Published : 2024-09-28

Sleep regression in babies : what to do ?

- Categories : Baby Sleep

IN THIS ARTICLE :

Why Do Babies Go Through Sleep Regressions?
How to Identify a Sleep Regression
Key Sleep Regression Phases Explained
How to Support Your Baby During a Sleep Regression

You were finally feeling reassured—your little one was sleeping peacefully at last!

But suddenly, your baby starts crying whenever it's time to sleep, wakes up multiple times during the night, and naps are getting shorter and shorter.

If everything had been going smoothly until now, there’s a good chance your baby is going through a phase of “sleep regression.”

These phases are completely normal—your baby is simply adjusting to changes, either in their environment or in their own development.

Your little one is growing —and that can be a bumpy ride. These sleep regression phases vary in length, but they typically last between 5 and 15 days.

So how can you spot the signs of a sleep regression ? And how can you respond to help your baby get back into a healthy rhythm? Let’s explore this together in the rest of the article.

Why Do Babies Go Through Sleep Regressions?

A sleep regression can be triggered by two main factors:

😓 A change in your baby’s environment Has your little one been sick recently? Has there been a major change in their daily life (moving house, a new caregiver, grandparents visiting for an extended stay, etc.)?

During their first year, babies need consistency and predictability to feel secure—and to learn. That includes learning how to sleep!

Even the slightest disruption can have a big impact. When the “rules” change, your baby doesn’t understand. They need time to adapt, which often leads to a sleep regression.

Family changes, illness, or routine shifts can all cause short adjustment periods where your baby struggles to fall or stay asleep.

😓 Your baby is sensing changes in their body Within their first 24 months, your little one has to learn how to sleep, how to walk, how to talk—and so much more.

That’s a lot for their developing brain, which works overtime at night to process and store everything they’re learning.
This is what we call a physiological sleep regression.

These types of regressions are actually more common than those caused by environmental changes, and they tend to happen around the same developmental milestones. Your baby needs support to get through them!

How to Identify a Sleep Regression

When it comes to spotting a sleep regression, the key word is disruption. Your baby was sleeping well—and suddenly, everything that felt stable is thrown off:

Your baby cries at bedtime
Frequent night wakings become the norm
Your baby is fussier during the day or needs more attention than usual
Naps become shorter
Your baby shows an increase in appetite
In short, your baby’s sleep rhythm is completely disrupted

Key Sleep Regression Phases and What They Mean

Here are the most common times when a sleep regression may occur in babies.

Keep in mind that it's very rare for a baby to experience every single regression phase! On average, each phase can last between 5 and 15 days.

🌃 Discovering the Day/Night Rhythm Age: 4–6 months This is the stage when your baby’s sleep patterns begin to shift.

Until now, your baby likely slept and woke according to their own needs—mostly for feeding—but now they start to recognize the difference between day and night, just like adults do.

The very structure of their sleep begins to change, gradually taking on an adult-like pattern (REM sleep, light non-REM, deep non-REM).

It might not seem like much, but this is a huge milestone for your baby! Their sleep needs also change, and they become more sensitive to noise and light. Growing up isn’t easy!

This new learning phase often comes with emotional changes too—your baby doesn’t want to be separated from you at night.

It’s extremely common for a 4-month-old to experience a difficult sleep phase during this time. And it can be even more challenging as it often coincides with parents returning to work.

😨 Separation Anxiety Age: 8–10 months This is when separation anxiety can start interfering with your baby’s sleep.

When you leave the room, your little one might believe you’re not coming back. They’re learning to become more independent and to understand that you’re never truly far away.

This is a very important stage in your baby’s emotional development. It helps them realize they are their own person—and that they can’t always be with Mommy.

At the same time, your baby is developing new motor skills. They may be moving around in the crib or learning to sit up—activities that can easily disrupt sleep.

🤓 Learning to Move & Communicate Age: 12 months and up As your baby grows, more milestones can start to disrupt their sleep.

Learning to walk (around 10–12 months), language development (around 18 months), and discovering their own personality—especially the “no” phase (around age 2)—can all trigger sleep regressions.

If your little one is sleeping poorly, don’t panic. Ask yourself whether they might be going through a developmental leap—learning something new about the world or themselves.

Growing takes a lot of energy!

Each stage is a major milestone. What seems like a small step to us can be a massive effort for your baby. Understanding this makes it easier to see why sleep gets disrupted during these times.

🚽 Potty Training Age: Between 1 and 3 years Potty training is a demanding process, both physically and emotionally. Your child not only needs to gain control over their body, but also adjust to new expectations and responsibilities.

These new challenges can lead to sleep disruptions, such as night wakings or trouble falling asleep. Gaining control over their bladder and bowels requires intense focus and can sometimes cause anxiety, which often shows up as changes in sleep patterns.

