Just when you thought you had your little one’s sleep routine down, your baby or toddler throws a wrench (or bottle!) in it. Suddenly, they are fighting naptime and waking up throughout the night. If sleep is something you were counting on, this is probably a living nightmare. Will you ever have afull night's restagain?
Don’t panic! Your child may be facing a case of sleep regression.
“Sleep regression is a term to describe a baby who previously slept well and is all of a sudden not sleeping well anymore,” saidSuzanne Nielsen, MD, a pediatrician withBanner Health Centerin Gilbert, AZ. “While we often hear parents concerned about sleep regression around 4 months of age, it can really happen at any time for many different reasons that are completely normal.”
The most common causes for a new onset of sleep problems include:
- 例程中的变化（即，纳瓦蒂，睡前）
- Traveling or vacations
- Illnesses, such as a cold orear infection
- 出牙疼痛
- Moving from a bassinet to a crib
- Reaching a new majordevelopmental milestone, such as learning to crawl or walk
Signs of sleep regression
While the signs of a sleep regression can vary child to child and age by age, here are some possible signs to look out for:
- Waking up frequently throughout the night
- Struggling to fall asleep
- Resisting naptime
- Fussier and crankier
How long does a sleep regression last?
Have no fear, your baby won’t have sleepless nights for too much longer. Although, you may have some sleepless nights in your future when they become a teenager!
“Usually sleep regressions only last a few days, or however long it takes to get used to a new routine, milestone or recover from an illness,” Dr. Nielsen said. “If you have concerns that your baby isn’t getting adequate sleep, if they seem sick, in pain or any other major concern, it’s a good idea to take them to the doctor to be checked out.”
管理睡眠回归的提示或幼儿
Here are some helpful tips sure to help you and your baby get more shut-eye:
- Routine, routine, routine!Babies thrive on a good routine. They are easier to calm and relax for sleep if every naptime and bedtime is the same, so they know what to expect.
- Ensure they aregetting enough sleep.An overtired baby can cause problems at night.
- Read a book.Reading a few books together before going to sleep is a calming practice and great for your baby’s language development and bonding.
- Black out the room.Keep the room they sleep in dark by closing curtains or shades so no light filters through.
- 尽可能让他们自我安抚。If your baby starts crying, give them a few minutes to fuss before running over to respond. Sometimes, they may self-soothe themselves back to sleep. If they don’t, enter the room, pat their head, tummy and reassure them. Try to avoid picking them up and rocking them to sleep as they can become dependent on this habit.
Call your baby’s doctor
虽然睡眠回归几乎在他们开始时尽快结束，但如果您对他们的睡眠或潜在原因有疑虑或疑问，请与您的孩子的医疗保健提供者联系。到help find a Banner Health specialist, visit bannerhealth.com.
All things baby and sleep
Check out these helpful Banner Health blog posts to help improve your child’s sleep:
- Safe Sleep Practices for Baby
- 5迹象您的孩子睡眠不佳，如何帮助
- Is My Toddler Getting Enough Sleep Each Day?
- Nightmare or Night Terror? How to Help Your Child
