Updated on
20.2.25
A new day begins, and there you are, standing in front of the mirror—zombie mode activated. The exhaustion from yet another sleepless night is written all over your face, and those dark circles under your eyes? Well, let’s just say they’ve earned their place. Your baby didn’t sleep. Again. For the third, fourth… maybe even the fifth night in a row? You’re too tired to keep count.
Naps are a struggle, bedtime routines feel useless, and your little one just won’t settle. They’re irritated, crying, and waking up constantly. As you splash cold water on your face and take a deep breath, you wonder: Why won’t my baby sleep? Is it teething? A tummy ache? Am I doing something wrong?
Spoiler: It’s not you. Your baby is going through something big—most likely a sleep regression. And while it may feel like a never-ending nightmare, the good news is: it’s temporary.
In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know (and more) about your baby’s sleep regression. What it is, how it’s connected to growth spurts and how you can support your child through this challenging time.
Let’s get cracking.
If your baby or toddler is around 4, 8, 12, 18, or 24 months old, they may be going through a sleep regression. Never heard of it? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
We’ll explain:
A sleep regression is a phase when a baby or toddler, who was previously sleeping well, suddenly starts struggling with sleep. This might mean they’re fighting naps, waking up more at night, or having a hard time falling asleep in general.
“Regression” means going backward, and while it might feel like a step in the wrong direction, it’s actually a sign of progress. Your baby’s brain is busy developing new skills, and this can temporarily disrupt their sleep.
The good news? Sleep regressions are completely normal—and they pass.
A sleep regression often arises during growth and developmental spurts. Since these occur - more or less - at predictable ages, experts often refer to:
Next, we'll help you determine if your baby is experiencing a sleep regression.
"Would you like to learn more about your baby's or toddler's sleep patterns, growth, and developmental leaps? Happy Baby creates a daily sleep schedule tailored to your child's age and current needs."
Does this sound familiar?
You check the clock. It’s been four hours since your baby’s last nap – time for the next one, you think. Surely, your baby must be tired by now? All the signs of sleepiness were there: Yawning? Check. Rubbing eyes? Check. Even tugging at their ears! But after 45 minutes of rocking, bouncing, and singing Twinkle, Twinkle, your baby is still wide awake.
If so, welcome to sleep regression territory. Here are some common signs:
✔ Your baby is restless and fidgety during sleep.
✔ Bedtime is a battle and takes much longer than usual.
✔ More frequent night wakings
✔ Shorter naps (or skipping them altogether)
✔The lack of sleep affects your baby's mood – they are in a bad mood, more irritable, cry more easily, and constantly seek your presence.
✔ Classic overtired signs (rubbing eyes, yawning, pulling ears) but still resisting sleep.
✔ Various sleep problems such as disruptions caused by teething, schedule mismanagement, or cognitive leaps.
Were you one of those parents whose baby could fall asleep anywhere, anytime? And now—suddenly—everything’s different?
Many parents breathe a sigh of relief when their baby starts developing a day-night rhythm around 4 months and begins sleeping for longer stretches at night. But then, out of nowhere, a sleep regression throws everything off track. Just when you thought you had figured things out, your baby's sleep habits take a turn.
During this time, well-established sleep patterns may suddenly change or reverse. Many babies start struggling to fall asleep, waking up more frequently at night—sometimes every 60 to 90 minutes.
And naps? Yep, those might get tricky too. Some babies find it harder to settle down during the day, leading to shorter naps or skipping them altogether.
How your baby behaves during a sleep regression is entirely individual – just like your baby’s development. The bottom line: constant sleep deprivation can affect your baby’s mood as well; it can make your baby irritable, grumpy and anxious. So be patient and loving, offer extra comfort, and remind yourself: this is just a phase, and it will pass.
Are you unsure if your baby is experiencing a sleep regression? And you want to better understand your baby’s sleep patterns? Happy Baby learns from your baby’s sleep behavior and creates personalized sleep schedule to help you navigate through these challenging phases.
