Introduction
Sleep regression is a very common issue for parents of young children. Typically, sleep regression happens at different stages. You’ll notice your baby has learned to roll over, sit up, walk or crawl and suddenly begins waking up in the night or napping less than usual. This can be very frustrating, especially when you are trying to get back into a sleep routine.
While it’s common for your baby’s sleep to change during this stage of development, it doesn’t mean that there is something wrong with your child or that you aren’t doing everything right.
These changes are normal and can be caused by growing pains in their little bodies or even teething pain. However, if you’re having trouble getting your child back on track or they’re waking frequently throughout the night, there may be something else going on that requires medical attention. In this post, we’ll cover what sleep regression looks like at different ages so that you know what’s normal for your child’s development stage!
Sleep regression can happen at any age
You may be thinking, “My child is an angel and sleeps through the night.” Or even worse: “Oh great! My baby is sleeping through the night. I’m sure this will last forever.”
If only it were so simple. The truth is that all babies go through sleep regressions at some point in their lives. There are different sleep regression stages. Some kids have several regressions before they are 18 months old, while others go through just one or two big ones during their first year of life. If a child has trouble sleeping at 2 months old, how can we expect them not to have problems at 3 or 4 months old? It’s just part of being human—and being a baby!
There are many reasons why your darling little angel might begin having difficulty getting back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night (or day). In addition to teething pain or growth spurts that cause discomfort, sometimes children just need some time alone with Mommy and Daddy (or Mimi!).
They also might have learned new skills that require more attention from you than before; for example, crawling around on cold floors after being tucked into bed all cozy and warm could keep them from wanting to go back down into their cribs until morning! While these situations may seem frustrating for both parents and children alike, try not to let it get too out of hand by trying these tips:
6-8 months
At this age, your baby is likely to display the following behaviors:
- Teething
- Rolling over (usually from belly to back)
- Sitting up, but still needs help with balance when sitting
- Crawling or scooting on hands and knees, pulling yourself up to stand, taking a few steps while holding onto something for support
- Walking with assistance. They can walk alone for short distances when holding your hand or walking close to you in a stroller/baby carrier before they are 1 year old
3-6 months
If your baby is 3 to 6 months old, you may notice that she’s waking up more frequently and earlier in the night. She may also be waking up earlier in the morning, or waking up more often during the day. This is a sign of sleep regression and means you should try these tips to help your little one get back into her normal sleep schedule:
- Keep it dark. When your baby wakes up at night, make sure she can’t see any light coming from under the door so that she doesn’t think it’s daytime yet. If there are streetlights outside or other lights on inside, close those blinds or curtains! (Just remember not to block out all sources of light completely.)
- Have a predictable routine before bedtime—and stick with it! Make sure everyone follows this same routine every single day so that everyone knows what comes next when getting ready for bed–it’ll make things easier for everyone involved. Remember consistency = success!
15-18 months
15-18 months is a very busy age for toddlers. They are learning to walk and talk, there is a lot of change and transition in this age group, they are learning to be independent, socialize and take care of themselves.
4-5 years
4-5 year old children are in the process of developing their social skills, and they’re starting to understand and respect the rules. They are also learning how to control their emotions. This can be a difficult time for parents and children as they adjust to these changes.
You may notice that your child is becoming more aware of what’s going on around him or her, which may result in your child becoming more upset when things don’t go his way. Your child will also start showing more independence by wanting to do things on his own and being resistant when you try to help him out with something he doesn’t want help with yet (e.g., dressing himself).
7+
At the age of 7, children are considered to be in a stage of development called “pre-adolescence”. This means that they are poised to transition into adolescence. During this time, children become more independent and want autonomy over their lives. They do not like being treated as small children anymore; instead, they want to be treated like adults.
This transition into more mature behaviour is common for most kids around this age group but can cause some issues when it comes time for bedtime! Younger kids have been used to being babied by parents who allow them to eat constantly throughout the day and take up all their time during nap times or at night with stories or games before bedtime. However, because 7-year-olds are now becoming more independent and less dependent on their parents’ help with daily activities such as hygiene maintenance (i.e., brushing teeth), they may find it difficult getting ready for bed without assistance from Mommy or Daddy.*
Conclusion
Now that you know what kinds of sleep regression are common for kids in each age, you can prepare for it and help your child get through it. In most cases, there are things parents can do to make the process easier on both themselves and their children.
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