Sleep Regression: Why It’s Not a Step Back (and How to Support Your Baby Through It)

Anyone who lives with a baby knows that sleep is one of the most talked-about subjects — and also one of the biggest sources of questions, expectations and insecurities.Then one day, finally, everything seems to fall into place: naps flow smoothly, nights stretch a little longer, and the routine starts to feel steady and familiar.

And then, without warning, everything changes.The baby who was sleeping soundly begins to wake several times, resists sleep, cries more often, or seems restless — as if they’ve suddenly “forgotten” how to sleep.

That’s when many parents hear — or say — the familiar phrase: “My baby is going through a sleep regression.”But has your baby really regressed?Or could they be going through something much greater — and, in its own way, far more beautiful — than it first appears?

What Is Sleep Regression (and Why the Name Doesn’t Do It Justice)

A so-called sleep regression is a period when your baby’s sleep pattern changes for a few days or weeks.They may start waking more frequently, crying when placed in the cot, fighting naps, or suddenly seeming to have “forgotten” how to sleep peacefully.

But the truth is, there’s nothing wrong with your baby — or with you.Sleep doesn’t go backwards. What’s happening is that your baby’s brain is in full developmental overdrive.

This internal reorganisation can last anywhere from one to six weeks.It’s a temporary phase — sometimes tiring, often emotional — but once the brain settles, sleep usually finds its natural rhythm again.

During the first years of life, a baby’s brain develops at an astonishing pace.Every new skill — rolling, crawling, speaking, walking — demands deep internal restructuring.And because sleep is so closely linked to the nervous system, it mirrors these transformations in subtle yet powerful ways.

So what we often call a “regression” is, in truth, a sign of progression.Your baby is growing, learning and adapting.Their brain is forming new connections, their body is exploring new ways to move, and their mind is discovering the world.

Sleep changes because your baby changes — and that’s one of the most beautiful ways to witness development unfolding: to realise that even in the most unsettled nights, growth is quietly happening while your baby sleeps (or tries to).

Why Sleep Regressions Happen (and When to Expect Them)

During the first and second years of life, a baby’s brain goes through true learning marathons.Everything seems to happen at once: the body grows, the senses mature, and neural connections multiply at an astonishing speed.

What we often call sleep regressions usually coincide with developmental leaps — those moments when your baby learns something new, like rolling, sitting, crawling, walking, talking, or beginning to understand the world with fresh curiosity and intention.Each milestone brings a deep internal reshuffling, and sleep — always sensitive to change — adjusts to this rhythm of growth.

These phases aren’t linear; they come and go according to your baby’s unique pace.Still, there are certain moments when these transformations tend to be more visible and intense.

Around 3–4 Months

This is one of the most significant milestones in your baby’s sleep journey — the first major transformation. At this stage, your baby moves away from newborn sleep — short, fragmented and unstructured — towards more organised cycles that begin to resemble those of an adult.

This shift means that between one sleep cycle and the next, your baby now experiences brief, natural awakenings.If they haven’t yet learned how to settle back to sleep on their own, it’s common for them to cry, fuss, or need your comforting presence to drift off again.

At the same time, the world becomes brighter and more fascinating.Your baby starts to see more clearly, to recognise faces and voices, and to be easily captivated by everything around them. It’s as if the universe suddenly lights up — and their curious, alert brain begins to hum with activity.

That’s why sleep during this phase often becomes lighter and more fragmented.But remember: this isn’t a setback; it’s a sign of maturity.Your baby is learning a new way to sleep — and with time, presence and gentle consistency, balance will return.

Between 8 and 10 Months

This stage is bursting with discovery and movement.Your baby is mastering new motor skills — crawling, standing, climbing, reaching for objects, exploring every corner of the room.During the day, they want to practise constantly — and at night, their brain continues to process every one of these new achievements.

It’s common to find your baby “playing” in the cot, pulling themselves up, clapping, or babbling when they should be asleep.Their body may be tired, but their mind is busy rehearsing for a new chapter of independence.

Around this time, many babies also experience a peak in separation anxiety — a profound emotional milestone when they begin to realise that they are separate from their parents.Even short moments apart can suddenly feel overwhelming.

This new awareness can make bedtime more challenging.Your baby might cry when you leave the room, resist the cot, or wake several times just to check that you’re still nearby.

All of this is perfectly normal. It’s emotional development in motion — a phase that calls for presence, reassurance and gentle predictability.With patience and steadiness, your baby will gradually learn that your bond remains — even when they close their eyes to sleep.

Around 12–13 Months

This is a stage of great accomplishments — and great transformations.Your baby may be taking their first steps, and their vocabulary is expanding quickly.Every new word and every steady step represents a huge leap in both motor and cognitive development.

But with all this energy and curiosity comes a flood of stimulation.The brain works at full speed to process everything the body learns during the day, making sleep lighter, more fragmented, and more sensitive to change.

Around this age, many babies begin transitioning from two naps to one.This shift can temporarily disrupt the daily rhythm — especially late in the day, when tiredness builds but the body isn’t quite ready to rest.

This phase calls for observation and flexibility.Some days your baby may still need two naps; on others, one will be enough.The key is to respect their rhythm and ensure they have the time and space to slow down, reset, and find rest again.

Remember: sleep isn’t “getting worse” — it’s simply adapting to the new rhythm of a little one who now walks, speaks, understands, and is eager to explore the world.