Can your baby lift their head—and maybe even hold it up for a few seconds? Have they flashed you a real, intentional smile or rolled over for the first time? Or maybe they’re even trying to crawl? The first year is a whirlwind of growth and change, with your baby developing motor and cognitive skills at lightning speed. And every little milestone is a big deal—worthy of celebration! To achieve these developmental milestones, your baby’s brain is working hard.
But here’s the catch: all this learning can mess with sleep.
Your baby’s brain is working overtime to absorb and process new skills, but they can’t master everything at once. This can lead to frequent night wakings, disrupted sleep patterns, and more difficulty settling down—aka, a sleep regression.
Think of it this way: Your baby is so busy practicing their new tricks (even in their sleep!) that their usual sleep habits take a temporary hit. But don’t worry—this is a normal and healthy part of development. Sleep regressions are frustrating, but they’re also a sign that your little one is learning and growing exactly as they should!
Now for the burning question every exhausted parent asks: How long does a sleep regression last?
The good news? It won’t last forever. The not-so-great news? There’s no exact timeline—it varies from baby to baby. The duration depends on your child's age and individual development. Some little ones bounce back after just a few days, while others might take a few weeks to adjust.
But here’s what you can expect:
✔ The 4-month sleep regression—often the first and most noticeable—typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks.
✔ Later regressions, like those at 8, 12, 18, and 24 months, tend to last 4 to 6 weeks.
It’s frustrating, but remember: Sleep regressions are temporary sleep disruptions, and after a regression, your baby's regular sleep cycle should settle back in. In the meantime, patience (and coffee!) will be your best friends. Hang in there, parents—you’ve got this!
Figuring out exactly when a sleep regression will hit is about as predictable as guessing when your baby will suddenly refuse their favorite food. It varies! But one reliable clue? Growth spurts.
Most sleep regressions are linked to big developmental leaps, which typically happen around:
✔ 4 months ✔ 8 months ✔ 12 months ✔ 18 months ✔ 24 months
If your baby is in one of these age ranges and their sleep suddenly goes haywire, chances are a sleep regression is in full swing. Take a deep breath—it’s a phase, and it will pass!
Congratulations—your baby is now four months old! This is a huge milestone, and if you’re noticing some big changes, you’re not alone.
At this age, your baby is more alert and engaged, curiously exploring the world around them. They’ve probably discovered their hands, started reaching for toys, and maybe even begun rolling over. But all this exciting progress comes with a little downside—their sleep is changing, too.
Your baby is transitioning to a more adult-like sleep cycle, with longer wake windows and more defined sleep stages. And while that sounds great, it also means they wake up more easily between sleep cycles. This is when many parents first experience the dreaded 4-month sleep regression—a phase where a once-peaceful sleeper suddenly starts waking more frequently.
If your baby hasn’t established a consistent sleep rhythm yet, you might not notice this regression as much. But for those who have? Buckle up—this can be a challenging phase. The good news? It’s temporary, and it’s a sign of healthy development!
Knock, knock—who’s there? The 8-month sleep regression.
At this stage, your baby is on the move and in the midst of a major growth spurt. Whether they’re scooting on their bottom, crawling across the floor, or pulling up on furniture, their little body is working overtime to master mobility—not just during the day, but sometimes at night too.
You might notice your baby rolling, kicking, and flailing in their sleep, as if they’re practicing their new moves. And yep, that means more night wakings, tossing and turning, and a restless little sleeper. Sound familiar? Welcome to the 8-month sleep regression.
But here’s the bright side—your baby is also making huge cognitive leaps. They’re beginning to recognize and categorize animals, people, and objects. So if you wake up to find a tiny foot repeatedly kicking you in the face, don’t take it personally—they’re just busy processing all the new information their brain is absorbing. Hang in there—this phase, like all the others, will pass!
Are you unsure if your child is experiencing a sleep regression and want to better understand their sleep patterns? Happy Baby learns from your child’s sleep and provides you with a personalized sleep schedule for every day. This will help you both to navigate through these challenging phases.
