What is sleep regression?

It is common to encounter a bumpy period of time with your kid where sleep suddenly becomes difficult, and all the hard work you’ve put into routines and nap spacing seems for naught. 

Your child’s brain is developing and changing quickly. This may affect and lead to changes in sleep. And this means that, for periods of 2-6 weeks, you might encounter sleep regressions. Sometimes they happen after milestones — rolling, crawling, teething — and sometimes just out of the blue.

Common ages for sleep regressions include:

• 4 months
• 6 months
• 8-10 months
• 12 months
• 18 months
• 2 years old

The thing to remember is to stick to your routine, because while regressions can’t be avoided, your schedule is the key to quickly returning back to “normal”. A healthy bedtime routine can look different for every family, but the key to a good bedtime routine is that it’s a routine. Here's a great place to start.

 

This article has been reviewed by our team of experts.

Disclaimer: The contents of this article does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns about any health or medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment you should consult with your pediatrician or a licensed healthcare provider.