Baby Sleep Regression: What It Is and How to Handle It
As new parents, you can never get enough of watching your baby sleep safely and peacefully. But the road to that peaceful image is not always easy. Even babies who initially slept well can suddenly begin to wake more often and become restless.
If your baby experiences sudden sleep disturbances and increased restlessness, sleep regression may be the reason. Sleep regression is very common in infants and young children. While it is a normal part of development, it can still be confusing and exhausting for parents. Understanding what sleep regression is and why it happens can make this phase easier to manage.
In this article, we take a closer look at what baby sleep regression is, the ages at which it typically occurs, the phases of sleep regression, and how you can best support your baby through this demanding but temporary stage.
What Is Baby Sleep Regression?
Sleep regression is a term used to describe a sudden and temporary change in a baby’s sleep pattern. During sleep regression, your baby may wake more frequently at night, have difficulty falling asleep, or struggle with daytime naps.
Sleep regression is a natural part of infant development and usually occurs during predictable stages. It is often caused by physical, emotional, and developmental changes in your baby’s life.
Common causes include rapid brain development, growth spurts, developmental leaps, teething, illness, and changes in routines or surroundings.
How to Handle Baby Sleep Regression
Sleep regression is something many babies experience during their first years. Although changes in sleep can be difficult, there are several strategies parents can use to help their baby through this phase.
When Does Sleep Regression Occur?
Sleep regression can happen at different ages, and each phase varies in intensity and duration. Below are the most common sleep regression stages.
4-Month Sleep Regression
The 4-month sleep regression is one of the most significant changes in a baby’s sleep pattern. At this age, your baby’s sleep cycle matures and begins to resemble that of an adult. This change often results in more frequent night awakenings and difficulty sleeping for long stretches.
6-Month Sleep Regression
Around six months, sleep regression may occur as your baby reaches new developmental milestones. Rolling, sitting up, crawling, teething, and increased awareness of the body can all disrupt sleep.
8–10 Month Sleep Regression
Between eight and ten months, many babies experience sleep regression related to crawling, standing, and increased mobility. Separation anxiety often develops during this stage, which can make it harder for your baby to settle for naps and bedtime.
12-Month Sleep Regression
At around twelve months, sleep regression often appears when babies transition from two naps to one. Your child may resist naps, wake more often at night, or struggle at bedtime.
Sleep Regression After 18 Months
After 18 months, sleep regression is commonly linked to major developmental milestones such as walking, talking, and increased independence. Your child may wake during the night, wake early, or resist sleep.
Sleep Regression After 2 Years
Sleep regression after age two often occurs during transitions, such as moving from a crib to a toddler bed. New sleep environments can cause difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
Phases of Sleep Regression
Sleep regression typically follows certain patterns.
Daytime sleep regression, where naps become shorter or are skipped altogether.
Nighttime sleep regression, where your baby wakes more often or has difficulty falling back asleep.
Shortened sleep duration, where both naps and nighttime sleep become shorter, often leading to overtiredness and increased fussiness.
Common Signs of Sleep Regression
Sleep regression can be difficult to identify, especially for first-time parents. Common signs include:
Difficulty Falling Asleep
Your baby may resist sleep despite being tired and may cry or become upset at nap time or bedtime.
Frequent Night Wakings
Your baby may wake more often during the night without an obvious reason and need more comfort to fall back asleep.
Shorter Naps
Naps may become very short or disappear entirely, leading to daytime crankiness and fatigue.
Changes in Appetite
Sleep regression can affect appetite, causing your baby to eat less during the day or wake more often at night to feed.
Irritability During the Day
Lack of quality sleep can make your baby more fussy, restless, and difficult to soothe.
Changes in Behavior
Your baby may become more clingy, seek more physical closeness, or have difficulty adjusting to new people or environments.
Tips for Managing Sleep Regression
Sleep regression can be challenging for both baby and parents, but there are ways to support your baby.
Create a Consistent Bedtime Routine
A predictable bedtime routine helps your baby feel safe and prepares them for sleep. Stick to the same routine for bedtime and naps.
Comfort Your Baby
During sleep regression, your baby may need extra comfort. Gentle touch, rocking, singing, or soothing sounds can help. Some parents find that a weighted swaddle or weighted sleep sack provides additional calm and security.
Stay Calm and Patient
Sleep regression can be frustrating, but staying calm helps your baby feel secure. Remember that this phase is temporary and will pass.
Talk to Your Pediatrician
If you are concerned about your baby’s sleep or if sleep regression lasts longer than expected, consult your pediatrician to rule out medical issues.