👧 The 2-Year-Old Crisis! Age: Between 2 and 3 years This is the stage most parents dread! It’s so well-known that the expression “the terrible twos” has become part of everyday language.

At this age, your little one begins to explore the range and intensity of their emotions. It feels like a real storm brewing inside them!

Even we, as adults, sometimes struggle to manage our emotions—so for a two-year-old, it’s completely overwhelming.

Spotting this stage is easy: your child’s emotions are turned up to the max. A simple outing becomes pure excitement, while the tiniest frustration can lead to tears.

Managing frustration becomes especially difficult, often leading to challenging situations. A toddler, caught in a swirl of colors and feelings at the store, may have a full-blown meltdown in the aisle. It’s not necessarily a tantrum—it’s simply their way of coping with stress from emotions they can’t yet fully understand!

How to Support Your Baby During Sleep Regressions

Sleep is a long learning process. Sleeping well doesn’t come automatically—it’s something your baby has to learn over time.

Sleep regressions are a completely normal part of your baby’s development.

In fact, they’re often a good sign—as long as they don’t last too long!

To help your baby through these tough phases—which are just as challenging for you—here are some helpful tips:

⏰ The #1 Rule: CONSIST-EN-CY Sleep is essential during all sleep regression phases your baby may experience.

It’s during the night that your baby’s brain processes and consolidates all the learning that happens during the day!

Sleep regressions often go hand-in-hand with major developmental leaps—like learning to move, speak, or better understand their surroundings.

To navigate these changes, your baby needs plenty of energy. A good-quality sleep, supported by regular routines and soothing bedtime rituals, is key to helping them fully absorb and retain these new skills.

Lack of sleep can quickly lead to sleep debt, affecting your baby’s mood, behavior, and even slowing down their development.

The 4-month sleep regression is especially significant—it’s a crucial milestone in your baby’s sleep journey. Around this age, your baby begins to distinguish between night and day. Up until now, sleep was made up of ultradian cycles—short, evenly spaced throughout the day and night. Shifting to a day/night rhythm is a foundational learning moment, and it’s often the first sleep regression parents encounter.

By introducing consistent routines and set sleep times during this stage, you help your baby adjust more easily and return to restful sleep—vital for adapting to their new rhythm.

💤 Give Them Clear Cues: Talk It Through! Your baby needs your help to make sense of the world around them.

They also need you to show them that you’re proud of the progress they’re making—and that you believe in them!

Don’t hesitate to reassure them by saying you’re close by, that you’re there if they need you, and that they’re never alone.

🧐 Support Their Learning It’s important to know that this challenging sleep phase often ends once the new skill has been fully mastered.

So don’t hesitate to give your baby a little extra support to help them understand what’s happening and feel more confident.

For example:

– To help build independence and reduce separation anxiety, play simple games like peekaboo. Your baby learns that even if they can’t see you, you’re still nearby!
– To support physical development, give your baby plenty of floor time to move freely and practice. Encourage them to take those first steps!
– To teach the difference between day and night, make sure daytime naps happen in a relatively bright environment. In contrast, after 7:00 PM, dim the lights and speak in softer tones. This helps your baby gradually recognize the cues that signal day versus night.

🧏‍♀️ Listen and Comfort These phases are tough on your baby. They’re not doing it on purpose!

Even though sleep regressions can disrupt the whole family’s routine, they’re only temporary. These moments are essential for your little one’s development and are clear signs that they’re reaching new milestones.

By showing them love and support, and by being patient and attentive, you’re helping them thrive—and strengthening the precious bond you share.

😵‍💫 Avoid Changing the Routine As we’ve seen, these learning phases often come with sleep challenges.

It can be tempting to change your baby’s routine in hopes of comforting them. While being present and showering them with love is essential, making big changes is best avoided.

Babies are highly sensitive to what’s happening around them. Introducing a new bedtime ritual or sleep environment may simply add more work for them to adjust.

If your child is used to falling asleep on their own, there’s no need to pick them up every time. Stay nearby and offer gentle reassurance instead.

This will also help you avoid a second adjustment period once the sleep regression ends and you return to your usual routine.

🌃 Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment Finally, it’s always worth checking that everything is in place to help your baby get a good night’s sleep. As your little one grows, their sleep needs evolve too! What worked a few weeks ago may no longer be ideal today.

Take a look around your baby’s room and remove anything that could disrupt their sleep.

Check the room temperature (ideally between 18°C and 20°C).
Make sure it’s completely dark at bedtime!

Also, check that the bedding is suitable for your baby’s age and needs.

If your little one is old enough, involve them in making small choices to feel more comfortable in their space (for example: choosing the color of their nightlight or where their favorite stuffed animal goes).

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