Generally, a baby’s sleep regression occurs between four months after birth and 8 to 12 months after birth. This sleep regression is often caused by developmental stages that occur at a toddler’s age. Now let’s see more information about baby’s sleep regression.
What is the sleep regression of a baby?
Sleep regression is when a baby who previously slept well suddenly starts waking up frequently or has difficulty falling asleep. This situation occurs due to the different stages of development of the infant. However, sleep regression is not a permanent situation.
How do you identify that your baby has sleep regression?
How can parents identify their baby has sleep regressions? These are the symptoms of sleep regressions. Notice them.
- Increased night waking – The child who slept well the previous night now wakes up frequently.
- Difficulty falling asleep – Having trouble falling asleep, even if the child falls asleep easily.
- Shorter naps – The child wakes up after a short time and does not go back to sleep. Sleep is short. Babies are waking up frequently.
- Changing in napping patterns – Toddlers who do not need to go to sleep or begin to sleep irregularly.
- Increase fussiness or irritability – The baby becomes more agitated or irritable during the day due to lack of a good night’s sleep.
- Changes in appetite – Some babies eat more or less during periods of sleep regression.
What are the common ages of sleep regression?
Sleep regression can be seen around four months, between 8 and 9 months, 12 months, and between 18 months and 24 months. During these periods, it is natural for the baby to lose sleep and you should not panic. However, if the child’s sleep changes suddenly between these ages, see a doctor.
Four months
The first four months from the birth of the baby are a very tiring period for the parents. They show sleep regression during this time. The reason behind that is your baby is suddenly awake to the world and craving your attention.
Eight months
By the time the baby is 8 months old, they are showing skills like crawling or standing up. This excites babies at different levels and induces sleep. During this time, toddlers wake up at night and try to crawl or stand up. Also, teething or cold can cause sleep deprivation at this stage. Brushing can cause their gums to pulsate. And they may have a bit of a stuffy nose during their sleep. These conditions delay the sleep of the babies.
Twelve months
By the time a child is 12 months old, many stages of development have passed. During this time, they engage in activities such as brushing their teeth, learning new skills, and standing up. Therefore, babies may resist going to sleep. Thus, they will show stubborn behaviors at bedtime. Thus, you should put extra effort into helping your baby feel safe, secure, and loved around bedtime. Likewise, you can dim the lights, turn on the low and white noise, and read some stories to get them a proper sleep.
Cuddling with babies at bedtime and reading stories in a soft tone help the baby fall asleep quickly. Also, before going to bed, talk to them about the good things of the day as well as the fun things. A sweet talk at bedtime will make your baby feel warm and more confident to wake up.
How do you handle sleep regression?
Do you want to prevent sleep regression in your baby? Here we provide different ways to avoid a baby’s sleep regression. Try them.
Maintain a consistent routine.
- Bedtime routine – Get toddlers into a calm bedtime routine. You can arrange a warm bath for babies before bed. Also, you can engage in activities such as reading a book, singing a song, etc. This will help your baby get a good night’s sleep.
- Regular Schedule – Parents can keep a consistent sleep schedule for sleep. This will help your toddler to know the correct time to go to bed.
Offer comfort and Reassurance.
- Gentle soothing – When your baby wakes up from sleep, provide comfort through gentle soothing techniques like patting, shushing, or softly singing. However, don’t do this all the time. Allow the babies to comfort and sleep alone.
Encourage self-soothing
- Teach self-soothing – Allow babies to find ways to calm themselves such as sucking on a pacifier or cuddling a favorite blanket or toy.
- Gradual withdrawal – If you have been helping the baby to sleep, gradually reduce it over time.
Stay calm and patient.
- Remain calm – Always stay calm. Babies can sense your anxiety and may find it difficult to deal with it.
- Expect setbacks – Baby’s sleep regression is temporary. Therefore, be patient until the infants pass that time.
Adjust nap time
- Age-appropriate naps – Make sure your child gets an age-appropriate nap in the afternoon. More or less sleep during the day affects sleep at night.
- Gradual changes – Do it gradually to avoid overexertion as your baby transitions from multiple naps to fewer naps.
Create sleep-friendly environment
- Dark and quiet – Keep the sleeping environment dark, quiet, and cool.
- Comfortable sleep space – You can confirm your baby’s crib or mattress is comfortable and safe to sleep.
Monitor developmental changes
- Development milestones – Sleep retardation coincides with the child’s developmental stages. Allow the child to do activities such as crawling or walking during the day.
Seek support if needed.
- Talk to a pediatrician – If sleep problems persist, consult your pediatrician to get advice.
When should you stop swaddling?
Swaddling should be stopped when the infant can roll over. By the time the bay is three months old, they should be transitioning to comfortable cots. Why should parents avoid swaddling? It can
- Overheat babies (swaddling can increase the sudden infant death syndromes )
- Potentially lead to Hip Dysplasia
- Restrict breathing
- Reduce arousal
Conclusion
Baby’s sleep regression is a temporary situation. Hence, you can manage it by following some tips. Here we have provided more tips to avoid sleep regression in babies. Follow them to arrange a comfortable sleep for babies. Read carefully.
