routine to provide your baby with a sense of security and predictability.
Create a comfortable sleep environment: Ensure your baby’s sleep space is conducive to sleep—dark, quiet, and cool. Here’s a list of products that to achieve a calm sleep environment.
Offer extra comfort: Your baby may need extra cuddles and reassurance during a regression. However, avoid introducing or reintroducing sleep associations (e.g. rocking/feeding to sleep). It’s essential to ride out the regression while maintaining progress.
Ensure proper nutrition: Make sure your baby is getting enough to eat during the day to avoid hunger-related night wakings.
Limit stimulating activities before bedtime: Engage in calming activities leading up to bedtime to help your baby wind down.

Important strategies for the caregiver:

Practice patience: Understand that sleep regressions are temporary and a normal part of development.
Sleep when your baby sleeps: If possible, try to rest when your baby is napping to catch up on sleep yourself.
Seek support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to your partner, family, or friends for support during this challenging time.
Sleep training: Exhausted parents apply sleep training in these periods. Learn more about your options and read to understand different sleep training method’s pros and cons.

How long sleep regression lasts?

Regressions typically last 1-6 weeks, with most resolving within 2 weeks.

My experience with sleep training

While sleep training is not recommended for very young babies (under 4 months), I found it helpful to sleep train my baby at around 6 months and again at 21 months old. At 6 months, she was better equipped to learn how to self-soothe and develop healthy sleep habits. There are various methods of sleep training, and it’s essential to choose one that aligns with your parenting style and your baby’s temperament.

Sleep regressions can be a tough phase, but remember, they are temporary. Sleep regression usually resolves by itself after 30 days. However, if you are too exhausted to last that long, I recommend sleep training.

Products to help baby sleeping

Find here the complete list of products that to achieve a calm sleep environment. Below these are must have products to ensure the sleep environment is conducive for a better sleep.