At one year old, your baby has officially crossed the threshold into toddlerhood—a whole new adventure! Over the past few months, they’ve learned an incredible amount, all while juggling their ever-changing sleep needs.
Toddlers still need around 15 hours of sleep per day, typically split between nighttime sleep and a nap. If your little one hasn’t started sleeping through the night yet, this might finally be the phase when it happens (fingers crossed!).
But… just when you think sleep is settling down, developmental leaps between 11 and 13 months can stir things up again.
At this age, toddlers are busy making new connections—they’re mimicking sounds (woof woof! meow meow!), developing emotionally, and pushing their physical limits. It’s like watching a tiny tumbler toy in action—pulling up on furniture, falling onto their bottom, and trying again (and again!). If they haven’t taken their first steps yet, they’re getting so close.
With all this non-stop activity, their brain is working overtime, making sleep a little chaotic. Plus, add in teething and separation anxiety, and it’s no surprise that nighttime wake-ups might return. The good news? These sleep disruptions are temporary, and your toddler’s sleep will stabilize again soon.
Knock, knock—who’s there? Yep, you guessed it. Another sleep regression.
At 18 months, your child is fully immersed in toddlerhood, and with that comes incredible growth—physically, mentally, and emotionally. With so much happening, they still need up to 14 hours of sleep to help process all the new skills and information they’re absorbing.
At this stage, your toddler is more mobile, more vocal, and way more opinionated. They’re eager to explore the world on their own and are starting to build their vocabulary—which means you’ll probably start hearing “No!” a lot more often. They’re discovering their own independence, realizing they have a will of their own, and (surprise!) they’re not afraid to express it.
This newfound independence can also come with a wave of separation anxiety, making bedtime more challenging. To top it off, first nightmares may begin around this time, leading to more night wakings and bedtime battles. It’s no wonder sleep takes a hit—but don’t worry, this phase will pass (even if your toddler insists otherwise!).
play. Their language skills are booming, and they’re not just talking—they’re negotiating, questioning, and (yes) contradicting you. With all this newfound independence, it’s no surprise that sleep takes a hit.
At this age, toddlers need longer wake windows to build up enough sleep pressure. If bedtime is too early, you might be in for stalling, bedtime battles, or night wakings. The key? Well-timed sleep and a consistent bedtime routine to help them wind down. This phase may feel like another round of sleep struggles, but like all regressions, it’s just that—a phase. Hang in there!
Happy Baby learns from your child’s sleep and provides you with a personalized sleep schedule for every day. This will help you both to navigate through these challenging phases.
Sleep regressions can be tough, but with the right approach, you can make this phase more manageable for you, your baby, and even your other children. You’ve got this!
Your baby feeds off your energy, so prioritize self-care. Go for a walk, sneak in a quick workout, or enjoy a quiet coffee break. A calmer you means a calmer baby.
A structured day gives your baby predictability and security. Keep bedtime consistent with familiar cues like reading a book or singing a lullaby.
Darken the room, reduce noise, and keep the nursery at a comfortable 65°F (18°C). Dress your baby appropriately—not too hot, not too cold.
Your baby may need more comfort than usual, and that’s okay. Give them the cuddles, gentle rocking, and nursing they need to feel secure.
White noise machines, relaxing music, or other soothing sounds can help create a calming atmosphere.
Sleep regressions are temporary phases when a baby’s or toddler’s sleep patterns suddenly change, often due to growth spurts and developmental leaps. These are a normal part of childhood and commonly occur around 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 months.
During these phases, babies and toddlers may struggle to fall asleep, wake more frequently at night, and take shorter or skipped naps during the day. The good news? Sleep regressions don’t last forever! Once your child adjusts to their new skills, sleep will gradually return to normal.
Parents can ease the transition by maintaining consistent routines, bedtime rituals, and a personalized sleep plan to help their little one through these challenging phases. Remember, this phase is temporary, and with time, your little one’s sleep will settle back into a rhythm!
Are you unsure whether your baby has sleep regression and would like to understand your baby's sleep patterns? With Happy Baby, you can record your baby's sleep and create an individual sleep plan that helps you through the difficult phases.
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