The time when an infant or toddler suffers a change in their sleeping pattern at different ages is referred to as sleep regression ages. Actually, sleep regression is progression, your baby’s sleep patterns change as they grow.
Most frequently, sleep regression occurs during times of transition or turmoil. While this can occur at any moment throughout a baby’s brief life due to outside factors, it usually occurs at one of the following four sleep regression ages.
Sleep regression symptoms frequently include:
- Battling against naps or bedtime
- Having trouble getting to sleep
- Reducing the length of naps or skipping them
- Waking up a lot at night
- Crying and fusing
3 Month Sleep Regression
Babies’ fluctuating sleep needs are among the main causes of the sleep regression that occurs around the 3 month sleep regression. Newborns require 14–17 hours of sleep per night after birth. However, as babies become older, their sleep requirements adjust to accommodate fewer naps and longer wake times.
4 Month Sleep Regression
Even though they appeared to be wonderful sleepers up until this point, our babies can start to have trouble with sleep at the age of 3 to 4 months. Babies transition from the newborn sleep phases into more adult-like sleep stages at the four-month mark.
Let me explain why this is problematic. Sleep cycles are a group of adult-like sleep stages. These cycles last between 60 and 120 minutes at night. Your baby’s body will enter a light stage of sleep and frequently become somewhat awakened after each sleep cycle. He will check on his surroundings to make sure everything is in order and nothing has changed.
Some infants struggle greatly with even minor awakening. These infants typically nodded off while being rocked held by their parents, or at the breast. Let’s run that situation through: maybe your baby dozed off while in your arms and was then placed in the bassinet while you were both sound asleep. Approximately 60, 90, or 120 minutes later, she will awaken and assess her surroundings. 4 month sleep regression symptoms include:
- Alterations to nap schedules
- Waking up more often at night
- Having problems sleeping back to sleep
In general, the 4 month sleep regression is less of regression and more of the start of a baby’s sleep pattern changing permanently. This regression often serves as a stepping stone into more mature sleeping patterns since about this time, babies start sleeping less like infants and more like adults.
6 Month Sleep Regression
The 6 month sleep regression is a topic of discussion, particularly if it genuinely exists. Some contend that sleep issues at this age do not last for long enough to be considered true sleep regressions.
Babies of this age typically awaken at night because they are hungry. Perhaps they are breastfed and still require a night feeding, or perhaps they need to refuel after burning calories while honing their scooting, crawling, and sitting up techniques.
However, despite acknowledging that it is temporary regression, some people assert that the 6-month sleep regression is a real regression. These experts also include the development of new talents, toothache, and separation anxiety on the list of factors.
The symptoms are the same regardless of language or logic:
- Nighttime awakenings
- Fussiness
- Longer daytime naps
7 Month Sleep Regression
It is likely that you have already had at least one sleep regression by the time your child is seven months old. Even though information on sleep regressions at six and eight months is more widespread, one might still occur at seven months. This is due to the fact that, like most other aspects of their development, there is no set timeframe for babies’ sleep progressions and regressions and that it might vary from kid to child.
Your infant may exhibit the same symptoms of a 7 month sleep regression as they did during their prior regression period:
- Being more fussy than normal
- Waking up more often at night and having trouble falling back asleep
- Alterations in appetite
- Fewer than typical naps, or disaster naps (which are less than 45 minutes)
8 Month Sleep Regression
Because it can occur at any time during the 8 to 10 month age range, this period is also known as the 8 month sleep regression.
Similar to most sleep regressions, this one appears to be accompanied by development changes like learning to stand or crawl.
Additionally, between the ages of 8 to 12 months, some infants develop their central incisor teeth, which may be a factor in this insomnia. Anyone who is worried about teething should consult a physician.
9 Month Sleep Regression
At nine months old, the baby can start to have trouble sleeping through the night after several months of sound slumber. Other indications of 9 month sleep regression include:
- Taking longer to fall asleep again
- Abruptly refusing naps
- Fussiness
- Crankiness
- Heightened crying
- Several night awakenings
- Difficulty falling asleep
10 Month Sleep Regression
It is a progression phase. They just no longer want to sleep during it because they are too preoccupied with honing their new abilities. The 10 month sleep regression indicates that the child is learning, developing, and growing. Although it is taxing, we assure you that it is for the best. Furthermore, it only lasts for two to six weeks.
Physical changes are partly to blame for the 10 month sleep setback. First of all, your infant is starting to move around more and maybe pulling themselves up or attempting to walk.
They can hold objects, reach for objects, and so forth. They are therefore expending far more energy honing this new talent. Additionally, research indicates that your child is beginning to understand the idea of item permanence. They are aware that even if something is out of their line of sight, it is still there. Knowing object permanence causes separation anxiety, which may result in their having trouble falling asleep without you.
It lasts between two and six weeks, just like other sleep regression ages. If your child is currently experiencing one, remember that it will pass and that you will emerge on the other side.
12 Month Sleep Regression
A change in a baby’s sleep routine that takes place around the time they become one year old is known as 12 month sleep regression. Regression in sleep can seem to occur suddenly. A baby might develop bad sleep habits that cause grumpiness, fussiness, and sleep deprivation even after persistent sleep training.
A 12-month-old toddler’s sleep patterns may change, and they may wake up frequently at night, take erratic naps, or act fussy when they are awake. Such behavior is normal, and understanding how to deal with your toddler’s temporary sleep issues may help you establish more effective nap and bedtime routines.
A young child’s ability to fall asleep for days or even weeks might be affected by a real sleep regression, which normally entails at least three days of continuous behavioral changes. You might be able to better predict future changes to your one-year-sleep old patterns by discussing the changes with your child’s doctor or a sleep specialist.
Sleep regression is brought on by a baby’s rapid development throughout the first year of life. At this age, infants experience growth spurts, rapid brain development, and almost daily skill acquisition. As a result, the baby is encouraged to develop and alter, which affects how the baby sleeps.
15 Month Sleep Regression
The disruption in your toddler’s bedtime and naptime routine that you have so carefully planned for occurs around the time they turn 15 months old. This is known as a “15 month sleep regression.”
Just as not all infants go through the various sleep regression in infancy, such as the ones at 4 months, 6 months, 8 months, and 12 months of age, not every toddler will go through this phase.
18 Month Sleep Regression
The 18 month sleep regression is regarded by some as the most challenging of the common baby and toddler sleep regressions. During this period, your toddler may go from sleeping pretty well both day and night to waking up frequently or protesting sleep. Sometimes, your child could balk at taking a nap or sleeping at all. This can strike suddenly and for no apparent cause.
As you watch this start to take place, it might bring back unpleasant dreams and arguments at bedtime when they were between 4 and 8 months old. This sleep regression presents an additional hurdle because your kid now has more to say and has made great progress in learning how to communicate their needs. Although you probably did not have to worry about teaching your 8-month-old the value of sleep or that your 4-month-old would learn how to crawl out of their crib, 17-month-more old’s development skill set can make this sleep regression more difficult.
Final Say
Hope you gain all the information regarding sleep regression ages. If your child is not taking exact sleep, it is highly recommended consulting to your doctor. Personal Care N Heal also delivers information regarding health-related topics.
