Sleep Regression Happens

You survived the first few months of little sleep with your baby, you have finally got them on a decent routine that at least allows you to sleep in longer chunks of time. You are feeling pretty good about how things are going - they could always go better, but you are not complaining as it was much worse. However, your child starts waking up right in the middle of the night again just when you thought you were all good.

All kids go through some form of sleep regression. You have them on a schedule, and they’re suddenly waking up at random times again. Even if you haven’t changed anything about your daily routine, your child may start waking up at weird times again. It’s simply part of a young child growing up, and it will occur. Be ready for it the best you can - try to stay patient as it’s quite frustrating.

The first thing to do is to be as consistent in your routines as possible. That means that every single day you’re doing your nightly routine. You’re putting your child to bed in the same way and in the same place every night - any variations to this routine can cause sleep regressions. Even if you’re planning to stay up later, or do something different, put your child to sleep at the same time.

Once your child is older and less prone to sleep regressions, then you can vary as you may need. But to start, being as consistent as possible with bedtime routines and times is the best way to get your child to actually work through sleeping through the night. Older children can better regulate their body and figure out how to go back to sleep at night - babies can’t do that as well.

Sleep regression can occur in children up through their teens, but it’s generally a bigger issue with babies and young children. As a child grows older, they can more easily be taught to simply stay in their room and to try to go back to sleep. They don’t have to yell and scream and wake you up when they wake up. While sleep regressions occur in older children, you won’t feel the effect near as much.

For babies and toddlers, you’ll simply need to work through many of the ideas that we’ve previously discussed in getting your child to sleep through the night. For the first few nights, keep your consistent routine going, but if that doesn’t work then work through some of the other ideas. It’s extremely tiring and frustrating as a parent when this happens (sleep regression), but it will pass.

Our favorite method, as usual, is to work with your partner and take turns at night. One partner gets the first half of the night, and the other partner gets the second half of the night. This allows both parents to sleep for a more consistent chunk of time rather than being up at random times all night. Obviously this doesn’t work if you’re a single parent, but for others it should be something you’re trying when your child is waking up at night.

Sleep regression is part of your child’s growth. It will happen, so be prepared to work through it with your child.