Maybe some moms haven’t heard of sleep regression at all?
Sleep regressions are common in babies, and they can be very frustrating for parents. These regressions happen when a baby starts sleeping better for a time and then begins to wake up more often again. Different types of sleep regressions have different causes, so it’s important to know what type your baby is experiencing. When you understand the cause of your baby’s sleep regression, you will better understand how to help them recover from it.
What is sleep regression?
A 3 month old baby (late 2 months old = early 4 months old) wakes up in the middle of the night, has trouble falling asleep, and takes a nap within 30 minutes. The whole thing is merely a typical condition called “sleep regression”.
Sleep regression occurs when a child who has been sleeping properly begins to cry at night, sleeps for short periods of time at a time, or falls asleep poorly. Sleep regression is most common in children around the ages of 3 months, 8 months, 1 year old, 1 and a half years old, and 2 years old. It varies from child to child as well, with some children experiencing sleep regression all the time, while others do not. Also, the duration varies based on the individual, but it can range anywhere from one week to one month. Sleep regression happens to infants frequently. Please be assured that your child’s sleep regression is a sign of growth even if they suddenly feel ill or cry more at night.
The 3 most common types of regressions
Here are the most common types of sleep regressions and their causes:
- Transitional: The changes in your baby’s life (such as moving or weaning) are causing their sleep to revert back to its original problem
- Separation anxiety: Your baby has gotten used to falling asleep on their own but now misses being with you.
- Illness: If your baby has a fever or an earache, they may start waking up more often because they need more attention and care
How long does the sleep regression last?
In the first two years of life, there are six sleep regression periods. ( The age is only a guide since it depends on the child’s development.)
Your baby will begin to gain an awareness of their surroundings and themselves about 3 months after birth. 3 month sleep regression can be caused by an abrupt change in their sleep schedule. Babies may have difficulty falling asleep during this stage and may wake up frequently during the night. As soon as they awaken, they will likely cry more and be fussier.
- 6 months after birth
There are some sleep problems in 6-month-olds around this age, but they don’t last for a 3 to 6-week period like other regressions.
- 8 months after birth
At this period, most babies are experiencing significant physical progress, such as learning to crawl, pull up, cruise, and etc. There is also a lot of brain development going on at this point, and your kid is accumulating language. While sleeping, babies are reviewing what they experienced when they were awake, so their brain is having difficulty resting. In addition, They have difficulty falling asleep due to a feeling of strangeness because it is around the time when milk teeth begin to grow.
- 1 year old
Sleep regression between the ages of 11 and 12 months is less common than between the ages of 4 and 8 months. If they fall asleep, they may be “too tired,” because at this time of year, some babies begin to grow stronger and stop sleeping in the morning and afternoon.
- After 1 year and 6 months after birth
Because your baby is now a toddler, they are walking, talking (babbling), and throwing tantrums. This regression is heavily influenced by your toddler’s newfound independence. They are learning, they have opinions, and they are doing other things. Separation anxiety also plays a role here, so your toddler may be really upset when you leave during nap time or even when you walk out of the room at bedtime. Teething is still an issue at 18 months.
- 2 years old
The final regression period can start as early as a year and a half, but it can also start as late as two years. The 18-month sleep regression implies that the child has matured into a self-sufficient human being. Because they have things to accomplish or engage in, they will consciously refuse to take a nap. It is crucial to take a sleep during the day, but it must be tailored to the child so that he or she does not feel unsatisfied.
What to do during the regression period
Depending on the timing, the cause and remedy may differ slightly; however, these two measures are common.
- Prepare a sleeping environment
A comfortable sleeping environment for babies is provided at room temperature of 18 to 20 ° C in the winter, 26 to 28 ° C in the summer, and humidity of 50 to 60%. Also, rather than dimming the room after sleeping, dim it an hour before going to bed.
- Take advantage of every opportunity to communicate with your baby.
Communication through playing in while bathing during the day and walking while talking will get them moderately tired, allowing them to get a good night’s sleep.
We’ll categorize the periods when sleep regression occurs and explain how to avoid it.
Measures for sleep regression in 3-4 months after birth
- Put your baby to bed before they are sleepy.
- Do not force your baby to fall asleep on his own. Begin practicing once the 3 month sleep regression period has ended.
- Do not try to force a nap, but instead take a nap on a regular basis based on your baby’s activity level (90 to 120 minutes).
- Don’t hold your baby while sleeping; instead, let them sleep on a mattress many times every day.
- Increase the time between night feedings.
- Overcome 3 month sleep regression by adopting sleep-onset routines, modifying your daily schedule, and changing the environment of the bedroom.
Measures for sleep regression in 4 to 6 months after birth
- Moms must totally become a “turning over expert” as a preventative strategy against sleep regression caused by turning over.
- If babies have turned over, don’t raise them up; instead, gently turn them over and allow them to sleep again.
- Then, make plenty of time to play in a prone position during the day to support the practice of lowering their head and turning over.
Measures for sleep regression at 8 to 10 months after birth
- To survive the sleep regression period of 8 to 10 months after delivery, it is critical to play with your baby throughout the day and before going to bed, as well as to consume their physical strength and satisfy them.
- Even if they wake up crying in the middle of the night, do not respond right away and always wait a few minutes. (Give them some time to fall asleep)
Measures for sleep regression around 1 year old
- It’s easy to sleep with breastfeeding or milk, but it seems better to practice sleeping in other ways.
- Change the length and end time of your baby’s evening sleep.
- Give baby food diligently and firmly. In order to get a good night’s sleep, it is important to feed them well during the day.
- Bringing their favorite toys, stuffed animals, and other things to sleep will provide them with a sense of security. To reduce the possibility of suffocation, it’s preferable to have only one thing, and it should be a safe one with no buttons, ribbons, batteries, or other loose pieces.
Measures for sleep regression around 2 years old
- Make time for a nap.
- Set one sleeping rule that your kid should follow.
Conclusion
It is natural for moms and dads to feel anxious when their baby doesn’t sleep. If you are concerned without realizing it, you will not understand why your child is crying, which will be difficult and burdensome for you as a parent. A baby may cry at night for a variety of reasons, including hunger, a missed nap, or wailing while sleeping. When you compare it to your baby’s developmental characteristics, you can see the causes and remedies for crying. It is tough for mothers when their children’s five senses develop, when their brain develops, when they are able to walk and get tired easily, but let us think of it as a “sign of growth.”
