10 Month sleep regression
Parents of small babies know the relief they feel when their baby falls asleep for longer periods. They may nap for as long as 5 hours at a stretch, around 3-4 months. As they age, the time between waking up and falling asleep increases to 10 to 12 hours.
Parents often notice that babies experience sleep regressions in the first year. This is a common time for normal regressions. What is a sleep regression? How common is it? And what can you do to restore your baby’s normal sleep pattern?
Definition
Sleep regression refers to a condition in which a baby, who had been sleeping well, suddenly experiences difficulty sleeping.
You may notice signs such as difficulty falling asleep at night or waking up more often during the night. Regressions in sleep can occur as early as 4 or 8 years old and later as a toddler.
How long will it last?
Don’t worry if you are currently experiencing a sleep regression phase. Sleep regressions usually last between two and six weeks. It may feel like you are going back to sleepless nights in infancy. But, this is only temporary.
What is the cause?
Experts agree that sleep regressions don’t indicate bad parenting. Instead of beating yourself up, remember that your child is constantly growing and changing.
Developmental gains and shifting schedules are possible reasons your child might refuse to sleep or have trouble getting to bed at night. It would be best if you also kept in mind that children who aren’t feeling well may have disturbed sleeping patterns.
Many babies start to crawl or pull themselves up to cruising at around 10 months. They might also be learning new words and language skills. It’s no surprise that their afternoon nap has lost its appeal or that they prefer to stay awake with you at night.
What are you able to do?
If you suspect your child has sleep regression, should you accept 2 to 6 weeks’ worth of sleep-related nightmares? We are against that.
Examine for signs and symptoms
Check first to ensure there aren’t any underlying issues such as an illness or reflux. Teething might also be a problem. Keep this in mind.
Keep to your routine.
It’s tempting for your child to try different techniques to get them back on track. It is best to stick with the same methods you used when creating a routine for your sleep. There are many options:
- As bedtime approaches, reduce stimulation and activity
- Sticking to a bedtime routine such as taking a bath or reading a book
- Put your baby to sleep when they are drowsy, not asleep
- Encourage self-soothing
Although it’s tempting to rush to comfort your baby whenever they wake up, you should limit that interaction. To calm your baby down, you can leave them in their crib and give them a pat on the back.
Find an expert
Talking to an expert is a good idea if your child has not slept well for more than six weeks. Talk to your paediatrician first to ensure no underlying conditions make it difficult for your child to get a restful night’s sleep.
A sleep specialist can help you with common sleep problems. These support options can be as simple as a phone consultation or in-home visits.
You Need
How much sleep should your baby aged 10 months get? Experts estimate that babies this age get between 12 and 16 hours of sleep daily.
This equates to approximately 9 to 12 hours of sleep at night and 2 to 4 hours of naps during the day, usually as an afternoon or late-afternoon nap. However, remember that every baby is unique and will not sleep within the same range.
Tips
These tips can help you determine if your behaviour is causing poor sleep for your baby.
- Be consistent with your bedtime routine.
- Remain calm and brief in late-night waking conversations
- Dimly lighten the baby’s bedroom or surrounding area.
- Make sure the temperature does not get too hot or too cold
- Do not feed your baby to go to sleep. Avoid feeding your baby close to bedtime.
Takeaway
Parents shouldn’t have to deal with sleep regressions, regardless of occurrence. Your 10-month-old child will need your support and flexibility to adjust as necessary.
This phase is temporary. You can overcome this temporary hurdle by creating strong routines that will allow you to sleep well in the long term.
