Is your child having trouble falling asleep and are their naps becoming shorter or irregular? They may be going through a sleep regression phase. These periods can come with a lack of sleep, both for your child and for you, sometimes with noticeable daytime drowsiness. Should you be worried? Sleep regressions in children: here’s what you need to know.
Should you be worried about sleep regressions in children?
The term “regression” is a controversial term because it has a very negative connotation even though it is sometimes a phase of normal development in children. In practical terms, what we might call a sleep “regression” is a sudden disruption in sleep, which can occur at different points in a child’s life. This phenomenon does not affect all children, but when it happens, it is completely normal and should not worry you. 
How does a child’s sleep develop?
Sleep, in children as in adults, is structured in cycles. It begins with a falling-asleep phase, then several cycles follow throughout the night. Each cycle is made up of two main types of phases. Quiet phases correspond to non-REM sleep, which is more or less deep, during which brain activity gradually slows down. This sleep supports physical recovery and overall rest. Conversely, phases of intense brain activity are called REM sleep. During these periods, the brain is as active as it is when awake. This is when dreams occur, accompanied by rapid eye movements, which are characteristic of this type of sleep. A night generally includes four to six cycles, each alternating non-REM sleep and REM sleep. The length of cycles and the proportion of each phase change as your child grows. Finally, sleep needs vary from one child to another. However, a minimum amount of sleep remains essential to ensure healthy growth and good daytime well-being. 
What are the signs of sleep regression in a child?
Sleep regression in a baby can show up in different ways. Here are a few tell-tale signs:
- sudden difficulty falling asleep,
- more restlessness at bedtime,
- an increase in appetite or more frequent nighttime feeds,
- more frequent night wakings,
- disrupted naps.
These signs obviously vary depending on your child’s age. 
Why is my child going through sleep regressions?
In most cases, these phases appear in connection with a recent change in your child’s daily routine or environment. For example:
- After a family vacation during which they got used to sleeping in a different setting.
- During a change in their environment: starting daycare, school, a bedroom change or even parental separation.
- During periods of new milestones: crawling, walking…
- During a viral illness or teething.
Sometimes the change may seem minor to you, but it isn’t for your child: moving their bed around, a new child arriving in their childcare setting… These changes can also trigger a sleep regression. Want to learn more? Feel free to download the May app, where you’ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your journey as a new parent. 
When do sleep regressions occur in a child?
Even though studies don’t clearly explain why, we observe that these sleep regression phases occur more often at certain key stages of a child’s development, including:
Sleep regressions around 4 months
This is often referred to as the “4-month awakening”: the baby experiences a big relational awakening and a significant phase of emotional development. They increasingly seek connection and to discover the world. Their sleep organization also evolves, with the appearance of lighter sleep phases, which can explain more frequent awakenings.
Sleep regressions around 7–9 months
With crawling, your baby gains autonomy. This period can also be marked by the first teething episodes and increased sensitivity to separation from their attachment figures.
Sleep regressions around 12 months
They learn to walk, their emotions are still very intense, and their cognitive development is very active.
Sleep regressions around 18 months
Awareness of separation may still be present, and they continue to acquire new motor skills.
Sleep regressions around 2–3 years
Your child asserts themselves more and learns to talk. They can now also make choices and try to negotiate bedtime.
Sleep regressions around 3–4 years
Regressions can still occur after age 3, with nightmares and nighttime fears disrupting sleep.
How long does a sleep regression period last?
Fortunately, regression phases do not last forever. On average, they last between 2 and 3 weeks. 
What should you do during these sleep regression phases?
It’s not always easy to know how to respond during these regression phases. To guide you as best as possible, here are a few tips:
- Keep the same bedtime as usual.
- Continue following the same evening routine to reassure your child. A consistent bedtime ritual helps them fall asleep by giving steady cues.
- Prioritize calm activities in the evening (why not a little reading?).
- Support your child and try to stay as flexible as possible.
- Reassure your child if needed, without introducing new habits you wouldn’t want to continue afterward (for example, if they had stopped eating at night, don’t start offering food again).
If your child cries, you can:
- Stay by their side at bedtime, soothe them with gentle strokes and make contact with your hand. This can help them regain calm. For some children, it may be more effective to go in and out to reassure them occasionally rather than staying next to them constantly (which can keep them alert and prevent them from falling asleep).
- Try to stay calm if they keep crying. It’s important to remember they are not doing it to annoy you. If you feel your tolerance threshold has been reached, don’t hesitate to step into another room or hand off to someone else. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed sometimes.
These approaches don’t work for every family or every age. There is no one-size-fits-all method, and the key is to choose a solution that aligns with your child’s needs. 
When should you seek advice during sleep regression phases?
There is no need to worry about sleep regression phases. You simply need to be patient. If you’re unsure, you can talk about it with your healthcare professional, or go to May messaging and ask all your questions to our pediatric nurses, who can advise you. In short, this isn’t a setback or a problem, but rather a normal evolution of sleep linked to your child’s neurological, emotional, and motor development. Sleep changes and becomes more complex, which can temporarily make it more fragile. Sleep regressions are natural and contribute to your baby’s development. They generally don’t last very long and should not worry you. ** Photo credits: YuriArcursPeopleimages | leungchopan | puhimec | drazenphoto | Johnstocker This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.
