If your baby or children are going through a stage where they are sleeping poorly, waking up often, or taking a long time to fall asleep, they may be experiencing a regression phase. Regression phases, or sleep regressions, are common stages in a baby's first months of life.
In today's post, we explain what baby regression phases are. We will also tell you what can be done to improve little ones' sleep during these cycles.
What are sleep regressions?
Sleep regressions or regression phases are periods in a baby's growth stage where they tend to wake up easily at night and find it harder to fall asleep or nap. In general, we notice our baby is different. They don't eat the same, aren't always in the same mood, and sometimes get angrier than usual...
Symptoms
The main symptoms or effects that parents can notice are several, although each baby is unique and may be affected in one way or another.
- Decrease in sleep in the baby. You will notice that your child does not go to bed as easily or that falling asleep becomes more difficult. Many times, they will not want to nap or will resist going to bed. Don't worry, they are most likely nervous with so much change.
- Mood swings. You may notice them irritable or in a bad mood (often because they can't get enough rest)
- The little one is more affectionate. They don't even understand what's happening, which is why they need to feel more secure and loved.
- Finally, there may be an increase in hunger during these stages. They are growing and need double energy to function.
Don't worry, it's all temporary. Baby sleep regressions can last between two and six weeks. Once that time passes, the little ones will resume their sleep routine and will sleep as before.
But why do sleep regressions occur?
A baby or newborn's body evolves very quickly. They face all kinds of changes daily, and this can affect their sleep routines. We are talking about developmental milestones.
These are behaviors that little ones begin to develop as they grow. These are skills such as crawling, walking, sitting, talking, etc., which make them more restless and nervous, leading to disruptions in their sleep hours.
There are several phases or regressions in which our little ones may experience disrupted sleep, or in which parents notice that the baby is not sleeping as usual.
Sleep regressions by age:
- 6-week regression: During this period, little ones notice big changes in themselves. It's normal for them to feel hungrier and not be able to sleep as they usually do.
- 4-month regression: Your baby's heart and biological rhythm are starting to change. It's very likely that you'll notice them more irritable or that their naps are shorter.
- 8-10 month regression: At these ages, little ones start to crawl, move on their own, and say their first words. Their first teeth may also appear. It's normal that with so much change, the baby finds it harder to relax and sleep peacefully.
- 12-month regression: This is when they start to walk. Their naps are not as long and frequent as before, so by the end of the day, they have used up all their energy.
- 18-month regression: The little one is already independent. They can move, eat, and grab things by themselves. This independence can make your child not want to go to sleep when it's time and make them more irritable than usual.
What can I do?
First of all, stay calm. As we've already mentioned, sleep regressions are very common in babies as they grow. Most likely, even your little one doesn't understand what's happening to them. These are temporary periods, lasting between 2 and 6 weeks. You will all be just as tired and sleepy. It will pass.
You can also try bathing your little one before bed to help them calm down, or reading them a book before sleep. You can feed and cuddle them more than usual. We know that when it all ends, things will go back to how they were, remember it's temporary. At Petite Marmotte we take care of your baby's sleep, so we understand that there are complicated moments in their growth stage. With our products, we guarantee their rest and yours!
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