Sleep Regressions
Understanding Sleep Regressions: What to Expect and How to Handle Them
Sleep regressions are a normal part of your baby’s development, though how each child experiences them can vary. The word regression typically has negative associations; it’s a result of a gorgeous milestone that your child has reached – rolling, crawling, babbling, talking, walking!! Some babies will breeze through with barely a hiccup, while others will struggle; leaving everyone in the house feeling the impact.
As your baby grows, they pass through several major developmental milestones. These changes are exciting as your child becomes more aware, mobile, and independent. But they can also disrupt sleep. During these times, your baby’s brain is working overtime, and their sleep patterns often shift temporarily.
There are six key sleep regressions commonly seen:
4 months
6 months
8–9 months
12 months
18 months
2 years
The signs are usually the same: poor sleep, trouble settling, frequent waking, and a disrupted routine. As your child gets older, you may also notice more clinginess, irritability, or resistance at bedtime.
4-Month Sleep Regression
This can be a big one! At this age, your baby is moving beyond the newborn phase. If they’ve been sleeping fairly well, this sudden shift can be confusing and exhausting for parents. Naps may shorten, and night wakings increase. This is often the first experience of a regression and it can shake your confidence as parents.
As with all regressions, this one can last 2–6 weeks. If sleep disruptions go on beyond that, it may indicate the formation of new, less helpful sleep habits. Rocking, feeding, or assisting baby to sleep each time they wake may be contributing. The good news? These habits can be gently changed, bringing more calm to your routine. Being forewarned may help mitigate against creating new habits, but sometimes you just got to do what you need to do at the time and break unhelpful habits later.
6–9 Month Sleep Regression
These regressions are grouped together because they’re driven by similar factors—teething and developmental leaps. Around 6 months, your baby might cut their first tooth and begin rolling or sitting unaided. By 9 months, they may start crawling or pulling to stand, sometimes even practising these skills during the night.
Mentally, your baby is also learning about object permanence, imitation, and communication. This burst of brain development can really shake up sleep.
Again, this phase usually lasts 2–6 weeks. If you notice your baby consistently resisting a nap, it might be time to drop one. Many babies transition from 3 naps to 2 between 4 and 12 months (see my blog on nap transitions for more information on this).
If you haven’t already established a sleep routine, this is a perfect time to introduce one. Babies thrive on predictability, and a consistent wind-down helps them feel secure, calm, and ready for sleep. If you need help on creating a schedule or routine, please reach out.
12-Month Sleep Regression
This stage often brings the 3 C’s: clinginess, crankiness, and crying. Your baby is fast approaching toddlerhood. They may start walking, climbing, and asserting themselves more. Separation anxiety is also common and can make bedtime particularly emotional.
Molars may begin erupting, adding another layer of discomfort.
This regression still follows the familiar 2–6 week pattern. Some babies may move to one nap around this age, but most won’t fully transition until 15–18 months. Unless you’re sure it’s time, hold off on dropping a nap during the regression and reassess once things settle.
To support your baby, encourage their independence with small choices, like picking a bedtime book or helping with simple tasks. Reassurance, extra cuddles, and a slightly extended bedtime routine can ease separation anxiety. For teething pain, consult your GP or paediatrician.
18-Month Sleep Regression
Now fully in toddler territory, your little one may suddenly resist sleep again. They might skip naps, wake during the night, or struggle to settle—despite previously good sleep habits.
At this stage, toddlers are developing strong opinions, language skills, and a desire for independence. These big emotions can show up at bedtime too. Molars may still be coming through, making nights more unsettled.
To help, allow your child small choices to give them a sense of control, develop the choice and control piece more by allowing them make more choices in their day; picking pyjamas, bath toy, bed toy etc. Keep bedtime routines consistent, calm, and predictable.
2-Year Sleep Regression
Two is a time of rapid change. Your toddler’s language is blooming, they may be potty training, transitioning to a bed, or adjusting to a new sibling. These life changes, combined with physical development and teething, can easily affect sleep.
As always, this regression usually passes in 2–6 weeks. If it goes on longer, you may need to revisit your toddler’s sleep habits and introduce changes to get things back on track.
