The 10-month sleep regression occurs when your baby’s sleep is interrupted as he or she grows older. This can result in less or no sleep, increased crankiness at bedtime, and nighttime wakings.

Any parent of a small child understands the comfort that comes with their child sleeping long periods. Around the age of three to four months, babies begin to nap for up to five hours at a time. That interval increases to roughly 10 to 12 hours as they grow during that first year.

Many parents, though, find that babies frequently have sleep regressions during the first year of life. This common setback is thought to occur around the 10-month point. So, what exactly is a sleep regression, how prevalent is it, and what can you do to help your kid get back on track with his or her sleep schedule?

Meaning

A sleep regression is described as a period in which your baby, who had previously slept well, begins to have difficulty sleeping for no apparent reason, like sickness.

Symptoms can range from difficulty falling asleep at night to getting up almost daily. Sleep regressions can begin as soon as four or eight months of age, or even later in the toddler years.

Yet, the idea of defined sleep regression months is not universally accepted by professionals. This lack of agreement is because these stages might occur at any age and not always at the same time. While most experts say that regressions can occur, many are skeptical about allocating timelines to them.

Is There a Time Limit?

Don’t give up if you’re having trouble sleeping. Sleep regressions usually last two to six weeks. So, although it feels like you’re returning to your childhood sleepless nights, keep in mind that this is only temporary.

What Is the Root of This Problem?

Sleep regressions aren’t considered a symptom of poor parenting, according to specialists. Rather than belittling yourself, remember that your baby is growing and changing constantly.

There are a variety of reasons why your child might refuse to sleep or struggle to go to bed at night, ranging from developmental milestones to a shifting schedule. Bear in mind that if a child isn’t feeling well, his or her sleeping patterns may be disrupted.

Many babies start crawling or pulling themselves up to cruising and strolling around the age of ten months. They may be discovering new words and improving their language skills. With all of that activity, it’s no surprise that their afternoon sleep is fading and they’d rather spend the night with you!

However, failing to stick to a more fixed sleep pattern for napping or bedtime can play a role. If your child has trouble falling asleep and staying asleep throughout the night, establishing a schedule can help.

Similarly, nighttime routines such as feeding newborns until they fall asleep or holding them until they’re sound asleep can lead to sleep disruption. Babies may wake up in the middle of the night, wondering why they aren’t eating or where their parents have gone. You may be fostering separation anxiety in the latter circumstance.

What Options Are Available to You?

So, if you feel your child is suffering from sleep regression, should you just accept 2 to 6 weeks of nightmares related to sleep? That is something we reject.

Examine for Illness

To begin, ensure your kid’s sleep schedule isn’t being disrupted by an underlying condition such as a sickness or reflux. Other concerns, such as teething, could also be the source of the problem, so keep that in mind.

Maintain a Routine

Don’t use new ways to help your child get back on track, even if it’s tempting. It’s advisable to stick to the tactics that worked the first time you tried to establish a sleep schedule. Among the most common choices are:

Self-Soothing Is Recommended

It’s natural to just want to run in and comfort your baby whenever they wake up, but you must limit your interactions with them. Alternatively, keep your baby in their cot and offer them a soothing pat or stroke on the back to help them relax.

Consider Using Ferber’s Method

The Ferber method, sometimes known as the “cry it out” method, is a sleep-training strategy. It’s designed to foster self-soothing by responding to your baby’s screams for shorter and shorter periods.

If you use this technique, remember that you’re just checking in on your infant during the periods of progressive waiting, not soothing them back to sleep. You could be listening to your kid cry for a long period if you have an extremely determined child.

If you’re one of those parents who think crying it out isn’t an option, there are also milder sleep training approaches that don’t necessitate a strict approach to promoting regular sleep patterns.

Look For a Specialist

If your child’s sleep schedule hasn’t improved after more than six weeks, it’s time to consult with a professional. Consult your pediatrician to rule out any underlying issues that are preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep.

You might also think about engaging with a sleep specialist who can help you with typical sleep problems. This assistance might take the form of a phone chat to in-home or overnight visits to analyze your problems and offer particular solutions.

Suggestions

Keep these suggestions in consideration if you’re wondering if your parenting habits are leading to your baby’s sleep deprivation.

Conclusion

Parents don’t enjoy sleep regressions, regardless of when they occur. Help your 10-month-old during this time and be willing to make changes as needed.

However please note that this is only a phase. Building solid habits will help you in overcoming this short-term roadblock and prepare you for long-term sleep accomplishment.