The Sleep Regressions Ages You Should Know About
Sleep regressions are common in both babies and toddlers and usually coincide with changes in their development. While they can be frustrating, knowing what to expect and how to deal with them can help make the experience a little bit easier. This article will outline the most common sleep regressions by age, and provide tips on how to get through them.
Anytime you hear “sleep regression,” I want you to think PROgression. Your baby is progressing and growing developmentally. This progress and growth may be happening mentally or physically, and that is distracting her from sleep.
What do you need to fall asleep? The right physical conditions – a quiet, dark, cool room and the ability to relax into sleep. Your simple routine of cues that tell your brain it’s sleeping time, finding your favorite position, and then shutting down your brain.
In this blog, we will cover the following:
- Why do sleep regressions happen
- 4-month regression
- 6-9 month regressions
- 12-month regression
- 14-18-month regression
- 24 Month (2 years) Regression
- 2.5 Year old Nap Resistance
>>>>>>Get Your Sleep Regression Survial Guide Here! <<<<<!
Why do sleep regressions happen?
Distractions Lead to Disruptions in Sleep (a.k.a Sleep Regressions)
When your baby is growing physically she might be getting teeth or she might be gaining core strength and learning to roll over. These are two things that can distract your kiddo from relaxing into sleep. Her brain is busy! This will often manifest as a “sleep regression” . . . shorter naps, taking longer to fall asleep, sometimes more night waking and 5 a.m. wake-ups.
4 Month Regression
This one is here to stay!! . Your LO is exiting the “4th Trimester” and literally waking up to the world around her. By 4 months, your baby has ditched her babyish sleeping patterns and is sleeping more like an adult – and that translates into frequent night waking (and lots of fussing) along with shortened naps. She’s also progressing mentally, learning “object permanence.” This is the term for the fact that you exist even though she can’t see you. I often speak with parents whose 3-month-old was sleeping 6-8 hour stretches and is now waking up every 3 hours in the night. Often 1-2 hour naps are becoming only 45 minutes in length during this regression. In addition, there are parents who never really felt the 4 months sleep regression.
Does 4-Month Sleep Regression End?
For some people, the night wakings can recede and for some people, they stick around until they decide to make changes in the way their little one falls asleep. This is also known as “sleep training” or “sleep teaching,” as I like to call it.
6 & 9 Month Regression
6 & 9-month regression are grouped together because the root causes are very similar. Often there are immense changes in mobility through this stage from rolling, to hovering on all fours, to pulling up, to standing in the crib. Sleep regressions related to motor development often manifest as being awake but content in the night in the crib. If you have an independent sleeper (a baby who can put herself to sleep from awake at bedtime), then during this stage you can grab a pillow and put it under your head, and catch some sleep. If your baby is dependent on you to fall asleep, this stage is painful as you are lying awake waiting for her to decide she is ready to go back to sleep.
Now you know anytime you hear “sleep regression” to think PROgression. Your baby is growing mentally or physically, so this should all make sense to you now. Any changes or growth that can distract your child from relaxing into sleep could be called a “sleep regression.” And since no child develops at exactly the same pace, you can see how your baby’s 6-month-old sleep regression could be my 9-month-old baby’s sleep regression if my baby was getting teeth or pulling up on all fours earlier than yours.
>>>>>>Get Your Sleep Regression Survival Guide Here! <<<<<!
12-month Regression
Like other sleep regressions, the one-year regression is characterized by more frequent night wakings and shorter nap intervals, if not resisting nap times altogether. Your child may revert back to the habits of a younger baby, and demonstrate what some call the “3 C’s”: clinginess, crying, and crankiness.
At any rate, this regression has a lot to do with naps – specifically, you might find that your baby suddenly starts refusing their second nap, and tries to get by with just one nap.
Lots of parents assume that this is a normal nap transition and that it means their little one is ready for just one nap a day. However, we urge parents to treat this one as the temporary speedbump it most likely is instead. Most toddlers really aren’t ready to transition to just one nap a day until about 15-18 months old, on average
14-18-month Regression
This one is a BIG one!! Again I use the age 14 – 18 months a little loosely as there are some major changes happening around this time Your baby is not a baby anymore. Because now your baby is a toddler – a walking, talking (well, babbling at least), tantrum-throwing toddler. This regression has a lot to do with your toddler’s newfound independence. She’s learning that – guess what – she has opinions!! And – even better – she can express those opinions by shouting “NO!” at top volume! Separation anxiety also comes into play here; your toddler may genuinely be distressed when you leave at nap time, or when you walk out of the room at bedtime. Finally, teething is still a factor at 18 months – toddlers are often cutting molars (those big, painful teeth!) around this time.
>>>>>>Get Your Sleep Regression Survival Guide Here! <<<<<!
24 Month (2 years) Regression
Around this time many kiddos go through a language burst where they are able to express themselves more. Often a sleep regression at this stage manifests as your baby being awake but content in the middle of the night, babbling to themselves. It can also manifest as resistance to going to sleep.
Second Year Molars
Distracted by discomfort in the gums, this sleep regression manifests as a finger in the mouth at bedtime and 5 a.m. wake-ups.
2.5 Year old Nap Resistance
Nap resistance can be present here when a child does not want to miss out on the world. Many parents take this as a sign that it’s time to drop a nap, but don’t be fooled! Most kiddos need to nap until 3 to 4 years of age. This too shall pass.
>>>>>>Get Your Sleep Regression Survival Guide Here! <<<<<!
Final Thoughts
Babies and toddlers go through sleep regressions because they are growing and developing. As your little one changes and grows, their needs will change too, and this can often mean disrupted sleep. Fortunately, most sleep regressions only last for a few weeks before things get back to normal. If you’re experiencing difficulties with sleep during a regression, please reach out for some support.
How has your baby or toddler’s sleep been affected by sleep regressions?
I have so much more I want to teach you about baby and toddler sleep and how you can help your baby!
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Sending sleepy vibes and sweet dreams your way!
Erin McCormick
Your Pediatric Sleep Specialist