Take Care of Yourself
Sleep regression is exhausting. Make sure you prioritize rest, nutrition, and support from family or friends whenever possible.
Conclusion
Sleep regression is a normal part of your baby’s development and can be challenging for tired parents. Understanding what sleep regression is, when it occurs, and how to respond makes it easier to support your child through this phase.
With patience, consistency, and reassurance, sleep regression will pass, allowing your family to return to more restful nights and enjoy everyday life with your baby.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between sleep regression and sleep deprivation?
Sleep regression is a temporary developmental phase, while sleep deprivation is a long-term lack of sleep that can affect anyone.
Is sleep regression normal?
Yes, sleep regression is a natural part of infant development.
How long does sleep regression last?
Sleep regression usually lasts from a few weeks to a couple of months.
Can sleep regression be prevented?
Sleep regression cannot be prevented, but consistent routines and a calming sleep environment can help ease the transition.
When should I contact a pediatrician?
If you are concerned about your baby’s sleep or if sleep regression continues for an extended period, contact your pediatrician for guidance.
Let customers speak for us
Our son woke Up very often in the middle of the night and struggled to calm down. The weighted back helps him to sleep through the night and we ordered a second one.
I'm a big fan of sleepsacks, both with and without weight. The swaddle is clearly well thought out. It's very intuitive how the arms should be placed. The weight has a smart shape and filling. It even has small holes along the sides to ensure your baby doesn't get overheated. The material is nice quality and the zipper seems like it will live out the lifetime of the product. Love it.
Wir sind super zufrieden. Meine Tochter(9monate) konnte nie auf dem Rücken schlafen weil sie immer durch ihre eigenen Bewegungen wach wurde. Seit dem ersten Tag der Nutzung kann sie jetzt auf dem Rücken schlafen, schläft viel schneller ein und wacht nicht mehr so oft in der Nacht auf wie davor. Ich fände es super wenn der Ausschnitt am Nacken tiefer wäre dann könnte man den schlafsack auch "falschrum" anziehen und das Gewicht auf dem Rücken haben sodass das Baby auch auf dem Bauch schlafen kann aber sonst top!!!
Wir haben den Schlafsack mit und ohne Beine und jetzt zuletzt auch die Weste gekauft.
Den Schlafsack haben wir gekauft, weil unser Baby damals immer schon um fünf Uhr morgens wach wurde, und nicht mehr weiter schlafen wollte. Nachdem sie mit dem Schlafsack geschlafen hatte, hat sie bis sieben Uhr morgens geschlafen und das einmal nachts Stillen hat sie auch aufgegeben und durchgeschlafen!!!
Seit her verwenden wir die Schlafsäcke vor allem wegen des frühen Aufwachens! Wir haben Phasen wo wir ihn nicht brauchen und Phasen, wo sie wieder damit schläft!
Einfach Top diese Schlafsäcke!
Für den Sommer schön dünn vom Stoff!
Im Winter haben wir in den Babyzeiten einen Wintersack drüber gezogen!
Und jetzt schläft sie einfach mit Decke drüber.
Vielen Dank für diese tollen Produkte.
Wir nennen unseren Schlafsack Schildkröte, weil es aussieht, als hätte sie einen Krötenpanzer an.
Ausprobieren und lieben!!!
Made it possible to put the baby down in the baby nest! Before baby could just sleep on me.
We had extreme problems with our 3rd child's sleep. After 3 months, we were at our wit's end and tried just about everything. He never slept for more than 45 minutes at a time and not by himself. It improved with the weighted sleeping swaddle. Now he is 5 months old and sleeps well for several hours.
Our daughter is 17 months old and she has a regular wake-up schedule around 9 PM, 11 PM, 2 AM, 4 AM, and 5:30 AM, usually staying awake between 5:30 AM and 6:30 AM.
She frequently wakes up during the night, feeling upset, tossing and turning, and wanting to breastfeed. She gets upset if she doesn't get to breastfeed and prefers to sleep on us while we have to stand up and rock her back to sleep. She usually sleeps in my bed.
Nights have been challenging, and we were getting desperate. However, last night was our first experience with the weighted sleeping bag... 😱 😱
She woke up around 12 AM for the first time, climbed on me, and quickly fell back asleep. She woke up a few times after that but managed to soothe herself back to sleep. At 5 AM, I had to stand up and rock her, but she quickly fell back asleep. At 6:10 AM, there was a joyful wake-up call from our 1.5-year-old. She slept much more soundly and peacefully, and she managed to fall back asleep on her own, which she had never done before.
