What to do during sleep regressions with sleep expert Daisy Oppelaar

What is a sleep regression?

“Sleep regressions are periods when your little's ones sleep is suddenly turned upside down. You may notice that they refuse naps or the naps are very short, they can no longer fall asleep independently, wake up more often at night, or wake up at the crack of dawn. Sometimes they're accompanied by fussiness or a reduced huger or thirst. Sleep regressions are linked developmental phases, that are often referred to as grow spurts. The most noticeable sleep regressions happen during key developmental milestones, such as learning to crawl, stand, walk, and talk.”

How do you deal with sleep regressions?

“Keep doing what you’ve been doing, so remain consistent and stick to your rhythm. Unfortunately, there's no magic potion that will make sleep regressions go by faster or make them easier. Your little one is learning something new, and they need some time! A common mistake during sleep regressions is that desperate parents offer an extra nap, which I would definitely not recommend. This changes your child’s rhythm, and the nights may even get worse. Try to rethink the situation and think of it from the sunny side: regression = progression! Your child is learning something new, and that's something to proud of as a parent.”

Do’s and don’ts during sleep regressions

“As I mentioned, don’t change your child’s rhythm. Extra naps only mess up the routine and don't aid in getting a good night's sleep. You can bring your little one to bed a bit earlier if they’re exhausted, but don’t do this before 6:00 PM, as it will again mess with their rhythm.

If your child wakes up crying during a sleep regression, wait to see if they will fall back asleep on their own, and if not, go comfort them. However, keep in mind that anything you add now to make sleep easier, such as rocking them in your arms, night feeds, or a pacifier, will need to be phased out later. So, don’t unnecessarily complicate things for your future self.”

And a word of reassurance: you will get through this! If you still need extra advice, check out the Dais and Nights website. There, you’ll find an ebook on sleep for little ones aged 0 to 18 months, and you can also request a consultation with Daisy for more personalized help.