Infant sleep regression, explained

Don’t let the night shift become your full-time job.

Let’s be honest: whoever came up with the phrase ‘sleeping like a baby’ probably never had one. 

As cute as babies are, getting them to sleep can be hard. No matter how many parenting books you read or podcasts you listen to, nothing can quite prepare you for how demanding it can be. And just when you think you’re starting to get the hang of it, your child’s sleep patterns can change, and suddenly you’re back to square one.

Welcome to the woeful world of infant sleep regression – where every bedtime feels like a battle. But fear not, we’ve got plenty of tricks up our sleeve to help you get your child’s sleep habits back on track so you can both get the rest you deserve.

What is infant sleep regression?

Sleep regression is where a child who has previously been sleeping well suddenly becomes restless and struggles to fall or stay asleep. They might be cranky and harder to settle, nap less, wake up more often, or sleep for shorter periods. These symptoms are usually temporary, but they can last a few weeks. 

While research in this area is ongoing (there is even some debate as to whether sleep regression is real) it’s something many parents have reportedly experienced. 

According to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, 60 per cent of mothers report mild or fluctuating infant sleep problems in the first year of their child’s life, while 20 per cent report severe, persistent problems.

When does sleep regression happen?

Sleep regression can occur at any time, but it’s most often associated with babies and toddlers. According to the Better Health Channel, periods of significant physical, social and emotional development can impact a child’s sleep patterns, along with things like sickness, stress, teething, travel or changes in routine. 

At the end of the day, every child is different, and there’s no hard and fast rule about when (or if) sleep regression will occur. However, according to popular discourse, babies often experience it at around four, eight, 12 or 18 months old.

What causes sleep regression?

There isn’t one single cause of sleep regression. A number of factors are involved, including your child’s developmental stage.

For example, at 18 months old, rapid developmental changes occur. Not only are children more physically mobile at this age (you’ll probably find yourself securing every drawer in the house to keep out their tiny fingers), they’re also more independent, better at thinking and reasoning, and have stronger emotional reactions. 

These changes can result in restlessness and separation anxiety and may make them more resistant to bedtime. While an 18-month-old’s sleep schedule typically involves around 11-14 hours each night, it’s totally normal for them to go through a period of fussiness, crying and frequent night-time awakenings. 

Navigating sleep regression

According to Australia’s Sleep Health Foundation, tackling infant sleep issues comes down to two things: routine and consistency. Having a regular day and night-time routine teaches your child when they should be awake and when to go to sleep.

To get through a tricky sleep-regression phase, we recommend:

1. Keeping your child active during the day and giving them access to plenty of natural light. 

2. Putting them to bed at the same time every day. 

3. Following a consistent bedtime ritual (such as giving them a bath, swaddling/cuddling them or reading them a story), prepare them for sleep.  

4. Allowing them to fall asleep in bed (rather than in your arms, on the couch or anywhere else) so they learn to associate their bed with sleep. 

How to settle an overtired baby

When it comes to those pesky night-time awakenings, babies over the age of three months can be taught to self-settle, which may help them sleep for longer periods of time.

If your child is crying or distressed, Pregnancy, Birth & Baby recommends “hands-on settling”. This involves patting or stroking them while they’re in the cot and making soothing sounds until they’re calm. If they start crying again when you leave the room, try sitting or lying down somewhere they can see you until they fall asleep.

It's important that you don’t over-complicate things and resort to tactics like rocking your baby to sleep or pushing them around in a pram all the time. They may learn to rely on those things and struggle to drift off without them. 

Of course, you know your baby best, so you should do what feels right to you. And if you’re at all concerned, you can always make an appointment with your GP or paediatrician. 

Remember: you’re not alone! Sleep regression is a challenge many parents face – and it’s usually only temporary, so there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t underestimate the power of leaning on your fellow sleep-deprived parents for advice and moral support, either.

Looking to create a cosy sleeping environment for your child to help them drift off? Explore our range of kids furniture.