12 Month Sleep Regression: Symptoms, Causes, & Coping Strategies

Search Store

You may have heard of the infamous "sleep regression" which can also occur around the 12-month mark. This can be a trying time for parents who may not know what to expect and how to cope. In this article, we'll explore what the 12-month sleep regression is, why it occurs, the symptoms, causes, and coping strategies to help you get through this stage.

What is 12 Month Sleep Regression?

The 12-month sleep regression is a period of time when a baby's sleep patterns become disrupted, causing them to wake up more frequently during the night and take shorter naps during the day. It typically occurs around the 12-month mark, but it can happen any time between 10 and 18 months of age.

Why 12 Month Sleep Regression Occurs

The 12-month sleep regression is caused by a combination of factors, including physical and cognitive development, separation anxiety, and changes in routine. As your baby grows and develops, they may experience new milestones such as walking, talking, and teething, which can all disrupt their sleep patterns. Additionally, your baby may become more aware of their surroundings and experience separation anxiety when you leave the room, making it difficult for them to fall asleep on their own.

Importance of Understanding the Regression for Parents

As a parent, it's important to understand the 12-month sleep regression so that you can cope with it in a healthy way. Knowing what to expect can help you prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for the changes that are about to happen. This can help you remain patient and consistent during this difficult time, which is important for both you and your baby.

Symptoms of 12 Month Sleep Regression

The following are the most common symptoms of 12-month sleep regression:

Changes in sleep patterns such as frequent night waking and shorter naps
Difficulty falling asleep
Separation anxiety

Causes of 12 Month Sleep Regression

Several factors can contribute to 12-month sleep regression, including:

Physical and Cognitive Development: As your baby grows and develops, they may experience new milestones such as walking, talking, and teething, which can all disrupt their sleep patterns.
Separation Anxiety: Your baby may become more aware of their surroundings and experience separation anxiety when you leave the room, making it difficult for them to fall asleep on their own.
Changes in Routine: Changes in routine, such as traveling, moving, or starting daycare, can also disrupt your baby's sleep patterns.

Duration of 12 Month Sleep Regression

The 12-month sleep regression typically lasts between two to six weeks. However, the duration can be influenced by factors such as your baby's temperament, the level of consistency in their routine, and how you respond to their sleep disruptions.

Coping with 12 Month Sleep Regression

Coping with the 12-month sleep regression can be challenging, but there are some strategies that can help. Here are a few tips to consider:

Establish a consistent bedtime routine: A consistent bedtime routine can help your baby feel more secure and prepared for sleep.
Comfort your baby during waking periods: When your baby wakes up during the night, try to comfort them without picking them up if possible. This can help them learn to self-soothe and fall back asleep on their own.
Encourage independent sleep: Encouraging your baby to fall asleep on their own can help them develop healthy sleep habits.
Keep daytime routines consistent: Consistency during the day can also help your baby establish a healthy sleep schedule.

Summary

The 12-month sleep regression is a period of disrupted sleep patterns that can occur around the 12-month mark. It is caused by a combination of factors such as physical and cognitive development, separation anxiety, and changes in routine. The coping strategies mentioned above will help you to overcome this regression in time. Remember to remain patient and consistent, and your baby's sleep patterns will eventually return to normal.

FAQs:

Is the 12-month sleep regression common?

Yes, the 12-month sleep regression is a common developmental phase that many babies go through.

Can sleep regression last longer than six weeks?

In some cases, the 12-month sleep regression can last longer than six weeks, but this is not common.

Can sleep training be effective during the regression?

Sleep training may not be as effective during the regression due to the baby's increased anxiety and changes in routine. It is recommended to wait until the regression passes before attempting sleep training.

Is the 12-month sleep regression permanent?

No, the 12-month sleep regression is a temporary phase that typically lasts between two to six weeks. With patience and consistency, your baby's sleep patterns will eventually return to normal.

More stories

8-Month Sleep Regression: What It Is and How to Survive It

Getting a good night's sleep is a luxury that becomes a distant memory once your baby arrives. Just when you think you've figured out a routine tha...

18 Month Sleep Regression: Challenges & Effective Solutions

As your toddler reaches the 18-month milestone, you may experience a common sleep problem known as 18 Month Sleep Regression. This can be a challen...

Not sure yet

We have been using the deepsleep swaddle for ten days now with our 20 week old daughter.
Her sleep has improved somewhat from waking up every hour to waking up every two to three hours. We are still co-sleeping because she still can’t be put down even after she’s been asleep for 10, 20 or 30 minutes. We have made some other changes to our routine and sleeping arrangement so not sure if the improvement is due to this or the sleeping bag, or simply her own development (because we see progress in other areas as well)
We see no changes in her naps, she only contact naps. Whenever she’s out down, she will wake up immediately or after ten to twenty minutes.

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.