Baby Sleep Regressions

November 8, 2020 Kari Ogg

YES, there are FOUR regressions to watch out for. Here’s how to help.

Hi there! I’m so - so - so excited to talk about baby sleep regressions. Even though it’s a tough period for baby and family - the general thought is that sleep regressions mean that baby is making good developmental leaps. So, during the regressions - progression is actually happening.

There are four sleep regressions

Your baby may experience all sleep regressions or maybe just a few. Generally, the four sleep regressions happen at the 4 month, 8 month, 12 month, and 18 month period. These can be tough because right when it seems like baby is making progress with sleep - a regression pops out of no where - a baby may resort back to older sleep habits.

If you are new to Sleep and the City - I’m thrilled that you are here! Welcome to one of the top-rated expert pediatric sleep agencies! I’m Lauren - the founder and celeb baby sleep expert and consultant. I’ve personally worked with thousands of families - giving them their sleep back. This is a huge passion of mine!

So, let’s dive right in to the different sleep regressions and what you can do when baby is going through them.

4 month sleep regression

At 4 months, even the best sleeping babies will experience a regression. Typically lasting 2-3 weeks, the 4 month sleep regression will cause baby to wake frequently at night and sleep less overall.

The good news is that this 4 month sleep regression is more like a progression as your baby is transitioning to a newer sleep cycle. It can be tough to see baby regressing during this stage. Different developmental milestones can contribute to this sleep regression such as learning to become more active, rolling over, absorbing language, and recognizing faces. Read more about the 4 month sleep regression.

8 month sleep regression

Now that you’ve crossed over the 4 month sleep regression, let’s chat about the 8 month sleep regression.

This regression typically lasts between 3-6 weeks, on average. Usually, the two main causes for this 8 month sleep regression are either a developmental leap or a shift in nap schedules and overall sleep needs. During this time, baby develops a lot. Babies may pull themselves up, crawl a bit, and scoot around. These major mental developmental leaps can cause sleep disturbances, including:

Needing more than two naps, but less than three
Sudden refusal to be put down drowsy but awake for naps
Shortened naps, or nap refusal
Night wakings that occur every night before midnight
Refusing to lay down for naps or bedtime

What you can do:

Make sure you’ve grabbed an updated sleep schedule (get them for free, here); your baby may now need a 2-nap schedule, or need a few more weeks of a 3-day schedule. Both have different wake windows, remember.
Try offering a 15-min catnap in place of the 3rd nap temporarily.
Try an earlier bedtime for about 1-2 weeks.
If your baby is unable to self-soothe, he/she may need some gentle sleep training. Go ahead and enroll in my Baby Sleep Academy (read more about this here) to begin a hands-on approach at your own pace.

12 month sleep regression

12 month babies are taking big leaps, literally! The number one cause for baby sleep disruption during the 12- month sleep regression is the sudden ability to WALK (assisted or unassisted). Can you imagine if your Mom put you in a crib for a nap if you suddenly learned how to fly?? I would cry too.

Babies at this age are also chatting more and more, maturing in their fine motor skills, and are beginning to follow simple guidance. As other regressions, developmental changes can cause this 12 month sleep regression. It’s a greater sense of awareness of the World and surroundings that may keep baby from falling asleep so quickly. Disturbed sleep may happen as well due to shifts in nap patterns. During this age, many babies begin to fight taking the second nap, which can lead to thinking that the second nap needs to be dropped.

What you can do:

Make sure you’ve grabbed an updated sleep schedule (get them for free, here); your baby definitely needs a 2-nap schedule.
Try extending the window between naps to 3.5-4 hours.
Try a longer and consistent naptime routine, that lasts about 10 minutes.
If your baby is unable to self-soothe, he/she may need some gentle sleep training. Go ahead and enroll in my Baby Sleep Academy (read more about this here) to begin a hands-on approach at your own pace.

Are you ready to see your baby sleep 11-12 hours at night?

18 month sleep regression

Some parents consider this regression to be the toughest. Your pre-toddler might go from sleeping just fine to super disturbed sleep with frequent night wakings. Your little one might refuse naps or refuse to sleep at all. And this regression can come on quickly. The 18 month sleep regression can last anywhere from 2 - 6 weeks. The biggest tell-tale sign of this regression: early morning wakings (about 2 hours before normally waking up) that can last over one full hour, where baby seems completely awake, and ready to play. Don’t fall for it! Also with teething chances at an all-time high, baby may wake up super uncomfortable while teething.

What you can do:

Make sure you’ve grabbed an updated sleep schedule (get them for free, here); your baby definitely needs a 1-nap schedule.
Try an earlier bedtime for the first 4 weeks after you drop the morning nap. See my “bridge schedule” example in the Baby Sleep Academy class if you have it.
Practice patience stretching. This means putting away the dishes for example out of baby’s eyesight for even a minute.
Talk with your doctor about OTC teething pain solutions.
If your baby is unable to self-soothe, he/she may need some gentle sleep training. Go ahead and enroll in my Baby Sleep Academy (read more about this here) to begin a hands-on approach at your own pace.

MORE TIPS TO SURVIVE THESE sleep regressions:

Your baby most likely has sleep associations (meaning baby needs certain things to fall back to sleep). Some sleep associations are great and others require a physical touch. The big point here is to slowly break or cut back on those sleep associations that require you to be there such as (rocking or nursing to sleep).

Changes to the nursery or room is a must as well. Black out the nursery, use a sound machine, and adjust the temperature to ensure an optimal sleep environment.

Routines are so important. Sometimes when life happens, we have no choice to flex from the routines, but if you can - try to keep routines as best as possible. This will really help!

Give baby time to practice these changes. Depending on age, your baby will try to master new skills, which takes time. Try as best as you can to have patience during these regressions and don’t do it alone. Grab our sleep guides and book your sleep consultation with me for tons of education and support.