6 Month Sleep Regression in Babies – Signs, Causes and Tips

1. Milestones

Reaching milestones is one of the main reasons that a baby can face issues falling and staying asleep. The following milestones can be responsible.

• Babbling
• Rolling over
• Crawling
• Trying to sit with support

During this period, babies want to move their muscles and practice their newfound abilities like crawling, cooing with you, and sitting up. Such excitement makes their sleep disappear. But remember, if this is the reason, they may not cry and just stay normal while they come out of sleep.

2. Exhaustion

As babies get increasingly active throughout the day, they get exhausted. Dozing off becomes burdensome if a baby is too tired when trying to sleep. Try to engage your baby in some other winding down activities before bedtime such as story reading, playing with building blocks, etc.

[Read : Overstimulation in Babies]

3.  Disturbances in Sleep Cycle

Babies at this stage begin to move into similar sleep cycles as adults (REM sleep and 3 non-REM sleep types). And this new pattern may also wake them up at the beginning.

4. Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety will make your baby want to crave your love and come out of sleep at night. This also causes sleep regression in babies of this age.

5. Teething

Most babies will erupt their first tooth around their 6th month. Teething related symptoms such as pain, restlessness, and discomfort cause babies to go through sleep regression

Signs of Sleep Regression in a 6 Month Old Baby

You will really know when your baby’s sleep regression has kicked in. But if these are the signs your baby is showing, you can be sure that your baby is going through a sleep regression.

During a phase of 6 month sleep regression, your baby will show the following signs. Your baby

• Wakes more often at night, and doesn’t doze off to sleep again easily.
• Find it difficult to drift asleep during the night as well as the day. Be it day or night, drifting into sleep is difficult.
• Nap more at night due to lack of proper sleep in the day.
• Nap for short time and get restless after waking up.
• Irritated, agitated and cries a lot due to lack of proper sleep.
• Most importantly, going through a major milestone such as learning to babble, cutting a tooth, trying to crawl or sit etc.

How Long Does Sleep Regression Last in a 6 Month Baby?

If you set up consistent and healthy sleeping habits, sleep regression won’t last for more than a few days or some weeks. Further, your little one will also realize that nighttime should be spared for sleeping and the excitement of crawling, babbling, and so forth should be limited to the day.

Tips to Help Your 6 Month Baby Establish a Sleep Routine

Please remember that in spite of following all the best practices, you will at least have to face sleep regression for some days or weeks at most, as it can’t be stopped completely from happening.

1. Understand Your Baby’s Sleep Cues

From a habit of placing your baby in their crib or bed when you see them fussy, rubbing their eyes. With the passage of time, they will begin to drift into sleep upon seeing their crib.

[Read : Sleep Training a Baby]

2. Sleep Train Your Baby

Make them nap and sleep around the same time every day. Babies at this age need at least 3 naps a day. Moreover, make their surroundings quiet, cuddle them, and sing to them sweetly. Such activities will signal to their body that it’s time to sleep.

3. Establish a Bedtime Routine

Help your baby unwind at the end of the day with a specific routine that is comfortable to you and your baby ending with bedtime. As your baby gets used to this routine, they will end up sleeping on their own and well too.

[Read : Establishing a Bedtime Routine For Babies]

4. Help Your Baby Understand Difference Between Day And Night

Create the day lively with fun-filled stuff and night distraction-free ending with their usual sleep routine. This stark difference will signal their inner clock about when to be awake and when to sleep.

When Should You Consider Seeing a Doctor?

It’s good to visit your family doctor if these symptoms accompany sleep regression in your baby

• Not gaining weight properly
• Lack of appetite
• Shortening of bowel movement or urination
• Unusual breathing
• Signs of illness or sickness

6 month sleep regression in babies is common and resolves on its own within a week or two. However, a bit of sleep training from the initial days or months of your baby’s life can help them deal with this phase better.

FAQ’s

1. Do Babies Go Back to Normal After Sleep Regression?

Yes, it will only last for a couple of weeks at most. After that, your baby will sleep as usual.

2. What Should You Not Do During a Sleep Regression?

Gently rub their head or speak in a relaxing tone to let them drift back into sleep. Taking them out of their crib will disturb their sleep.

3. Does Every Baby Go Through a Sleep Regression?

Sleep regression is very common at 6 months, but some babies don’t experience it at all.

4. How Long Does a Sleep Regression Last?

For most babies, sleep regression can last between 2 and 6 weeks. This differs from baby to baby and one sleep regression cycle to another. Sleep regressions happen about 4 to 5 times during the first year of a baby’s life and each time the mother may find a different experience with the baby’s sleep patterns and disturbances.

5. Does Sleep Regression End Naturally?

Yes, sleep regression ends naturally. It is simply a phase where the baby might find it difficult to fall and/or stay asleep due to factors such as milestones. This stage usually ends on its own in a few weeks.

6. What is The Difference Between Sleep Regression And Teething?

Sleep regression is a phase where a baby faces sleeping difficulties and disturbances. This can happen due to various reasons such as learning new milestones and activities, illnesses, teething, growth spurts or any physiological changes. Teething is a stage where a baby starts to cut gums and sprout a tooth. Babies may experience sleeplessness during teething due to pain, inflammation and irritability.