What is sleep regression?
A sleep regression is a period during which a baby who has previously been sleeping well experiences poor sleep. Sleep regressions can include shorter naps, extreme fussiness at nap-or bedtime, resisting sleep, and frequent wakings during the night.
What causes sleep regression?
Medical experts are of the view that the most common causes of sleep regression include developmental leaps, or a shift in the normal sleep routine. This is part of normal childhood development.
Some factors that may cause discomfort, anxiousness or restlessness including:
growth spurts, (which make babies extra-hungry)
teething pain
reaching a new developmental milestone
disruptions in routines (like starting day care)
illness (such as a cold or ear infection)
When do sleep regressions happen?
Sleep regression can happen at any time because it is linked to unpredictable factors like disruptions in routines or illness. However, there are a few periods when sleep regression is relatively common and can be expected.
3 to 4 months
The most common time is as the fourth month. The 4-month sleep regression is usually due the pain caused by teething and hunger associated with growth spurts.
6 months
Babies often go through another growth spurt when they reach approximately 6 months. This may cause crankiness around bedtime, but they usually maintain sleep for longer and may only wake up occasionally.
8 to 10 months
Many babies begin to crawl when they reach the age of 9 months and many begin to stand at the age of 10 months. These are significant milestones. Separation anxiety is also common around this age and may cause your baby to wake up looking for reassurance during the night.
12 months
Sometime between 9 to 12 months, babies start standing up. At around the one-year mark, others take their first steps and reaching big milestones can cause temporary sleep problems.
How to know whether it is a sleep regression?
Sleep regressions usually occur at the above ages and the signs of a sleep regression can vary. Here are some signs that your baby may be going through a sleep regression:
more frequent night waking
trouble falling asleep at bedtime
increased fussiness or crankiness
sudden resistance to naps
How long does sleep regression last?
Sleep regressions usually last approximately two to four weeks. This is the time that it takes for a baby to get used to a new routine or milestone, or to recover from an illness.
How to deal with sleep regression.
Important baby sleep tips:
Maintain a consistent routine for both nap times and bedtime.
Be sure that your baby’s basic needs are met prior to laying him or her down to rest.
Change the diaper, feed, and dress your baby in appropriate clothing taking into account the temperature of the room.
It’s okay to snuggle, rock, or nurse your baby to sleep. Comfort is natural! Ensure that your baby feels safe and comfortable.
Take turns with your partner to get up to soothe your baby throughout the night as well as to put your baby down for naps and bedtime.
If you’re raising your little one on your own, call in favors from friends who’ve offered (“Let me know what I can do"). Ask them to bunk with you for a night or two to help with getting baby to sleep.
It’s okay to use soothing tools like sleep sacks, music, a white noise machine, or blackout curtains to help your baby to get the rest that he or she needs. Experiment with different soothing tools to see what works for your baby.
This article is written by Dr Itumeleng Buti (MBChB)
References:
1. What to Expect. What is sleep Regression? [Internet] Everyday Health Group; Colleen de Bellefonds;[ Updated 2022, January 20; Cited 2022 February 25] Available from: https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/sleep/sleep-regression/
2. The Sleeplady. Sleep Regression: When, Why, and How to Start Sleeping Again. [Internet] The Sleep Lady; Kim West; [Cited 2022, February 24] Available from: http://sleeplady.com/baby-sleep-problems/sleep-regression-just-a-phase/
3. Healthline. Why Won’t They Sleep? Dealing with the 8-Month Sleep Regression. [Internet] Healthline Media; Julia Pelly; [Updated 2019, October 19, Cited 2022 February 25] Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/8-month-sleep-regression#definition
4. Nemours Children’s Health. Separation Anxiety.[ Internet] Nemours Children’s Health; Jennifer Shroff Pendley; [Updated 2016 October, 26; Cited 2022 February 26] Available from: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sep-anxiety.html
5. Medical News Today. How to approach separation anxiety in babies. [Internet] Medical News Today; Jayne Leonard [Updated 2021, June 7; Cited 2022 February 25] Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/separation-anxiety-in-babies#causes
6. Field T. Attachment and separation in young children. Annual review of psychology. 1996 Feb;47(1):541-61.
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