Sleep regressions are something that so many parents fear. We are going to talk all about what to expect and what to do with them, but first I want to look at and think about what is really happening here.
Regressions and Progressions
As a parent, I had heard about sleep regressions. I had never heard of progressions in these conversations. Let’s look at what google gives us for the definitions of each.
Regression is defined as: “a return to a former or less developed state” or “a return to an earlier stage of life”.
Progression is defined as: “the process of developing or moving gradually towards a more advanced state”.
As our babies develop and reach new milestones they are progressing. For some babies, these progressions can impact sleep negatively, but that doesn’t mean that their sleep is necessarily regressing. There certainly can be times where this happens, but I have found it helpful to know that interruptions to sleep aren’t always a regression but rather a phase due to progress in other areas.
Let’s talk about some of the common sleep progressions and sleep regressions
I want to emphasize, not all babies will experience changes to their sleep as they progress developmentally. Some babies will have minor changes and some will have greater changes. All babies won’t experience these at exactly the same time. For example, if your baby was born prematurely you would want to consider their adjusted age.
There are also other factors that will impact sleep. Things like illness, traveling, and so on. These can coincide with periods of developmental progress as well, so it can be hard to pinpoint exactly what’s causing changes to sleep. If the changes to sleep are temporary and you and your child are able to get back into a good rhythm with sleep, then that is what really matters.
4-Months
At four months, babies are becoming more alert. We will see sleep cycles starting to form and the circadian rhythm becomes more established. At times, we may see longer stretches of sleep at night as sleep is now based more on lightness and darkness. Some babies will also start rolling around this age, which means it will be time to stop swaddling. This time is known as the four month regression because of the changes that can happen in sleep. These changes can include waking more overnight and shorter naps due to the actual biological changes that happen.
8 Months
Around 8 months, many babies will start to reach some new motor milestones which can include sitting up, either supported or on their own, they will often start crawling, and they will often start exploring toys more such as banging toys on surfaces. Also at this stage, babies will be eating more solid foods, both in terms of variety and quantity. For sleep milestones, this is a time many babies will start moving towards the transition of three naps to two naps. Some babies at this age will also be sleeping through the night and may have an overall more consistent pattern to their sleep.
10-12 Months
During this age range, babies are continuing to work on their motor milestones. For gross motor skills we will see babies start pulling to stand on objects and they may be starting to walk. Babies will also be babbling more and may start saying simple words or using simple signs, and along with this they are understanding more language and may even be trying to imitate language or actions. During this progression, babies are continuing to increase the variety of foods they are eating and may be starting more table foods. This is also a time where separation anxiety can occur for some babies. With sleep, babies are generally on a steady nap schedule, with two naps daily, and bedtime is becoming more consistent as well.
18 Months
During this time, our little ones are now toddlers and are continuing to develop new skills with increasing communication and problem solving. This is an age where separation anxiety can be strong and it is also a time where toddlers are exploring their independence. These factors can lead to regressions with sleep, where toddlers may suddenly not want to sleep independently. This is also a time where they are transitioning to one nap and having longer awake times.
2 Years
This is the last common time for progressions/regressions and if you’re a parent of a two year old, then you know that there is so much going on at this age. At this age they may be needing a little less sleep than they previously needed, so this can impact the overall schedule. This is also an age where children can experience separation anxiety, especially as there are sometimes other changes happening such as potty training or transitioning to a toddler bed. Two year olds are also very imaginative which can lead to fears surrounding bedtime and the dark. These are all things to keep in mind if your child suddenly starts having disrupted sleep.
What to do if you suspect a sleep regression or progression is happening?
First, I always say don’t panic. As with everything, this is just a phase – it may not be easy but it will pass.
Next, stay consistent. A sleep regression isn’t a time to make any drastic changes or introduce something new. For example, if your 2 year old is suddenly resisting their nap, don’t assume that it’s time to drop the nap and move forward with that. Keep things as consistent as possible, including the routines before sleep.
It’s totally normal for babies and toddlers to suddenly struggle with sleep as they are learning or about to learn a new skill. If your child is working on a new skill, you can give them lots of opportunities to work on this skill during the daytime. Mastering whatever skill it may be can help move past it affecting their sleep. One skill that comes to mind is pulling to stand. I know so many babies that have loved practicing pulling to stand in their crib, but then they get themselves stuck and don’t know how to get down. Giving them lots of opportunities to practice this during the day can really be helpful so that they learn how to get back down.
If your child is experiencing separation anxiety, making sure to give them some undivided one on one time during the day can help. It can be especially helpful to do this close to bedtime, and it doesn’t have to be a long time – even 10-15 minutes of dedicated time can offer nice opportunities for bonding and connection.
With toddlers, you can really explore what is going on and it can be appropriate and helpful to talk certain things out. If they are experiencing fears, you can talk about these. I would recommend doing this during the day and not near sleep times.
Be patient and stay calm. I know this is easier said than done, but it is true. Generally, with consistency and solid sleep hygiene habits, sleep regressions or progressions will fade in a matter of a few weeks. If you are finding that this isn’t the case or if you just want support during this time, don’t hesitate to reach out.
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