Did you know that 8-10 months is the peak time for your baby to grow out of their sleepy baby phase? It’s true! Sleep regressions are normal in babies, and they happen at predictable times. Once those sleepless nights start piling up again, you can bet that your baby is going through a regression.
So what exactly is sleep regression? You see, during the first year of life, there are several key developmental milestones. This means that when your baby hits another one of these important markers, it could cause them to struggle with their sleeping patterns for a short period of time. This stage is known as “sleep regression.”
What is Sleep Regression?
A sleep regression is a newborn that suddenly sleeps at night and begins nocturnal awakenings. They struggle and take longer to fall asleep, or they even start snoozing badly.
Unsuspecting parents are unaware of the reasons for these abrupt changes. It may take up to six weeks for the baby’s sleep patterns to return to normal. To be more precise, it is a passing phase. One should not panic and should maintain healthy sleeping habits.
These sleep regressions could be related to childhood development, as they typically occur at the ages of 6 weeks, 3 months, 8-10 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 2 years.
However, not all children experience these regressions. The most frequent is  3 month sleep regression, but this does not mean that after this all need to occur.
3 Month Sleep Regression
Sleep regression usually happens between the ages of 3 months and 2 years, with the most common ages being 3, 6, and 9 months, 1, 1.5, and 2 years.
Babies develop rapidly every day as a result of a wide range of experiences. The brain absorbs a multitude of stimuli when the newborn develops physical mobility.
When our brains are bombarded with all kinds of stimuli throughout the day, they have to work hard to organize our actions. Sleep is affected by this.
The brain’s information processing catches up after a given amount of time, the 3 month sleep regression settles down, and sleep time gradually lengthens again.
Characteristics of Sleep Regression Occurring in the First 3 Months of Life
We usually sleep at night and wake up in the morning, which is the basic rhythm of our lives. However, it takes time for babies to develop this rhythm of life, and it changes as they grow.
- Naps and nighttime sleep, which were relatively consistent before, have become shorter. Babies wake up too soon and feel they are sleeping less deeply.
- Sleep is difficult, and putting your child to sleep takes longer.
- During the daytime or before going to sleep, the child spends a lot of time struggling to fall asleep.
- Waking up multiple times during the night.
Causes of Sleep Regression
Babies spend most of their first few days of life sleeping. Some really good sleepers don’t wake up at all after feeding and diaper-changing time, and sometimes mothers struggle to wake them up.
Even babies who sleep well may experience sleep issues triggered by certain factors, such as a lack of sleep or a tendency to wake at night due to shallow sleep. 3 month sleep regression in babies is caused by two factors. Detailed explanations of each cause will be provided.
- Sensory Sensitivities
One of the most common causes of 3 month sleep regression is the increasing sensitivity of the senses. At 3 months of age, babies’ brains and bodies begin to develop, and they gradually begin to hear and see sounds around them. A baby may become more irritated by the slightest noise at night, or conversely, the lack of sound may cause the baby to become anxious, believing that mom or dad are not around, causing nighttime crying.
- Changes in Sleep Patterns
After their third month of life, babies who had short sleep cycles several times a day as newborns gradually begin to get more and more consistent sleep. The sudden lengthening of sleep can upset a baby’s brain, causing him or her to cry because the brain is struggling with a new situation.
How Long Does a Sleep Regression Last?
Each baby experiences 3 month sleep regression differently. It may occur frequently as the baby goes through growth stages, or it may only happen once and then settle down.
Additionally, sleep regressions vary greatly in duration, and it is impossible to predict when they will end; some children may return to their usual routine after about five days, while others may continue for a month or more.
Your baby may not be able to sleep well at the beginning, but you may soon adjust. However, the longer it goes on, the more stressful it is for the mother and the higher the likelihood that she will become ill from lack of sleep.
Tips To Help Your Baby Sleep Better
- Put the Baby to Sleep When They are in a Comfortable Mood
Allow your baby to sleep when he or she is in a “good mood,” rather than when he or she is completely sleepy. Crying and excitement can create a vicious cycle that makes falling asleep even more difficult. They will be able to sleep longer since their brains will be at rest if you can help them fall asleep easily while they are in a good mood. Try to put them to sleep before they become sleepy and start crying.
- Skin-to-Skin Contact During the Day
Babies are content and can sleep quietly when they are “played with” and “cared for.” Reduce the number of times your infant is left alone to cry by actively playing with him or her.
- Set a Routine Before Going to Sleep
Establishing a routine before bed as a daily habit is also important. As an example, you put your baby to bed around 7:00 in the evening. Darken the room light, change clothes and moisturize → massage after bathing → breast milk or formula → turn off the light. Bathing your child at the same time every day may be tough, but it is important to attempt to put your child to bed at the same time and in the same sequence as much as possible, since little changes might make it harder for your child to fall asleep.
- Reduce Your Breastfeeding and Carrying Practices
If your child sobs or wakes up wailing in the middle of the night, you may have held or breastfed your child. In this case, your baby may not be able to fall asleep without being breastfed or swaddled. Therefore, avoid carrying or nursing your baby as much as possible. If the baby starts to cry, keep an eye on him and stay near him, patting him on the tummy or shoulder to reassure him and let him fall asleep independently.
- Create a Sleep Environment
The environment in which you put your infant to sleep is essential, notably the light and temperature of the room. Before going to bed, the room should be slightly dimly illuminated and completely darkened during sleep. Also, use an air conditioner to keep the room temperature at 25 to 27 degrees Celsius in the summer and 18 to 20 degrees Celsius in the winter. In the winter, you may want to dress your baby in heavy clothing or cover him with blankets, but he may find it difficult to move if he is overdressed.
Conclusion
Once you thought you had finally gotten your baby to sleep through the night, a sudden 3 month sleep regression appears. The baby’s sleep may seem to have gone backwards at first, but it is actually an indication that the baby is growing well.
It may be repeated several times by some children, but it will eventually fade away. There are also basic ways to help your baby fall asleep without difficulty using these coping strategies. For your baby’s comfort, it is important to continue them even after the sleep regression settles down.