Everything About Sleep Regression Ages Of Your Baby

The problem that parents with newborns face is getting their babies to sleep. Babies may wake up frequently at midnight, sleep late, and wake up early in the morning due to sleep regression. Sleep regression can occur in several stages. It won’t last forever. However, you should know how to handle a baby’s sleep regression. Now let’s see more. 

• What is sleep regression?

Sleep regression refers to a period when a baby who previously slept well suddenly starts waking up frequently or has trouble napping. Toddler’s sleep regressions coincide with their developmental milestones. However, this situation can be temporary. Now let’s see more details about the sleep regression of toddlers. 

• How do you know if your baby is experiencing sleep regression?

Do you notice your baby’s sleep changing? You can observe changes in the baby’s sleep patterns and behaviors to identify sleeping regression. Here are some symptoms that your baby might be experiencing sleep regression. They are,

1. Increased night waking – A baby who slept well in previous cases starts to wake up frequently.
2. Difficulty falling asleep – The baby has difficulties falling asleep and takes longer to fall asleep. 
3. Shorter naps – Your toddler may wake up earlier than usual and exhibit irregular sleep.
4. Increased fussiness – your baby becomes more irritable at bedtime.
5. Resisting sleep – Toddlers’ reluctance to go to sleep shows more separation anxiety or clinginess. 
6. New Development Milestones – Sleep regression coincides with various development milestones such as learning to crawl and walk.
7. Unusual sleeping patterns – Here, your baby may face problems waking up early in the morning or sleeping at night.

• What are the common sleep regression ages?

Toddlers tend to sleep peacefully until they are about 2 years old. At this age, children get less sleep at night. And because of sleeping difficulties, they reject sleep. It is a natural thing. However, if your baby’s sleep changes suddenly between these ages, see a doctor immediately. Now let’s see what ages of babies refuse sleep. 

Four months of sleep regression

The first four months after the baby’s birth can be tiring for parents. Sleep regression during the four months of the baby puts parents under stress. At this age, babies can wake up in three to four months. 

Timing – Around 3-4 months

Developmental changes 

• Increased awareness of surrounding
• Change in sleeping patterns 

Symptoms

• Short sleep
• Frequent waking at night
• Not sleeping without help

Six-month sleep regression 

Time – Around six months

Development changes

• Attempts to sit, roll over, and crawl
• Teething might begin

Symptoms 

• Frequent night waking
• Changes in feeding habits
• Restlessness due to new physical abilities 

Eight months of sleep regression 

Eight month period in toddlers is also the time when sleep is denied. They can be seen trying to get up and crawl. Also, sleep can be rejected due to diseases such as colds, and teething. Also when they are sleeping, their nose may be a bit tight or their gums may be throbbing due to brushing their teeth. This will delay the sleep of the babies. 

Twelve months of sleep regression 

Reasons why 12-month-old babies may experience delayed sleep include teething or learning new skills, such as standing or walking. Therefore, your child may resist going to sleep. If your child is stubborn at bedtime, give them extra safety and love. Turn off the light, turn down the volume, and read some interesting stories, until they fall asleep. Also, talk sweetly to children when they go to sleep, and give them a warm hug to calm them down. 

• How do you handle sleep regression?

You can avoid your child’s sleep regression by using different methods. For that, you can keep your baby’s room dark with the thermostat between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. As well as you can close the shutters and use the blackout curtains. Besides, 

1. Maintain a bedtime routine – Maintain a consistent bedtime routine. It will help toddlers recognize when it is time to sleep.
2. Provide comfort – You can provide reassurance and comfort without creating new sleep associations. Every time the baby wakes up, tap them without holding them to put them back to sleep. 
3. Confirms the sleep-conductive environment – Always maintain a comfortable environment to sleep. Keep your room dark, quiet, and cool. If you need a background noise cover, use suitable soft sounds. 
4. Be patient – Understanding sleep regression is temporary. Sleep regression usually lasts from two to six weeks.
5. Encourage sleep independently – Let your babies sleep alone. Then they learn to self-soothe when they wake up at night. It helps them.
6. Watch for hunger – Make sure toddlers don’t wake up at night because they are hungry. Hence, you can feed them well before sleeping. Then they will sleep well.
7. Manage developmental milestones – sometimes major developmental milestones also cause sleep regression. Therefore, you give them time to practice new skills during the day.
8. Limit stimulation before bed – Avoid stimulating activities close to bedtime. You can engage in calming activities such as reading books when the child is close to sleep.
9. Seek support – If your child’s sleep regression poses a risk to your health, see a doctor and get advice.

• When should you stop swaddling?

Swaddling is very soothing for newborns. However, it should be stopped at the necessary time. You have to stop swaddling right before 2 to 3 months. 

1. Around 2 to 4 months – Swaddling can usually be stopped when your baby is 2 months old.
2. Rolling over – Stop swaddling when your baby shows signs of trying to roll over. Attempting to roll over can be harmful. Why? There is a risk of suffocation.
3. Decreased Startle reflex – When the Moro reflex decreases, the need for swaddling decreases. It decreases to 3 to 4 months. 
4. Signs of discomfort – If your baby doesn’t like the swaddle or shows discomfort, leave swaddling.
5. Sleeplessness – If your baby has trouble sleeping in the swaddle or wakes up frequently, remove it. 

Conclusion 

Here we have provided more information about the baby’s sleep regression. You can refer to more research papers to get further details. As well as you can visit the baby’s doctor to get advice.