Baby sleep regression is a common phase where babies suddenly have trouble sleeping. Understanding the causes and solutions can help make this period easier.
Sleep regression occurs when a baby who previously had no issue sleeping starts having difficulties calming down for sleep.
You thought your kid was sleep-trained, but now they can’t sleep for significant periods. It’s frustrating when a good sleeper wakes up wailing in the middle of the night.
Do you have a case of sleep regression? Here are the reasons for this unwelcome turn of events and what you can do to help your baby sleep better again.
What causes baby sleep regression?
Several factors can cause baby discomfort, or make them restless, leading to sleep regression.
The factors include:
- Teething pain – when your baby’s little teeth start to emerge, they cause discomfort that may disrupt the baby’s nighttime rest.
- Disruption of routines – like starting daycare
- Traveling – sleeping in a new environment may cause anxiety and discomfort.
- Illness, such as a cold
- Reaching a new developmental milestone such as crawling/walking.
- Growth spurt – this can make a baby extra hungry, and the baby wakes up more often to demand feeding.
- Separation anxiety- parents going back to work after maternity leave.
Signs of sleep regression
Signs of sleep regression may vary depending on the cause of your baby’s sleeping problems. Some signs may include
- Increased fussiness and crying
- Frequent night waking
- Trouble falling asleep at bedtime
- Resistance to naps
Solutions to sleep regression
- Does your little one practice new milestones at night? The baby’s efforts to master a new skill can significantly disrupt their sleep patterns. The excitement that comes with achieving a milestone may lead to sleep regression.
Do you want your baby to have long stretches of slumber at night? Help them practice the new skill during the day. Reduce the time your baby spends on strollers, baby walkers, or car seats. Let your baby move around a lot and freely. When they are stuck in one position and can’t figure it out, help them but don’t linger. You want this to be something other than a game.
- Babies, particularly those under one year old, don’t comprehend the concept of you leaving temporarily, but they trust that you’ll always come back. Thus, they can panic when they wake up at night and find that you are not there. This mostly happens if you were there when they dozed off.
Does your child wake up fussing in the middle of the night? What happens when you pick them up? Playful all of a sudden!? Yes, they might have just missed you. Don’t follow their lead and start socializing. Don’t turn the middle of the night into a fun time. Soothe them back to sleep and reassure them that you are there.
- How do you manage your baby’s naptime schedule? Your baby will need fewer naps as they get older. These changes can affect their overnight schedule. If the naps are too close to bedtime, they may not be sleepy when you think they are. If the naps are for a short stretch your baby can be over-tired. These two scenarios can make your little one more likely to wake up in the middle of the night.
If your baby’s sleeping routine has changed, figure out whether to adjust bedtime or shift nap times. Gauge if your baby is getting enough quality sleep. If they are clingy and uncomfortable, they might have given up the nap too soon or they need to go to bed earlier.
- Illness, teething and travel can disrupt your baby’s sleeping schedule. Sleep deprivation even for 60 minutes each night can cause sleep regression. Give your baby a few days to return to the usual sleeping routine. If he continues to wake up 3 days post illness or vacation, give a sleep training refresher. It is important to keep a sleeping routine intact even when you are away from home. If it’s always a story before bed, keep that ritual as much as possible.
Teething pain, disturbance of habits, illness, reaching a new developmental milestone, growth spurt, and separation anxiety are all causes of sleep regression. Assure your infant that you are present and regulate their naptime schedule to avoid them waking up in the middle of the night.
Above all, be patient, as it won’t get better overnight. But if you are consistent, your baby should be able to take back naptime and bedtime schedule in one or two weeks.