We noticed a significant improvement just on the first night. In fact, I don't feel utterly exhausted this morning and don't have that pressing need to take a nap during the day, which I usually do. I'm feeling enthusiastic about the upcoming nights and hoping to get a full night's sleep without interruptions, so I can regain some normalcy in my life. I can't imagine what we would have done if we hadn't found this weighted sleeping bag.
I just want to say... thank you!! ❤
About 4 months ago, we entered a nightmare period. Our little boy, who had been sleeping through the night and was generally happy, suddenly started waking up multiple times during the night, inconsolable. Initially, we attributed it to a cold, but even after he recovered, the night disturbances continued. About 2 months later, he was diagnosed with asthma, which seemed like a valid reason for his nighttime awakenings. However, despite responding well to asthma medication and having no issues during the daytime, the nights remained a pure ordeal. He would wake up incredibly anxious and screaming, and we often found ourselves staying up for hours trying to soothe him back to sleep. We tried everything and came across something called 'Night Terrors,' which seemed to describe his symptoms perfectly – an anxious nightmare from which he couldn't wake up, likely triggered by his illness.
I am a trained occupational therapist, and I understand the importance of sensory stimuli for many individuals. So, we began researching products related to weighted blankets/bags. That's when we discovered this sleeping bag.
We received it a week ago, and now, he puts it on when he has his nighttime bottle, creating a positive association. And I must say, it's been a tremendous success. He has slept for a full 11 hours every night for the past 7 nights. Our boy is now extremely happy and well-rested, and so are his parents
Our son used to wake up in the middle of the night and struggle to fall back asleep, sometimes staying awake for 2-3 hours. When we read a lot about weighted pajamas, we decided to give them a try. We noticed results almost immediately. He started falling asleep faster and sleeping more peacefully. Instead of having 2-4 wakeful nights a week, it reduced to just one. Now that he has moved in with his big sister, he sleeps through the entire night, and we still use the weighted pajamas because we're afraid to try without them.
We purchased the Baby Deepsleep for our son a couple of months ago. It worked very well in terms of his daytime naps, but it was challenging to determine if it helped at night since our son continued to wake up as frequently as before. Nevertheless, it's a nice product, and I can certainly recommend it to everyone I know to give it a try
When my daughter turned 4 months old, her sleep gradually started to deteriorate. By the time she was 7-8 months old, it had become so bad that going to bed seemed pointless. She would wake up crying 1-2 times every hour throughout the night, and sometimes even more frequently during the early hours of the night. It was absolute torture.
I was aware of weighted swaddle but had hesitated due to the price. However, after trying everything else without success, it was our last option. We've used it for the past 4 nights, and the results have been remarkable. For the first 2 nights, she slept for 7-8 hours straight, and for the last 2 nights, she slept for a whopping 10 hours (!!) before waking up for a bottle. It's been incredible, and it has truly been my salvation. I should have bought it several months ago. I can't recommend a weighted bag enough!
Our girl had colic for the first 2 months, and all her sleep was on us parents... 🤯 We couldn't get her to sleep on her own under any circumstances. The first few nights with the weighted swaddle were a bit challenging as it didn't wrap as tightly as she was used to. But then, something miraculous happened! We woke up one morning and were utterly amazed because she had slept for 11 hours straight. Initially, we thought it might be a one-time occurrence, but to our delight, she has been doing the same thing every night since! 🤩 It's been a month now, and we use the weighted swaddle every time she needs to sleep, whether it's in the sling, the stroller, or the crib. We're even considering getting an extra one because we can't do without it when it's being washed. 😅🙈 The weighted swaddle has truly been invaluable to us, and we wholeheartedly recommend it!
Highly recommended if you have a child who refuses to sleep. My daughter, who was then 5 months old, simply wouldn't sleep. But once she got the weighted sleeping swaddle, she started sleeping right away. I could even stop using the stroller, and she would continue sleeping.
She went from only sleeping for 20 minutes while being held to using the weighted sleeping swaddle, and on the first day, she slept for 40 minutes in her stroller. The naps only got longer from there. Now, she's a happy and well-rested child! 🤩😍
We purchased a weighted bag for our 13-month-old daughter, who hasn't had significant sleep issues. She used to wake up 3 times at night for breastfeeding. After using the weighted bag for 14 days, we've seen a noticeable improvement. She has at least halved the number of awakenings where she needs assistance to fall back asleep 🤪.
We also immediately noticed a slower respiratory rate, with deeper breaths.
We're very pleased with the customer service and the fast delivery to Norway.
Our baby becomes noticeably calmer as soon as we put on the sleeping bag.
I was recommended one for babies aged 8 months and older, with a minimum weight of 10 kg. However, it turned out to be too big for our child, so I am selling mine to buy a smaller one.