What Is Sleep Regression? Why Does It Happen?
WHAT IS SLEEP REGRESSION?
Another joyous phrase that you’d rather remain in ignorant bliss about, but you know it exists and aware that it will happen. It’s basically the term used to describe periods of time when your angelic sleepy head begins to wake up in the night when ordinarily they ‘sleep like a baby’. Or when your toddler suddenly starts to fight nap time and doesn’t want to be put into bed for the night.
Like adults, any change in our daily routine or physical or emotional health, the first thing that becomes disrupted is our ability to sleep soundly through the night. It’s no surprise that this will occur in babies too, the main difference being; they can’t verbalise why or what is bothering them.
As parents, it becomes a matter of offering support and patience whilst the disruption plays out (usually between 3 and 6 weeks) until peaceful nights resume. It feels like it will never pass while you’re in it; but it will.
KEY REASONS WHY SLEEP REGRESSION HAPPENS
Some key reasons why your baby can experience sleep regression are as follows:
- Teething
- Weaning
- Developmental milestones
- Beginning to feel unwell or getting over a bug or virus
- Separation anxiety as they become more aware of you and their surroundings
- The onset of night terrors or bad dreams
- Changes in their diet
- Changes in their environment or routine
Unfortunately, it is something that all developing children will experience to some degree and can’t be bypassed. Rest assured it often passes as quickly as it arises. Each baby is unique, what one baby experiences may not occur for another.