Baby Sleep Regressions

Baby sleep regressions can be very challenging. In this Blog Post you`ll learn why baby sleep regressions happen in babies, what the signs are, when they occur, and how to handle them.

What is a Baby sleep regression?

A baby sleep regression affects your baby’s sleep. Parents often tell me that their child’s sleep has worsened since the 4th, 9th, 12th, or 18th month: „Up until the 3rd/4th month, everything was fine. Our baby would only wake up twice at night for feedings, and suddenly she’s waking up after 30 minutes during the day and wanting to drink more at night, so we’re back to 4 bottles.“

There are a total of 5 sleep regressions in the first two years of life. In reality, there is only one true sleep regression, the 4-month sleep regression; the other regressions are more like developmental leaps that also affect your baby’s sleep.

Don’t worry, though. The regression is actually a progression, because your baby is constantly learning new things and making developmental strides.

How does Baby sleep regressions manifest?

A baby sleep regression, or regressions, are noticeable when your baby has more difficulty falling asleep, protests more intensely when being put to bed, sleeps only for short periods, and wakes up more frequently during the night. Additionally, your baby’s appetite and metabolism may change, and it’s not uncommon for your baby to learn a new skill, such as a motor skill, during this time.

How long does a Baby sleep regression last?

Sleep regressions vary from baby to baby, just like most developmental milestones. The intensity can differ, as can the duration. Anything between 2 and 6 weeks is possible.

When does Baby sleep regressions occur?

Sleep regressions typically occur at the following ages: the 4th month, around the 8th/9th month, around the 12th month, and around the 18th and 24th months.

Each regression affects your baby’s or toddler’s sleep differently and is accompanied by new learning phases.

The 4-month sleep regression

The 4-month sleep regression is the only scientifically proven sleep regression. Your child’s sleep patterns change fundamentally, becoming cyclical and more similar to adult sleep. This also marks the official end of the newborn phase.

Newborns combine two sleep phases: they spend 50% of their time in deep sleep and 50% in REM (dream) sleep. The 4-month sleep regression changes this by making sleep cyclical and, unfortunately, introducing four additional light sleep phases.

A sleep cycle for a 4-month-old baby lasts only about 30-40 minutes, whereas an adult sleep cycle lasts 90-120 minutes, meaning our sleep phases are much longer.

The 9-month sleep regression

Your baby used to go to bed easily, perhaps sleep for longer stretches at night, and happily explore the world during the day. But suddenly, the 9-month sleep regression shows up in the following ways:

➡️ More frequent nighttime awakenings
➡️ Fussy behavior
➡️ Shorter daytime naps
➡️ Increased appetite

During a regression, parents often feel like their baby is taking one step forward and two steps back in their development. Always remember, your baby isn’t regressing; rather, they are constantly learning more. So, it’s not really a regression, but a progression, and it’s all about handling these phases appropriately!

What causes sleep issues in a 9-month-old baby?

At this stage, gross motor skills are the focus. Your baby is practicing crawling or scooting and pulling up on objects. They are also learning to recognize sequences in routines and can differentiate people from objects. This can lead to separation anxiety, which impacts sleep patterns. The brain is particularly active during this phase, making it harder for your baby to relax and sleep through the night.

The 12-month sleep regression

The 12-month sleep regression often manifests as changes in daytime nap schedules, resistance in the form of intense crying when being put to bed, and more restless nights.

Many parents may think it’s time to drop to just one nap a day, but I advise against it, as this is usually too early.

Physical and cognitive development:

As your baby grows and develops, they may experience new milestones like walking, talking, and teething, all of which can disrupt their sleep rhythm.

Additionally, your baby may become more aware of their surroundings and feel separation anxiety when you leave the room, making it harder for them to fall asleep.

Changes in daily routines, such as moving or starting daycare, can also disrupt your baby’s sleep schedule.

The sleep regression around the 18th & 24th month of life

Congratulations! You now officially have a toddler, and you’ve entered the developmental stage of Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt according to Erikson.

The sleep regression can now become quite a challenge for you if you lack clarity on how to handle toddlers in a developmentally appropriate way from a psychological perspective.

For your child, everything now seems more exciting and stimulating than sleeping, and the protest and resistance will likely intensify.

I strongly advise against transitioning to a floor bed or toddler bed at this stage. Instead, keep your crib for a few more years. Why? You can read more about it here.

What can I do in the event of sleep regression?

I’ve experienced that babies going through a sleep regression are often in a particularly „learning-sensitive-willing phase.“

Call me crazy, but I think it’s a great and perfectly logical time to seek sleep advice when your child is experiencing a sleep regression! This is exactly when your baby’s brain is being reprogrammed, which is often the reason why sleep problems arise during regressions. During this phase, your baby has the opportunity to learn:

a) „I can no longer fall back to sleep on my own—I need to be carried/nursed.“

b) „My parents lovingly give me the confidence that I can fall asleep and stay asleep on my own. Well, if Mom thinks so… 😉“

So, what can you do?

In general, you can try the following:

Review wake windows
Stick to routines for security
Make sure hunger is satisfied during the day
Meet your baby’s need for closeness during the day
Educate yourself—your baby isn’t forgetting how to sleep if you support them
Practice independent falling asleep

If the signs mentioned above have been challenging you for several months, it’s likely more of an overall sleep issue. However, even if you’ve fallen into habits like constant nursing to sleep or Dad being unable to put the baby to bed due to a sleep regression, you don’t have to continue down that path. If nothing changes, nothing will improve. Consider looking into a baby or toddler sleep consultation to help address these issues.