As a parent, few things are more precious than the sight of your little one peacefully sleeping. However, even the best sleepers can experience disruptions in their slumber due to sleep regressions. These temporary periods of sleep disturbance often occur around key developmental stages. Common sleep regression ages are 4 months, 8-10 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 2 years of age.
To help you prepare for the ages of sleep regression, we've put together a comprehensive guide outlining the sleep regression timeline and what you may expect at typical sleep regression ages.
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What is a Sleep Regression?
A sleep regression is a temporary phase during which a baby who has been sleeping well for an extended period suddenly experiences disruptions in their sleep patterns, waking up frequently throughout the night.
Situations like these can leave parents feeling exhausted, bewildered, and concerned. Imagine, your little one was sleeping soundly through the night, and suddenly, they wake up randomly in the night; then again the next night, and the night following… You get the idea... and we get it too – it’s tough!
What’s more, there is a sleep regression timeline over the course of your baby’s first two years, often at predictable intervals. That’s why knowing what to expect – and what are the sleep regression ages – can really help you prepare and cope with sleep regressions ages.
Why sleep regressions are sleep progressions
The phrase “sleep regression” is most common when discussing sleep hiccups or disruption, but we prefer to think of them as sleep progressions because they show your baby is progressing well – they are only experiencing this “regression” because they’re learning and developing new skills.
Why Do Sleep Regressions Happen?
In addition to coinciding with growth spurts, sleep regressions almost always coincide with big developmental leaps, like learning to crawl or using a spoon, as well as increased physical activity, speech development, increased awareness, emotional development, and independence. That’s why we often refer to them as sleep progressions, and some people may refer to them as growth spurt sleep regression.
These are new, exciting skills and experiences that can distract your baby from the business to sleep. And, hey, can you blame them? If you just learned about hands, you’d want to stay up all night using them, right?
Understanding these milestones, and when they happen, can make the cause of your baby's sleep regression easy to spot, and easier to prepare for. So, when you’re looking for extra sleep support that won’t break the bank, look no further than the Smart Sleep Coach by PampersTM app. Thousands of parents swear by it.
What are the Signs of Common Sleep Regression?
Regardless of when a sleep regression happens, common signs that your baby is entering one of the typical sleep regression ages include:
- Your baby’s naps are shorter
- Your baby is refusing to take naps
- Your baby’s naps are longer, but night sleep is shorter
- Your baby protests at bedtime
- Your baby wakes up crying at night
- Your baby can’t fall back to sleep after waking mid-sleep
- Your baby is more fussy than usual around nap or bedtimes.
What are the Common Sleep Regression Ages?
Every baby is different, and thus, no typical sleep regression timeline will precisely correspond to your baby's individual development and experiences. However, there are commonly observed periods when babies tend to experience sleep regressions: typically at 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 months. Although there may be other sleep regressions, these are the sleep regression ages that are most common.
4 Month Sleep Regression
The first and most common sleep regression occurs around 4-months of age. It occurs when your baby is developing new physical and mental skills, including sitting up, using their hands more, smiling, and making new sounds – all of which is very exciting to them and may distract them from their sleep.
But there’s something else unique about your 4-month-old, their natural circadian rhythm is more mature than ever.
The circadian rhythm is your baby’s natural, biological sleep regulating process that helps them understand the difference between day and night and when to sleep. Though natural, this process takes a few months to form – that’s why sleep is so disorganized for newborns. That’s also why while you can start healthy sleep habits from day one, we recommend you only start sleep training around 4-months of age.
Interestingly, a 2007 medical study of found that nearly 30% of infants experience a sleep regression at four months, and one of the potential reasons they found was delayed development of circadian rhythms. The other explanation: later than ideal bedtimes.
8 Month Sleep Regression
While most 8-month-olds can sleep through the night – and many are sleeping 11-12 hours at night, especially after sleep coaching – a sleep regression at 8-months is very common.
The 8-month or 9-month regression happens because of all the many milestones your baby’s achieving: they’re teething; they’re learning to crawl, and their trying to sound out words – all of which can be exciting and disrupt their sleeping.
But the main reason behind the 8-month-old regression is separation anxiety. That may sound a bit unnerving, however a baby experiencing separation anxiety is a totally normal, healthy, and a very positive element of their development.
12 Month Sleep Regression
Oh, baby!
