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Once your baby sleeps well, it can be overwhelming when they suddenly struggle at bedtime or wake up at night. You might think, “Didn’t we already pass the sleepless stage?”

The truth is that sleep quality ebbs and flows for most kids. Sleep regressions are periods of worse sleep that might last two to four weeks. They are common in a baby’s first year and beyond.

Rest assured, if you stick to your guns, these regressions are typically short-lived. Your baby’s sleep will go back to normal. In the meantime, sticking to a routine and paying attention to your baby’s cues can help.

What Age Do Babies Have Sleep Regression?

Sleep regressions are when a baby deviates from their consistent sleep pattern. This pattern usually develops around four months.

Most babies have at least one sleep regression in their first year. Some may have many sleep regressions. But every baby is different.

Sleep regressions are less linked to the age of a baby and more linked to what they’re going through.

Sleep regression in babies may be due to:

• A growth spurt may make your baby need an extra feeding or two during the night. Hunger could lead to bedtime crying.
• An illness.
• Changes in a routine that might be stressful or stimulating — for example, traveling or a new daycare.
• Reaching a new milestone, like rolling over or pulling themselves up. Babies may want to stay up and practice their new skills.
• Separation anxiety. This fear especially hits babies around 9 months, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Teething pain can cause bedtime or nighttime crying and waking.

How Do I Know if My Baby Is Having Sleep Regression?

Your baby has a sleep regression if it goes from a consistent sleep pattern to a disrupted one. If this happens several days in a row, your baby is likely going through one of the causes listed above.

A baby going through a sleep regression may:

• Be more fussy throughout the day.
• Have trouble falling asleep at bedtime.
• Refuse to nap or take shorter naps.
• Wake up more often in the night.

How To Deal With Baby Sleep Regression

While sleep regression can be stressful, remember it won’t last long. The sleep regression should resolve on its own. These tips can help you and your baby get through a sleep regression period.

Think about why your baby is having sleep regression

Knowing the cause can help. If your baby is fighting an infection, for example, increased fluids might help.

Babies over six months can have small amounts of water if they get milk or formula. Your doctor can also help if your baby is fighting an ear infection or another prolonged illness.

If you think your baby is going through a growth spurt, extra daytime feedings might avoid nighttime demands for milk.

If your baby is teething, a teething toy or cold washcloth could help. Try putting a damp washcloth in the freezer.

Reinforce good sleep habits

Regardless of the reason for sleep regression, it helps to keep up with good sleep habits. This means keeping the room dimly lit and following the same routine each time. For example, your baby might get a nightly bath, change into pajamas, and have a special bedtime story or song.

You also want to keep putting your child down to sleep around the same times each day. While it may take a few days to get used to a new routine like daycare, consistency is key. Your baby will adjust faster if you don’t play around with their schedule too much.

Watch for signs of sleepiness

Keep your baby’s sleep routine somewhat the same each day, but make sure to respond to their cues. If your child looks sleepy 20 minutes before bedtime, put them to bed a little earlier.

Babies who feel tired will fall asleep faster, but waiting too long can cause a baby to get overtired. Overtiredness can stimulate stress hormones, making it harder for your baby to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night.

When your child starts to feel sleepy, they may:

• Fuss, whine, or cry.
• Rub their eyes or ears.
• Yawn.
• ‘Zone out’ or engage less with what’s happening around them.

Do You Let Baby Cry It Out During Sleep Regression?

Sleep regressions may spur you to sleep-train your child. You may wonder if sleep training will make regressions better.

Studies show that sleep training can help babies self-soothe. They may still wake up, but sleep training helps them get back to sleep on their own.

If your baby is at least four months old, sleep training may help with regressions. Before four months, sleep training can be stressful and less likely to be as helpful.

Doctors commonly suggest the ‘graduated extinction’ or Ferber method. This isn’t a purely ‘cry it out’ method, so there’s a time limit to how long your child cries without reassurance. The Ferber method doesn’t lead to social, emotional, or attachment problems later in life.

First, you let your child cry for three minutes before coming in to calm them. The next time, wait longer before checking on them, such as five minutes. After that, you might check on your child every seven minutes until they’re asleep.

You can read about different ‘graduated extinction’ schedules online and choose one that feels good. That said, you don’t have to teach your baby to fall asleep without you.

A long-term study examined kids’ attachments to their parents, sleep patterns, and stress levels. This study showed no differences between sleep-trained kids and those who weren’t. If you enjoy rocking or feeding your child to sleep, stick with it.

Continue Using Safe Sleep Habits

During a sleep regression, you may want to let your baby sleep in their car seat or snuggled up in your bed. But safe sleep habits are important throughout the first year to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome and strangulation.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not sharing a bed with your baby for the first six months. Instead, sleep in the same room with the baby in a crib or bassinet.

Always put your baby to sleep on their back in a safe sleeping space without pillows, blankets, or anything else, like bumpers. Read more on safe sleep practices for babies.

When Should You See a Doctor About Sleep Regression?

You should also see your child’s doctor anytime you think they’re not eating or drinking enough.

If you’ve tried to get your baby back on track for two weeks and nothing seems to work, see a doctor. They can make sure there isn’t a health issue affecting their sleep. They can also suggest schedules and methods that might help.