Sleep Regressions: Why Your Little Snoozer Suddenly Became a Night Owl (and What You Can Do About It!)
Sleep Regressions: Why Your Little Snoozer Suddenly Became a Night Owl (and What You Can Do About It!)
Picture this: You’re rocking the bedtime routine, your baby is sleeping like a champ, and you’re starting to think you’ve mastered the art of baby sleep… and then—BAM! Suddenly, your little one is up all night, ready to party at 3 a.m. Welcome to the wonderful world of sleep regressions! Here’s everything you need to know about these sneaky stages and how to handle them like a pro.
What in the World Is a Sleep Regression, Anyway?
A sleep regression is like that surprise hiccup you weren’t expecting—only, instead of hiccups, it’s your baby waking up more often, having trouble settling, and maybe even staging a protest at bedtime. It’s a totally normal, albeit exhausting, part of your baby’s development, usually tied to exciting new skills they’re learning. Think of it as your baby’s brain having a little party to celebrate their latest milestones!
The Big Players: Common Sleep Regression Stages
Let’s break down the major sleep regression stages, so you can know what to expect (and maybe keep a coffee stash ready!).
• The 4-Month Regression: Ah, the classic! Around 4 months, your baby’s sleep cycles mature, and they start to cycle between light and deep sleep like we do. The downside? They haven’t learned to link cycles yet, so they wake up frequently and need help settling. Fun times!
• The 8-10 Month Regression: By now, your little mover may be crawling, standing, or babbling up a storm. All that excitement makes it hard to calm down for sleep. (Can you blame them? Imagine just discovering you can move!)
• The 12-Month Regression: Another milestone party! Walking is on the horizon, and so is a new sense of independence. But while they’re excited to explore, it might lead to some nighttime wakings and shorter naps. Hang in there!
• The 18-Month Regression: Welcome to the toddler years, complete with a side of separation anxiety. They’re more aware that you’re a separate person, and sometimes that makes sleep feel a little, well, lonely. Expect some extra cuddles.
• The 2-Year Regression: Independence, meet bedtime battles! With new words and opinions, your toddler may decide that sleep isn’t on their agenda. They may push back at bedtime or wake up wanting to chat about their day.
Tips to Tackle Sleep Regressions (Without Losing Your Mind!)
1. Keep Calm and Stick to A Routine (that I can help you set up)
Even when it feels like chaos, consistency is your friend. Sticking to your usual bedtime routine helps signal to your little one that, yes, it’s still sleepy time—even if they’d rather do cartwheels.
2. Comfort, But Don’t Overdo It
It’s tempting to do whatever it takes to get them back to sleep, but avoid introducing new habits that could be tough to break later (like rocking for hours). A quick cuddle or a soothing phrase can go a long way.
3. Adjust Nap Schedules if Needed
Sometimes a bit more (or less) daytime sleep can help, depending on what’s happening at night. Watch their cues, and be ready to tweak their schedule temporarily if that helps.
4. Remember It’s Temporary
Sleep regressions feel like they last forever, but they don’t. Before you know it, this phase will pass, and you’ll all be sleeping better again—until the next regression, that is!
Feeling like a sleep regression warrior yet? If you need extra support to get through these tricky stages, I’m here to help. Reach out to me at melody@sweetslumbersconsulting.com, and let’s tackle those regressions together. You’ve got this—and sleep is just around the corner!