The Top 4 Sleep Regression Tips and Insights You Need

“Sleep regressions”. When you hear someone say that their baby or toddler is experiencing a “sleep regression”, what do you think? Do you find yourself worrying about your baby or toddler’s sleep patterns? Have you heard about “sleep regressions” and wondered what they really mean?

Typically, we think of a baby or toddler who was previously sleeping well and isn’t anymore. We also think about sleep regressions as being temporary, i.e., that things will simply go back to the way they were before after the sleep regression is “over”.

However, there are very few times when your baby or toddler will go through an actual sleep regression. Most of the time, these “regressions” are just simply indications that we haven’t quite caught up with our kiddo’s current phase of development and what they need. For example, they’re now older and need more homeostatic sleep pressure to sleep well, which may mean we need to increase their wake windows. Or, they need more physical activity, or more iron-rich foods at certain points of the day, or simply some attention given to that gnawing separation anxiety. 

In addition, there is one major developmental phase that many people think is a regression – but is actually a biological progression, which means that it’s permanent in nature, not temporary. That’s the so-called “4 month sleep regression”. I like to call it what it actually is: the sleep-wake cycle maturation process. Although it can feel scary to go through, this biological progression presents us with a HUGE opportunity to lay down amazing, healthy, independent sleep habits (if you haven’t already done so in the newborn phase, which I highly recommend). 

In summary, here’s a quick “need to know” about sleep regressions:

Developmental Milestones

Many “regressions” coincide with significant developmental milestones, such as increased mobility, cognitive development, or separation anxiety.

Biological Progression

The so-called “4-month sleep regression” is often misunderstood. Instead of a regression, it’s actually a natural progression in the sleep-wake cycle maturation process.

Opportunity for Growth

Regressions don’t need to be scary! They can actually be celebrated, since they represent these incredible periods of growth in your child’s development. While it may seem daunting, these periods of change present an opportunity to establish healthy sleep habits for your child. 

With the right strategies, you can celebrate these milestones and support your child’s development so that they’re sleeping well for the long-term on a consistent basis – not just in the short-term!