Is This Another Sleep Regression?

As a parent, there’s nothing more discouraging than finally getting your baby into a good sleep rhythm—only for everything to suddenly fall apart. Your baby starts waking more at night, fighting naps, or refusing bedtime altogether. You’re left wondering:

“Is this another sleep regression?”

The truth is—probably, yes. And while the word regression sounds scary, it’s actually a sign of progress. Sleep regressions are tied to major developmental leaps, and they are completely normal.

The 4 Most Common Sleep Regressions

While babies can go through sleep disruptions at various stages, there are four ages where regressions are especially common:

1. 4 Months

This is one of the biggest shifts your baby will go through. Around this time, your baby’s sleep cycles mature from newborn “deep sleep” into the same 4-stage sleep cycles adults have. That means they now cycle into light sleep more often—and wake up more easily.

2. 8–10 Months

Separation anxiety kicks in here, along with big physical milestones like crawling, pulling up, and standing. Your baby is so excited about practicing these skills that sleep often takes the backseat.

3. 12 Months

At this age, babies are often transitioning from 2 naps down to 1. Add in a surge of independence, language development, and mobility, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for disrupted sleep.

4. 18 Months

The toddler stage brings even more independence—and opinions! Between nap resistance, bedtime battles, and language leaps, sleep can take a hit here, too.

How to Help Your Baby Through a Sleep Regression

While sleep regressions are normal, how you handle them makes all the difference. Here are some tips to ease the process:

✅ Stick with your bedtime routine. The predictability gives your baby comfort.

✅ Offer full feeds during the day. This helps rule out extra night wakings due to hunger.

✅ Respond with comfort, but avoid creating new sleep habits (like rocking back to sleep every time if that’s not sustainable for you).

✅ Stay patient. Regressions are temporary!

Why Healthy Sleep Foundations Matter

Here’s the good news: families with strong sleep foundations often get through regressions faster—or sometimes barely notice them at all. Why?

Because their baby already knows how to:

• Fall asleep independently

• Connect sleep cycles

• Rely less on “quick fixes” like rocking, bouncing, or feeding to sleep

That foundation acts like a safety net. Yes, regressions may cause temporary bumps, but instead of weeks (or months!) of disrupted nights, you’ll often see your baby adjust within a few days.

Ready for a Plan That Works?

If you’re exhausted and every regression feels like starting from scratch, you don’t have to figure it out alone. My Personalized Sleep Plans are designed to give you step-by-step strategies tailored to YOUR baby, their age, and their sleep needs.

Because every baby is different—there’s no one-size-fits-all fix.

👉 grab your sleep plan and start building the foundation that makes regressions easier, nights smoother, and your whole family more rested.