At some point during your time as a parent, you may experience stints where your baby or toddler fall into a poor sleep pattern. This could be a period that lasts for only several days, or for as long as a month (although it can feel more like a year!) and is called sleep regression and can sometimes be associated with developmental leaps. It can be disheartening if your child has been sleeping well for some time and then suddenly is waking every half hour or reluctant to take their much-needed nap.
Parents can find this time just as stressful as the child, as in most cases sleep regression comes out of nowhere for no apparent reason.
Why It Happens.
Sleep regression has been studied to occur at common times during the first two years of a child’s life, this is the same time frame where developmental milestones occur. Not all children will experience it at the same time and each baby is different—so if sleep regression is a known issue in your household, or one you haven’t experienced yet, both situations are completely normal. Usually at 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 18 and 24 months old, babies and toddlers can fall into a sleep regression cycle.
These are during milestones in your child’s life and can be caused by a plethora of reasons such as transitioning into a different type of sleeping pattern, making physical or cerebral developments, testing out their new found independence (like refusing naps!), separation anxiety, teething, spending more time awake, potty training, changing environments (such as a new toddler bed), nightmares, night terrors and almost every other cause you can imagine. Top tips to survive these hard times can be found below.
4-month sleep regression, 8-month sleep regression, 10-month sleep regression, 12-month sleep regression, and 18-month sleep regression.
- Consistency is key! Make sure you've secured a consistent routine around sleep.
- Swaddle or wrap your baby so they feel secure and warm.
- Ensure your child's room temperature is optimal for sleep, most good baby monitors will have in built temperature gauges
- Grab a Glow Dreaming sleep aid, it will keep your child's mind and body relaxed while inducing Melatonin.
- Lay your baby or child down to sleep drowsy, not asleep.
- Playtime! Give your child plenty of play time so they can learn all their new developmental skills while they're awake. (Find age appropriate toys for development in the article linked below!)
We have always been transparent that when introducing Glow Dreaming into your child’s bedtime routine, sleep regression may occur. It can be difficult for your child to adjust to a new environment, it takes them some time to get used to this new device that’s glowing next to them while they sleep. Don’t worry though! This type of sleep regression is extremely short lived and may only last up to around 6 days. With the added implementation of MSS Archangel, the most comprehensive sleep analysis system of its kind, our specialists focus on the psychological, behavioural and physical environment to find a solution that works with both you and your child’s needs and personalities.
The Good News
Sleep regression is only temporary! Thank goodness! Although it may seem like you’re constantly battling sleep issues, it’s a natural process for children. The biggest way to help transition your child during these regression cycles is through consistent bedtime routines with the help of your Glow Dreaming. You can reduce the regression periods dramatically when approaching bedtime with the use of the red LED light, turning on the pink noise setting and using our Glow Lullaby Organic Essential Oil for optimised sleeping.