Ah, your baby’s sleep regression. As a parent, you have to deal with many things as your small child grows. Feeding changes, growing pains, potty training. Sleep regression, another factor in your growing baby’s path to adulthood is another issue that may pop up around the period of 1 year or 12 months. According to WhatToExpect.com, “a 12-month sleep regression is a snooze setback in your baby’s regular nighttime schedule — and can happen even after months of solid Zzzs. This night waking may seem to appear out of nowhere, but it’s likely connected to all the new skills your little one is honing during the day. The milestones that can be pegged to a 12-month sleep regression include learning to cruise, taking those first steps (or trying to), and uttering first words (or more first words).” This period of time will usually only last about two weeks.
Here at Amodrn, we’re always willing you to give the latest on motherhood. Keep reading to learn more about 12-month sleep regression signs, including the 5 signals your baby might be experiencing this period in their life.
Why Does 12-Month Sleep Regression Happen?
Your baby, just like their parent, is constantly changing and evolving. These changes can attribute to how your baby sleeps. Their mind is constantly working, and these new experiences may be on their mind. According to WhatToExpect.com, there are a number of things in your baby’s physical and emotional life that may be causing a 12-month sleep regression, including walking, talking, night fright, resistance, and changes in how they sleep during the day.
Here Are the Major 12-Month Sleep Regression Signs
- They have trouble falling asleep or settling down for bed and naps: Is your baby fussy when they haven’t been when it’s time for them to take their usual nap or go to bed?
- Are they walking up at night?: If your baby is not sleeping through the night as they usually do, this might be a major sign of sleep regression.
- Being fussy: Is your baby cranky, throwing tantrums, or being a little more difficult than usual?
- Longer nap times: Your baby sleeping more through the day may be their way of making up for their loss of sleep at night.
Managing the 12-Month Sleep Regression Signs
To try and help your baby through the sleep regression they may be experiencing, we recommend you follow these tips when facing this dilemma. There is a lot you can do to manage this two week period of changes. Keep your baby as active as possible. This tires out the child so they are able to quickly fall asleep as they are tuckered out. Make sure to give your baby plenty of attention. The more you and your baby connect, the easier it is to stop a tantrum in its tracks. Patience with your baby is key. This is a temporary moment of time with your child, and you must be there for it until they go back to their regular sleep schedule.
If this period of time lasts longer than two weeks, you may want to chat with your doctor at their next visit. It is not super concerning, but they may have some incredible tips to share with you when this happens.
While you’re here, check our baby sleep expert’s tips on the four-month sleep regression.
