How many sleep regressions are there?

Regression hunting

When you have a little baby it can be very easy to fall into a place where you’re constantly looking for something to explain what might be ‘wrong’ with your little one. Are they going through a ‘leap’, are they going through a ‘sleep regression’? When you look and find the answer you’re looking for it can then be quite relieving as you feel as though there’s an explanation and then also an end to what’s going on.

I certainly remember checking the Wonder Weeks app and regularly googling can there be a sleep regression at x months, every month…

Well, the truth of it is there is only one real regression. The four month one. This is when your tiny newborn comes out of the fourth trimester and their sleep matures to be that of a baby and then adult. As a newborn they just flit between active sleep and non-active sleep and at four months they develop their sleep cycles to going between light and deep sleep, similar to that of an adult. Where you may have been lucky enough to have had a couple of regular long blocks of sleep the four month sleep regression can see your little one suddenly waking every couple of hours and needing your assistance to go back to sleep.

There is no set time for this regression to last, it may be over in a week or two, it may last a couple of months.. If your little one is reliant on needing you or a crutch to go back to sleep it may last until you break that. Or if you have implemented good sleep hygiene and good sleep habits before you little one hits four months you may fly through it seamlessly and not even notice this major transition.

The four month sleep regression can hit any point from 3 1/2 months to 4 1/2 months.

Sleep setbacks, not regressions

If you feel as though your little one’s sleep has changed at any other point it is likely there is something else at play. Physically this could be teething, upset tummy, constipation or other bugs. Or mentally they could be going through some major changes; learning to roll, crawling, pulling themselves up (and getting back down), walking and talking.

Because every baby is unique they’ll all be going through these changes at different points, which is why googling ‘is there a regression at x age’ will always pull up results.

Physical setbacks

If the sleep setback is due to something physical then all you can do is support your little one while they work through it, think about anything you can do to help them - such as tummy massage for upset tummy’s, teething granules or gel for teething. Absolutely offer more comfort but be conscious about not implementing anything you aren’t happy with continuing with. I.e. introducing co-sleeping, rocking baby to sleep etc.

Developmental setbacks

If they’re going through a big development they’ll be using their time in their bed to practice this, sometimes instead of sleeping! If they’re learning to crawl this might see them on their hands and knees rocking back and forth in their bed while they practice. If they’re learning to talk you might hear them practicing all the words they know.

To help them move through these developmental setbacks try to establish what it is that is keeping them awake and help them practice this. I.e. if they’re trying to roll help them practice this skill during the day. If they’re pulling themselves up in their cot and then getting stuck sit with them for 20 minutes and practice sitting down safely.

The second they crack whatever they were working through you should see an instant improvement in their sleep.