Sleep Regression in Babies

Introduction:

Sleep regression occurs when babies who previously faced no issues with sleep, sleeping for longer durations, or settling well suddenly experience wakeful nights and have difficulty sleeping. Sleep regression can be difficult for parents since waking is not related to basic needs and instead is related to the baby’s developmental changes in sleep cycles. However, sleep regression does not last forever, and alterations in sleep patterns will gradually resolve.

How Much Sleep Do Babies Usually Require?

Since sleep is a developmental process linked with brain growth, babies’ sleep requirements may vary depending on their age. Sleep requirements and the ability to fall asleep easily in babies are governed by their homeostatic sleep pressure. This pressure exists in both babies and adults and accumulates when being awake, creating the feeling of tiredness. This pressure decreases while sleeping, enabling one to stay awake for a longer period of time.

Newborn babies need approximately 16 hours of sleep that is split uniformly between daytime and nighttime. This gradually decreases as babies get older, and there will be more nighttime sleep until two years, where total infant sleep of 13 hours will be split between 11 hours in the night and 2 hours in the morning.

Newborn babies do not tend to sleep at a stretch for eight to nine hours but rather take several short one to two-hour naps at a time. This erratic pattern of short sleep periods is due to the lack of a circadian rhythm in babies and also due to differences in sleep cycles when compared to adults.

What Are the Stages of Sleep Regression in Infants?

Sleep specialists believe that there are approximately six stages of sleep regression at different ages, namely at:

• Four months.

• Six months.

• Eight months.

• 12 months.

• 18 months.

• Two years.

Sleep regressions at various stages are linked with various developmental milestones like crawling, learning to sit up, walking, and so on. Other reasons include big life changes, separation anxiety, and a desire for independence. At times, an infant may be suffering from sleep disruption rather than sleep regression due to teething, growing pains, reflux, and hunger. Also, a baby might have difficulty falling and staying asleep since they might not have solid sleeping habits.

What Are the Causes of Sleep Regression in Babies?

Numerous factors can cause discomfort in babies, making them anxious or restless, which results in sleep regression. A few factors are as follows:

• Teething pain.

• Growth spurt.

• Attaining a new developmental milestone.

• An illness like a cold or an ear infection.

• Alterations in routines.

• Traveling, which involves sleeping in a new environment.

Sleep regressions in babies usually last for about two to four weeks. This timeframe is required for babies to get accustomed to their new milestones or routines or to recover from an illness. However, the exact duration can depend on the cause and can differ with each baby.

What Are the Signs of Sleep Regression in Infants?

The signs of sleep regression can differ based on the cause of the infant’s sleep problems. The following are a few signs of sleep regression in babies:

• More frequent waking at nighttime.

• Sudden resistance to naps.

• Difficulty falling asleep at bedtime.

• Increased crankiness or fussiness.

• Alterations in appetite.

When Do Sleep Regressions Occur?

Sleep regressions can occur at any time when the baby goes through an intense developmental phase. There are certain predictable ages at which sleep regressions can occur. These are as follows:

• Four Months: In this stage, the baby makes a transition from their newborn sleep patterns, and their biology of sleep tends to change.

• Six Months: At around six months of age, the baby experiences rapid development and acquires new abilities and awareness. Teething at this age may also cause changes in sleep patterns.

• Eight Months: Since emotional development occurs at this stage, the baby may experience separation anxiety, which can result in changes in sleeping habits.

• 12 Months: Increased activity and awareness of surroundings can result in restlessness when the baby is asleep.

• 18 Months: An increased sense of independence and excitement to test boundaries can result in bedtime refusal.

How Can Sleep Regressions in Babies Be Managed?

Parents need to be patient when babies go through sleep regression. During this phase, the baby finds it challenging to fall and stay asleep. Sleep regression in babies can be managed in the following ways:

• Maintaining a Routine: Even if the baby is not ready for bed at the normal time, the usual bedtime routine has to be followed. The baby will get accustomed to it by developing a familiarity with the routine. This holds good for nap time routines as well.

• Pause Before Responding: If the baby cries when the parents lay them down or in the middle of the night, then the parent should not respond instantaneously. The infant must be given a few minutes to self-soothe and observe if they fall back to sleep on their own. In case the parent gets up to hold the baby, they must stay in a dark room so that the baby will get to know that it is still nighttime and not playtime. Carrying the baby at night to another room, such as the room where they usually play, might confuse them.

• Providing Comfort: At times, despite trying everything, the baby might still be crying. The baby might not be sure about how they feel. Holding the baby and letting them know that the parent is there for them will provide the needed comfort and reassurance.

• Watch Out for the Sleep Cues: Certain cues like rubbing the eyes, yawning, being fussy, and looking away are certain indicators that the baby is feeling sleepy. Hence, the baby can be put to sleep before they are overtired so that it will be easy for them to fall and stay asleep.

• Sufficient Sleep During the Day: Parents must ensure that the babies sleep sufficiently during the day so that they do not get overtired at night. Overtired babies might have issues sleeping at night.

• Feeding the Baby Well During the Day: It must be ensured that the baby eats sufficiently during the day so that they do not feel hungry at night or midway through a nap. Feeding the baby about 15 minutes prior to bedtime can help make a baby feel sleepy.

• Creating a Soothing Atmosphere: Overstimulating babies before bedtime with energetic play or screen time should be avoided. Instead, a soothing sleeping atmosphere should be created by reading a book or singing a song softly. The bedroom should have minimal light and visual distractions. On the contrary, during the day, the baby must be made to understand that it is daytime and that they should stay awake. This can be done through interaction and playtime.

Conclusion:

A sleep regression is a sudden change in an infant’s sleeping pattern, and many infants go through several stages of sleep regression during the first two years of their life. Usually, these sleep regressions are linked to the baby’s developmental changes, though they may be influenced by other factors like teething, separation anxiety, and so on. Sleep regressions usually stop after around two years of age. In case the baby does not seem to get over the sleep regression hump or if something does not seem to be right, then the parent can consult a pediatrician (an expert who treats children).