Sleep Regression in Babies – Causes, Signs and Tips

Top 5 Causes of Sleep Regression in Babies

You’ll be overjoyed when you find out that sleep regression can be the clue to so many good and exciting developments in your little one.

1. Milestones

Your baby is itching to try out their newly learned skills and doesn’t want to sleep. From crawling, cooing, and sitting up to walking tremblingly, the sheer excitement to test these abilities awakens them at night. Gradually, they do realize that there’s no rush to test out their brand-new tricks when the sun is down.

2. Growth

With the passage of time, your baby’s wake window becomes long, and they require lesser naps. For instance, an 8-month-old will shift into two naps from three naps. When this happens, babies begin to resist their naps. But regardless, let them take three naps in between a few days, and make the transition a bit smoother. This way, they won’t be over-exhausted at night, which makes falling asleep a daunting task.

3. Teething/ Illnesses

Cutting a tooth is coupled with cries, discomfort and clinginess which distresses a baby and disturbs their usual sleep routine. Besides, you need to wear your detective hat to check for fever, seasonal allergies, abnormal breathing, and so on. Illnesses like these make sleeping burdensome for babies.

4. Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is making your baby crave your love. Babies get extra sticky with their caregivers when they experience separation anxiety. They begin to realize that only you give them love and nourishment. And that’s why they burst into tears the moment they can’t find you when they come awake. In fact, this anxiety itself is breaking their sleep to check if you’re nearby.

5. Changes in Sleep Cycle

Babies spend a major chunk of sleep in what we call deep sleep. This is a baby’s sleep cycle. As they get older, their sleep cycle makes them pass through light and deep sleep, just like adults. Initially, babies simply come out of sleep whenever they enter into a light sleep phase and adjusting to it takes a little time.

Signs of Sleep Regression in Babies

Here are some common signs which typically point towards an occurrence of sleep regression.

Your baby is

1. Waking up more frequently at night than usual.
2. Fussier and more agitated than normal throughout the day and at night.
3. Finding it difficult to drift into sleep.
4. Unable to nap as per their usual routine.
5. Resisting sleep  and naptimes with loads of crying.
6. Napping a bit extra during the day to make up for the poor sleep at night.

How Long Does Sleep Regression in Babies Last?

How long this annoying guest stays with your baby’s sleep depends on their age when they’re going through it and the reason behind their sleep regression.

As you’ve read the causes of sleep regression above, you now know that it can happen because of multiple things. Once what’s causing sleep regression gets resolved on its own, or with external help, their sleep problems will disappear.

Moreover, if they’re facing a 4-month sleep regression, it just lasts for 1-2 weeks at most. And similarly, sleep regression at other ages too is short-lived.

Baby Sleep Regression by Age

Sleep regression happens for different reasons at different ages:

4 Month Sleep Regression

This first sleep regression can be very hard to bear. 4 month sleep regression is often linked to teething, hunger caused by growth spurts and the enthusiasm to move their bodies and rollover.

6 Month Sleep Regression

The reasons for 6 month sleep regression include growth spurts and milestones. Babies are capable of sleeping through the night if healthy sleep methods are promoted.

8 Month Sleep Regression

The excitement of crawling and standing up can’t be contained in sleep, so they wake up! Another factor that may be responsible for 8 month sleep regression includes separation anxiety, which is normal at this stage.

12 Month Sleep Regression

Taking their first baby steps can be what keeps them awake at night. Their desire to test their mobility skills keeps them worked up during the night resulting is 12 month sleep regression.

Tips to Help Your Baby Establish a Sleep Routine

You can take a sigh of relief as sleep regression is temporary and can be eased with some useful tips:

1. Start Sleep Training

• Allow your baby to sleep on their own.
• Have a separate bed or crib in the same room if you have been co-sleeping so far.
• Stop taking them out of their crib, cuddling and feeding them when they come awake during the night.
• Wait and let them self-soothe themselves into their sleep, it’ll create a healthy sleeping habit.
• Give them a lovey (transitional object) to soothe themselves on their own.
• If necessary, pat their head or tummy, and speak in a melodious tone.

[Read : Sleep Training a Baby]

2. Have a Bedtime Routine

• Adapt something like dinner, bath, reading, and lullabies in series as a consistent routine for bedtime.
• A proper bedtime routine will signal their bodies that it’s time for some zzz’s.
• Place a white noise machine if you would like to create a distraction-free atmosphere for your baby to wind down.

[Read : Establishing a Bedtime Routine For Babies]

3. Let Them Put Their Skills to Test During the Day

• Allow your baby to test out their newfound skill whether it be trying to sit up, crawl, or babble during the daytime.
• Give them plenty of time to play during the day.

3. Avoid Over Exhaustion Before Bedtime

• Ensure that they’re not overtired before bedtime because entering into sleep becomes difficult in such states. For that, give them sufficient naps throughout the day, and before bedtime, see that their wake window is not too long as it will cause over-exhaustion.
• Be watchful of when they yawn, look away, rub their eyes, and become fussy. This means they want to sleep and staying awake further will make them too tired.
• Avoid screen time at least a couple of hours before bed.

[Read : Overstimulation in Babies]

When Should You Consider Seeing a Doctor?

Remember that sleep regression stretches no longer than a few weeks. It’s normal and can’t be stopped completely. You can only create healthy sleeping habits which may end it sooner or make it much less distressing. But if you notice the signs below accompanying sleep regression, talk to your pediatrician

• Their body is not growing at a healthy rate
• They are resisting to be fed over and over
• They breathe abnormally while sleeping
• Their bowel movements and urination have reduced to the point where you see it as not normal
• They are showing signs of being ill or sick and hence refusing to sleep

Dealing with sleep regression in babies isn’t a fun activity to be engaged in for the parents. But you should change your focus and see the positive. It’s a chance for you to create so many healthy sleeping habits which will make your baby’s health shine brightly.

FAQ’s

1. What Age Do Babies Have Sleep Regression?

Babies may go through sleep regression anywhere within 3-4 months, 6-8 months, 9-10 months, 12-18 months and around 2 years of age. The time period can vary from one baby to another.

2. How Does Sleep Regression in Babies End?

Sleep regression ends on its own in 2 weeks and sometimes, 4 weeks at the most.

3. Should I Feed at Nights During Sleep Regression?

If your baby is below 6 months, you should give them one or two feedings but if they’re older, try to see if they can self-soothe themselves to sleep.

Read Also: How Many Hours of Sleep Do Babies Need By Age?