Your 1-year-old is marking some major milestones: they can stand and may even be cruising around by using chairs and couches as support; they can also grasp objects, understand and mimic simple words and are more and more curious about this great, big world around them. They may even have taken, or be taking their first support-free steps!
This is all incredible – but it can also be incredibly disruptive for their sleep.
Also, while we recommend starting sleep training at 4 months, it’s truly never too late to start sleep training. And even if you sleep trained in the past, it’s often a good idea to reapply the same approach when a regression is getting the better of your sleep.
Not sure where to start? Download the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™ App, this top-rated sleep app is helping parents everywhere get their babies sleep on track.
18 Month Sleep Regression
Similar to the 12-month sleep regression, the 18-month sleep regression coincides with major mental, verbal, and physical milestones, including walking independently, adding a few words to their vocabulary, learning to bring food and water to their mouths, climbing, and following directions – or, at times, not following directions as they develop their sense of self and independence.
So, yes, your 18-month is experiencing a lot of new things, and, as with other sleep regressions, this can be far, far more exciting than boring old sleep. They’re testing their boundaries – and this may test your patience.
While we understand this may be frustrating, it’s entirely okay for you to take a second to decompress in stressful times. Simply place your baby in a safe space and step away for a moment to recenter yourself.
24 Month Sleep Regression
The last big sleep regression typically happens around the 2-year mark, when your baby is talking more, walking more, and just experiencing more.
Though the symptoms of this sleep regression are the same, their expression can be a bit of a doozy because your baby is much more vocal and assertive than ever. They can – and will – say “no” to protest bedtimes and may even throw a tantrum.
As frustrating as this may be, rest assured this is normal: your two-year-old is simply testing their independence. Luckily, this too shall pass – and even faster if you’ve been sleep training. That’s because the more consistent your baby’s bedtime routine is prior to this point, and the more consistent you can be with it now, the shorter their sleep regression is likely to last.
And remember, an earlier bedtime is always a good idea! Particularly if you feel this regression has led to your little one getting less sleep than usual.
Do All Babies Go Through Sleep Regression?
Every baby will go through developmental changes, which will include changes to their sleep patterns. However not every expected sleep regression will necessarily seem to dramatically affect their sleep.
How Long Do Sleep Regressions Last at Different Ages?
It's important to note that a true sleep regression is different from a few occasional difficult nights. Still, sleep regressions at every age are always temporary, and each sleep regression regardless of age typically lasts around 2 to 6 weeks before your baby begins sleeping more smoothly again.
It's worth noting that not all babies experience noticeable sleep regressions, and for those who already have challenging sleep patterns, you might not observe any significant changes according to the typical sleep regression timeline. The key is to understand that sleep regressions are a normal part of development.
How Should I Cope a Sleep Regression?
To cope with your baby's sleep regression, consider the following strategies, which can help at any age:
- Maintain routines: Consistent bedtime routines are crucial to help establish healthy sleep habits.
- Keep it dark: Use blackout curtains and minimize distractions in your baby's sleep space.
- Wait a moment: Allow your baby a chance to fall back asleep before checking on them.
- Use low lights and a soft voice: Keep the environment calm during nighttime interactions.
- Adjust bedtimes: Early bedtimes can help prevent frequent night wakings and sleep disruptions.
- Address separation anxiety: Help your baby understand they are safe even when alone for brief periods.
- Alleviate teething pain: Use teething rings, frozen fruit, or a cool, wet washcloth to soothe discomfort (supervise when in use).
- Revisit sleep training: If you have sleep trained your baby in the past, you can refresh your baby's sleep coaching to get back on track.
- Practice self-care: Take time for yourself to recharge and be a more attentive and patient parent.
Final Thoughts
Many wonder what are the sleep regression ages, and while the sleep regression timeline is most commonly at 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months, all babies are different and baby sleep regression ages may be slightly different.
If your baby is entering an age of sleep regression, remember: sleep regression is a sign that your baby is developing and are common – and temporary. Keep following your baby’s typical routine and don’t introduce new habits – and with apps like Smart Sleep Coach helping you stick with their regular schedule, soon their sleep will be back on track.
You can read our full article How to Get Through Your Baby’s Sleep Regression for more. Remember that each baby is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Be patient and adjust your approach as needed during sleep regressions.
