18-Month Sleep Regression: Why Your Baby Isn’t Sleeping
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We’re all well aware of the fact that having a newborn baby means embracing sleepless nights. From feeding sessions to diaper changes, there’s always something that crops up at night, requiring you to wake up. However, in most cases, particularly after the baby is around three months old, the nights get better. You will notice that the baby’s sleep patterns are more regularized, and you won’t have to worry about waking up much at night. There may be a few exceptions, but it definitely won’t be as bad as the initial days. Things seem to go well for months, and you’re enjoying peaceful nights where you can actually sleep. Or so you thought.
Somewhere around the time your baby turns eighteen months old, chances are that your baby has decided to pull all-nighters again! Your 18-month old may be going through sleep regression, and it’s a difficult phase for both mother and child (1). So, what is sleep regression, and what can you do about it? Read on to find out:
What Is Sleep Regression and What Causes It?
Sleep regression is a period during which your child suddenly has problems sleeping. They will either wake up at night and refuse to go back to sleep or find it hard to sleep in the first place. What’s interesting about sleep regression is that the child would have been a good sleeper before this period. It happens all of a sudden, and it can last for a few weeks. Although sleep regression often takes place when your child is around eighteen months old, it can happen at other points in your child’s life as well (2).
Your child goes through a lot of changes during their formative years. This includes the development of the brain and a rapid growth spurt. Several hormones are at play as well, which in turn can be a contributing factor. In addition to this, your child may also be teething. Teething can cause sore gums and discomfort, and this can ruin your child’s sleep. Separation anxiety is another causal factor. If your child has started sleeping in their own bed, the chances are that their sleep gets affected. They’re probably scared or uncomfortable with the thought of sleeping alone. All of these changes can disrupt your child’s sleep cycle, thereby resulting in sleep regression (3).
What Can You Do To Help?
While sleep regression is normal and usually an unavoidable part of your child’s development, there are a few things you can do to manage your child’s sleep regression:
- Keep A Tab On Screen Time
Babies love gadgets, and we’re dealing with a generation that prefers tabs and smartphones to cute, stuffed animals and toys. And it’s okay to let them explore these electronic gadgets, but make sure they do so in moderation. Too much screen time can affect your child’s sleep patterns (4). Make sure you avoid screen-time two hours before bedtime. And do not fix a television in your child’s bedroom.
- Create A Sleep-Friendly Environment
Make sure your child’s bedroom is a relaxing environment that is conducive to sleep. You can do this by choosing colors that are calming and relaxing. During bedtime, put the toys away, and make sure the child’s room is organized for the night. When your child wakes up at night, the last thing they must see are toys strewn about for them to play.
- Maintain Consistency
Like with all things, maintaining consistency is key. Stick to your child’s regular bedtime routine. If you have the habit of bathing your child before bedtime or reading a bedtime story, continue to do so. This way, your child won’t be confused about their lack of sleep, and the brain will relearn the old bedtime routine.
Sleep regression can be a trying time for you, but try to understand that your child doesn’t have it easy either. They’re going through changes they can’t possibly understand, so help them through it with patience and care. This is a phase, and it is bound to pass. Have you been managing your child’s 18-month sleep regression well? Let us know in the comments below!
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