Help your child feel secure by talking about what’s going on. Acknowledge their feelings, offer comfort, and encourage safe independence. Consistent routines, patience, and calm communication all go a long way during this stage. Its really common for a two year old to drop their nap totally for a few weeks during this regression, it is usually too soon to drop naps totally at this stage so stick with the consistency and try allow quiet time in their bed until this passes and they revert back to napping again.
Sleep regressions can be tough but they’re a sign of growth! With the right support, routines, and strategies, they don’t have to derail your family’s sleep for long. If you’re finding it hard to navigate this stage, please reach out, you don’t have to do this alone.
Nap Transitions
How Do I Know When to Drop a Nap?
Wondering whether your child is going through a sleep regression or ready to drop a nap? You're not alone , nap transitions can be tricky to navigate. Every child is different, and sleep patterns vary widely. But there are some clear signs to look out for that can help you decide whether it's time for a nap change.
Could It Be a Sleep Regression?
Before making any changes to your child’s nap routine, it’s important to rule out a sleep regression. While I don’t love the term, it sounds negative, it does describe a period where your child’s sleep temporarily goes backwards. You might notice:
More frequent night wakings
Nap refusal out of the blue
A return to old sleep habits like rocking or feeding to sleep
These regressions often happen around developmental milestones – crawling, walking, or talking can all cause sleep disruptions. The good news? They usually pass within 2–6 weeks. During this time, try to avoid introducing new sleep habits you don’t want to keep long-term (as tempting as it may be during a rough patch!).
Signs Your Child May Be Ready for a Nap Transition
If you’ve ruled out a regression, and things haven’t settled after a few weeks, here are some signs your child may be ready to drop a nap:
Nap refusal: If your child is consistently resisting a nap every day for several weeks – despite being offered the same routine, it may be time to drop it.
Shorter naps: A once solid 60-minute nap has become a 20-minute catnap, and this has been happening for a while? That can be another clue they’re ready to shift their sleep schedule.
Mood and energy are good: If your little one skips their nap but still manages the day happily and without overtiredness, they might not need that nap anymore.
Bedtime battles: What used to be a smooth bedtime routine has turned into a two- hour standoff? This could be a sign your child simply isn’t tired enough at bedtime. Reducing or removing a daytime nap can help restore a calmer evening.
Every Child’s Sleep Journey is Unique
It’s normal to feel unsure during a nap transition. Sleep needs change rapidly in the first few years, and what works one month might need a tweak the next.
If you're feeling overwhelmed or want tailored advice for your child’s sleep, I offer free discovery calls to chat through your little one’s routine and see how I can help. Let’s get you all sleeping better.
Why is sleep so important anyway?
We all know how amazing a good night’s sleep feels—waking up refreshed, energized, and ready to take on the day. But sleep isn’t just about feeling well-rested; it’s a key pillar of overall health, affecting everything from brain function to metabolism.
For adults, sleep helps us stay sharp, make good decisions, and maintain our physical and mental well-being. But for children, sleep is even more critical. Their bodies and brains are growing at an incredible rate, and quality sleep is essential for healthy development.
Despite its importance, many children simply aren’t getting enough rest. Research suggests that 20–40% of children don’t get sufficient sleep, with over 2 million kids in the U.S. suffering from sleep disorders and 20–30% of young children worldwide struggling with sleep issues. The recommended amount? 10–12 hours per night—but as any tired parent knows, that’s often easier said than done.
Newborns experience rapid growth in their first year—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Their brains are busy forming new connections, their bodies are developing, and their emotions are being shaped through interactions with caregivers. Sleep is a huge factor in all of this, helping to regulate emotions, support learning, and promote overall development.
And here’s something important: how parents and caregivers respond to their baby’s sleep (or lack of it) can make a big difference. Babies rely on us to help them learn healthy sleep habits, and the way we support them during wakeful nights can impact their ability to settle and sleep longer stretches.
Beyond just feeling tired, lack of sleep can affect so many aspects of life. Poor sleep has been linked to difficulties with decision-making, increased cravings for unhealthy foods, and even metabolic imbalances that affect body fat and insulin levels. Even one night of poor sleep can throw things off!
The good news? Sleep habits can be improved with the right guidance and support. Small changes can lead to big improvements, helping both children and parents get the rest they need.
If your little one is struggling with sleep, you’re not alone—and there are gentle, effective ways to help them (and you!) sleep better and I am here to help you through the journey.