Navigating Sleep Support and Regression for Children from Birth to Three Years

Understanding the sleep needs of your child can be overwhelming, especially in the first three years when significant growth and development occur. Each growth spurt, mental leap, or skill development can impact sleep (often referred to as a sleep regression). While it seems negative on the outside, it is a testament to your baby growing into a person! This blog post aims to provide insights into general sleep support and regressions to help frustrated, tired parents make sense of what is going on and how to support their child's sleep.

Understanding Sleep Patterns in Infants

From birth, sleep patterns will drastically change as your child grows. In the first 6 weeks, your baby will sleep anywhere from 14-18 hours broken up by a lot of naps and very small wake window lengths.

During the first few weeks, infants have a natural sleeping rhythm that doesn't align with a typical day-night pattern. They haven't established circadian rhythms, which is honestly a good thing since their stomachs are small and require to be fed every 2-4 hours (even overnight). Recognizing that these sleep patterns are normal can help alleviate some of the stress parents may feel.

As your baby transitions into a three-month-old, you may start to observe some consistency in their sleep patterns. By this age, the nap lengths and wake windows increase and the total sleep total goes down to 11-15 hours. A more predictable daily rhythm may start to emerge and we are left wondering, "What do I do now?"

This is a pivotal time for cultivating healthy sleep habits.

My son, sleeping peacefully after a long day of travel, teething molars, and coming over a cold.

Common Sleep Issues and Solutions

Discomfort: Many infants may experience digestive discomfort which can disrupt their sleep. Gassing your baby (doing bicycle legs or clockwise belly rubbing) can help alleviate digestive discomfort. For other discomforts, the 5 Ss can help: Swaddling, Side/Stomach holding (always place a baby on their back for sleep), Shushing, Swinging, and Sucking. This mimics the feelings within the womb and can be an effective way to soothe a baby during the "4th trimester". As a side note, we recently learned our son has gastrointestinal issues that were silent. Always trust your gut! I was convinced he had tummy pains and it wasn't until we switched pediatricians that we were able to confirm this and get the support our son needed to sleep more deeply.

Colic: Some babies may experience unexplained fits of crying, or colic. Colic is defined as crying that meets the following criteria: 

• Occurs for more than 3 hours per day

• Occurs for more than 3 days per week

• Occurs for more than 3 weeks

Overstimulation: New experiences can be overwhelming for infants. Creating a calm, quiet environment can help your child wind down and prepare for sleep. Many newborns feel very comforted being close to their parents through skin-to-skin or babywearing. If your newborn is especially overstimulated, you can try these comforts in a dark room.

Routine is essential! Consider implementing bedtime rituals such as a warm bath, gentle massage, or reading a story to signal that it's time to sleep.

Sleep Regression Phases

Sleep regression often occurs around 4 months, 6 months, 8-10 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months. These phases can be triggered by developmental milestones, increased cognitive abilities, or even growth spurts. While I'm not a fan of calling these regressions since they're a sign of brain development and growth, it is often viewed as a regression as parents tend to see a negative shift in sleep (often temporarily if good sleep foundations are set).

General Signs of a Sleep Regression:

• Increased night wakings and trouble falling asleep.

• More fussiness, crying, or agitation at bedtime.

• Resistance to naps or shorter sleep periods.

• Increased hunger and more frequent feedings.

• Restlessness from new cognitive or physical milestones.

General Sleep Support Tips for Managing Sleep Regressions

• Stick to a Consistent Bedtime Routine: Familiar routines provide comfort and predictability.

• Offer Extra Feedings if Needed: Growth spurts often accompany regressions, leading to increased hunger.

• Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment: A dark, quiet, and cool space helps promote better sleep.

• Encourage Independent Sleep Skills: Allow brief pauses before intervening to help babies learn to self-soothe.

• Give Plenty of Opportunities to Practice New Skills: Practicing rolling, crawling, or walking during the day can minimize nighttime disruptions.

• Provide More Comfort and Reassurance: Separation anxiety peaks during certain regressions. Extra cuddles and reassurance help ease the transition.

• Ensure Adequate Daytime Activity: Plenty of outdoor play and physical movement can help regulate sleep.

When to Seek Help

If sleep issues persist or significantly affect your child's mood or health, consider consulting a pediatrician or sleep expert. If sleep issues negatively impact either parent's ability to work or respond calmly to your child, that is another sign that you may need to work with a sleep consultant.

Persistent sleep problems can signal underlying medical concerns, and it’s essential to address these as needed. A good order of operations would be to first try implementing a consistent nap/bedtime cue, double check with your pediatrician that there is no illness or underlying medical concern, and then seek out a pediatric sleep consultant for specific troubleshooting.

In the case of our son and his GI issues, our evidence to our pediatrician was that we had tried all the tricks and tools for proper sleep and he still wasn't sleeping well. His sleep improved, he was able to quickly fall asleep (usually independently even), but was still waking frequently. This coupled with potty training issues is what uncovered his medical concerns and we were finally able to get medical support. Had we not had solid sleep skills, this would have been much harder to advocate for since his only symptom of GI problems was frequent night wakes.

The Role of Parenting Self-Care

Navigating sleep support and regression can be exhausting for parents. Prioritizing self-care is essential, as your well-being directly impacts your ability to care for your child.

Engaging in short breaks, practicing relaxation techniques, or leaning on support from family can recharge your energy and patience. On of my personal favorites is listening to Nidra Yoga. This allows me to focus on the present, my body, and calm my nervous system. On nights where I struggle to sleep, this allows me to relax and let go to fall into sleep.

A peaceful nursery designed for sleep. The crib is free of toys, blankets, or other potential hazards.

Conclusion

The early years of your child’s life are filled with rapid changes. Understanding sleep regression stages is vital for fostering a healthier sleep routine. Recognizing the signs of regression, being consistent with bedtime routines, and creating a peaceful sleep environment can make a world of difference for both you and your child.

By arming yourself with knowledge and practical tools, you're better prepared to navigate these challenging yet rewarding years. Remember, it’s okay to seek support when needed, and taking care of yourself is just as important as caring for your little one. Happy sleeping!

For more information on wake windows, general sleep practices, and regressions, check out my services page for resources (some are even free!) or book a consultation call.