Sleep Regressions

Sleep regressions. Two words to put fear in any parent! These challenging periods are often a big reason Mum’s and Dad’s reach out to me for sleep support during their little one’s first year or so.

Sleep regressions are defined as a period of time, usually around 2-4 weeks when a baby who’s sleeping well suddenly has trouble settling down for sleep or wakes up fussing in the middle of the night. You are probably wondering, why?!

They largely occur during a period of developmental change or growth for a baby. Here are a few of the most common ones we see and some reasons that drive them.

🌟 6 weeks – The beginning of daytime sleep cycles

🌟 4 months – The beginning of night time sleep cycles or baby learning to roll

🌟 6 months – Due to a growth spurt that occurs around this time

🌟 8-10 months – Babies are learning to crawl, pull themselves up, and move more. Separation anxiety also begins

🌟 18 months – Generally happens due to separation anxiety and teething (molars, ouch!)

Sleep regressions don’t have to mean the end of good sleep. With time and consistency, you can get through and back to the routines your baby had before. Remember that how a baby falls asleep is how they will want to resettle. With this in mind, you can gently encourage independent sleeping with a settling method that suits your values and your baby’s temperament.

If your baby is unwell and suffering from congestion, using a nasal aspirator such as Snotty Noses - Official Home Of Snotty Boss | Baby Health & Sleep Products may help you get through the worst of it!