Sleep Regressions

Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot of questions about sleep regressions. Your little one has been sleeping through the night or taking great naps—then suddenly, everything changes. Maybe they start fighting naps, waking up multiple times a night, or rising way too early. Just when you thought you had a great sleep routine in place, it all seems to fall apart. Sound familiar?

In most cases, this is a sleep regression—a completely normal (yet frustrating) phase that happens as your child grows and develops. While regressions can be exhausting, they actually signal exciting progress! Often, they coincide with big cognitive and physical leaps, like learning new skills or becoming more aware of their surroundings.

Common Ages for Sleep Regressions

Sleep regressions often occur around these ages:
🍼 4 months
👶 6 months
👣 9 months
🎂 12 months
✨ 18 months
🎈 2 years

Keep in mind—every child is different! Some may experience regressions earlier or later, while others may skip them entirely.

How to Handle a Sleep Regression

The tricky thing about regressions? There’s no magic fix. They usually pass on their own, just as quickly as they arrive. The best thing you can do is stay consistent with your child’s sleep schedule and avoid introducing new habits that could become long-term sleep challenges.

I’ll be diving into each regression in more detail in an upcoming blog series, but for now, here’s a handy chart breaking down why these regressions happen and what you can expect at each stage.

Need support? If you’re unsure whether your little one is going through a regression or if you’ve developed some sleep habits that need adjusting, I’m here to help. Reach out anytime at nikki@nikkinelsonsleepconsulting.com—I’d be honored to support your family on your sleep journey!