The term “regression” can be a bit misleading — what’s actually happening is a permanent developmental progression in how your child sleeps. Around 3–5 months of age, your child’s sleep cycles undergo a significant maturation process to become more adult-like. In the newborn stage, children alternate between just two sleep states: active (REM) sleep and quiet (non-REM) sleep. Around 4 months of age, they develop four distinct sleep stages: Stage 1 (drowsy), Stage 2 (light sleep), Stage 3 (deep sleep), and REM (active, dreaming sleep).
This maturation means that your child now cycles through all these stages each time they transition between sleep cycles. You might notice that a child who was previously sleeping in longer stretches suddenly starts waking every 1–2 hours overnight because they are now more aware of their surroundings when transitioning between cycles. The “regression” aspect of this change can manifest as frequent night wakings, fighting naps, shorter naps, and increased fussiness.
Whilst all children experience this maturation, not all will go through a noticeable sleep regression (my own included). However, if you do find yourself in the thick of it, this is an ideal time to start establishing solid sleep habits. The way your child falls asleep now will likely become their expected method of returning to sleep between cycles. It’s a great opportunity to start encouraging independent sleep skills.
About the author
Sally provides advice on the development of good sleep habits and healthy sleep foundations, her approach to sleep is holistic and nurturing with an emphasis on consistency and support.