Between 18 and 24 Months

Here begins a new chapter — the age of autonomy.Your toddler, now a little explorer, wants to do everything independently: choose their clothes, hold the spoon, open doors, climb steps, discover, and test boundaries.

It’s a wonderful phase, full of curiosity and self-confidence, yet also one of deep ambivalence.The growing desire for independence coexists with a continued need for closeness, predictability and emotional safety.

This is also the stage when separation anxiety often reappears or intensifies.Your child now understands that you are a separate person — and that when you go away, it may take a while for you to return.That awareness, still emotionally immature, can make sleep a true challenge: falling asleep means separating, and that can feel hard.

This mix of independence and fear turns bedtime into an act of trust.Some little ones cry when you leave the room, others want your company, and some resist sleep simply because they don’t want the connection to end.

But even though this phase may bring restless nights, remember: nothing is wrong.These changes usually last from one to four weeks and tend to resolve naturally as your child feels more secure.

Sleep, like development itself, is alive and ever-changing.These moments are not “problems” — they are reflections of emotional and cognitive growth; clear signs that your child is developing exactly as they should: with connection, curiosity and love.

How to Gently Navigate Sleep Regressions (and Support Your Baby Through Them)

Going through these phases can be exhausting — especially when you’re running on very little sleep yourself.But it is possible to move through this stage with more lightness, empathy and connection.The key lies in understanding what’s really happening and gently shifting your perspective: your baby isn’t “misbehaving” — they’re simply adapting to all the changes taking place within them.

Here are a few nurturing ways to support your baby — and yourself — through this time.

1. Maintain a Gentle Sense of Routine

Even when your baby seems resistant, don’t give up on bedtime rituals.Small, consistent cues — a warm bath, dimmed lights, a song, a cuddle, the familiar scent of the room — all send gentle signals that it’s time to slow down.

These simple gestures build emotional safety.They whisper: “It’s okay. The day is ending. I’m here.”

Your baby might resist their usual schedule, naps or bedtime routine — and that’s perfectly fine. You can adjust as needed, following their cues and wake windows without pressure.What matters most is preserving predictability — that invisible thread that holds the days together and reminds your baby that the world is still safe, even when everything inside them feels new.

Predictability is, above all, an invitation to relax — for your baby, and for you.

2. Maintain a Calming Sleep Environment

The sleep environment is a silent invitation to rest — and the smallest details can make a big difference.Use soft, warm lighting to signal to the body that it’s time to wind down.A gentle white noise can help mask background sounds and recreate the soothing steadiness of the womb.Keep the room comfortably cool, and choose loose, cosy sleepwear that allows your baby to move freely.

Every element of the environment tells your baby that this space is safe enough to let go.More than a beautifully decorated room, what truly matters is the feeling of protection they find there — the same safety they feel in your arms, translated into light, sound and comfort.

3. Offer Presence and Reassurance

During intense phases of development, your baby may crave more cuddles, more contact, more closeness.That doesn’t create “bad habits” — it builds connection.And connection is the foundation of emotional security, which nurtures both development and healthy sleep.

When your baby feels safe, their body softens, their nervous system calms, and sleep gradually finds its rhythm again. In these moments, presence matters more than any technique. It’s what quietly says: “You’re safe. I’m here.”

4. Be Mindful of Wake Windows

Overstimulation or overtiredness can make it harder for your baby to fall asleep and lead to more frequent night wakings.Respecting your baby’s wake windows — those ideal periods between naps — helps prevent exhaustion and makes bedtime flow more smoothly.

Notice their cues: a distant gaze, a yawn, slower movements or irritability all signal that sleep is approaching.Adjusting wake times in response to these signs helps your baby drift off more easily and with less resistance.

The secret lies in observing, adapting and responding — always with respect for your baby’s unique rhythm.

5. Take Care of Yourself, Too

Caring for a baby in the midst of constant change can be deeply demanding.And tired parents naturally find it harder to stay calm, patient and consistent — the very qualities babies need most.

So, accept help whenever you can. Rest when your body asks for it. Take small pauses to breathe. Practise self-care without guilt.Remember: looking after yourself is also looking after your baby.

A cared-for parent has a greater capacity to care — and from this exchange of care, true family balance is born.

A New Way to See Sleep

When we begin to view baby sleep as a reflection of development, everything changes.Restless nights are no longer setbacks but part of the natural — and necessary — process of growth.

The brain is learning, adjusting, reorganising.The body is growing and exploring.And the bond between you — built on closeness, eye contact and presence — strengthens with every awakening.

It’s not regression. It’s evolution.

These phases arrive, disrupt the rhythm, test patience and challenge limits.But, little by little, they pass — leaving behind a baby who is more aware, more confident and more capable.

The most important thing is to move through this time with empathy, respect and understanding.Remember: sleep isn’t taught — it’s built.And that construction unfolds in its own time, founded on what truly matters: comfort, connection and presence.

When your baby feels safe, their body rests.And when their body rests, the whole family breathes again.

If you’d like to understand more deeply what lies behind your baby’s changing sleep patterns — and how to support them through each phase — the Infant Sleep Academy is here to help. Our L.O.V.E. Method will guide your family with science, empathy and gentleness, helping you rediscover rest as it’s meant to be: natural, respectful and full of love.

By Mariana Friend

Infant Sleep Specialist, founder of the Infant Sleep Academy, and creator of the L.O.V.E. Method — a compassionate, science-based approach that honours each baby’s unique rhythm and nurtures rest through connection.