If you’re a parent, you know how challenging putting your baby to sleep is. And gets even more difficult when they are in a sleep regression phase. In this article we are going to learn what sleep regression in 14 month olds looks like and how we can manage it. So stay tuned!
Is there a 14 month-old sleep regression?
Sleep regression in babies happen when they suddenly start sleeping less than before, wake up more frequently and have more difficulty to fall back to sleep. Though this issue can happen at any time due to various reasons, some months are more likely to be affected by sleep regression.
Most sleep regressions happen in 4, 8 and 10 months. And some can happen in 14, 15 months and 18 to 24.
How much sleep do 14 month-olds need?
Most 14-month-olds need about 14-15 hours of sleep a day. They usually sleep around 11-12 hours at night and take two naps during the day, each lasting about 1-1.5 hours.
But every kid is different, so some might need more or less sleep. Just pay attention to your little one and go with what works for them.
Causes of 14 month sleep regression
Sleep regression during this age can happen due to many reasons. Some causes are related to their physical development and some according to their mental development.
Separation anxiety
Separation anxiety occurs around the age of 3 months all the way to 3 years, and they will grow out of it, as it’s a part of their development. At this time babies get more clingy and cry more often when their parents or caregiver leave, even for a very short time.
This can make bed time even more challenging as they refuse to fall asleep without their parents being there with them. Or they might wake up in the middle of the night and cry, when they don’t see their caregiver nearby.
At this phase, they can get used to falling asleep only when they’re held in their parents’ arms, which might be a problem later, when they refuse to sleep independently in their crib.
Developmental milestones
During the first 2 years of their life, babies learn a lot of new things and change pretty fast. These developmental milestones can affect their sleep schedule.
Around this month, they might start walking, talking and more. These new skills make their brain to work overtime and this can impact their sleep, resulting in sleep regression.
Also, the new skills make them excited. They would practice their skills even in bed and during their bed-time. This can affect their sleep, making them sleep less than usual.
Big and sudden transitions
Sudden changes in your baby’s routine can disrupt their sleep schedule. Moving to a new house, starting day-care or traveling can be considered a big transition for your little one.
And it takes a while for them to get used to this new normal.
Teething
Teething can be a real pain for babies, AND their parents. The discomfort due to teething caused by sore gums, drooling and all the pain can negatively impact sleep.
Illness or discomfort
Sometimes, an underlying health condition can cause sleep regression in 14 month olds.
Signs of sleep regression in 14 month-olds
Signs of sleep regression can slightly vary in each baby. Though, it’s important to know the symptoms and differentiate them from other reason why your baby might start sleeping less. So, let’s go over the most common signs of sleep regression at this age:
1. Sudden change in sleep patterns
They start waking up more frequently during the night and it’s challenging to put them back to sleep. Also their naps will get shorter during the day and their overall sleep time will not reach the normal 12-15 hours a day.
2. More crying and fussiness
Their fussiness and clinginess increases during this time, and they cry more often especially when it’s near their bed time. Some babies even refuse to sleep in their crib.
3. Developmental progress
As it was mentioned, if your baby is learning new skills like walking, talking and other motor and cognitive skills, their sleep schedule can change.
How long does this sleep regression last?
You’d be relieved to know that sleep regressions won’t last for long! It usually takes between a few days to two weeks.
If the sleep regression continues after 2 weeks, it’s recommended to talk to a healthcare professional, since there might be an underlying issue you haven’t considered.
How to deal with the sleep regression
It’s important to know the signs and causes of sleep regression, so that we can control this the phase the best way we can. There are several ways we can handle this time:
- Stablishing a consistent bed-time schedule. A consistent sleeping plan can help your baby to get in to a sleepy mood right before bed. You can also use different cues and techniques to put your baby to sleep in under a minute.
- Maintaining a calm sleep environment. It’s important for the bedroom to be dark and quiet. Try to control the temperature between. Also make sure your baby is in a comfortable and safe sleep position.
- Letting them practice their new skills during the day. This way they can make them less excited for learning before bed.
- Providing comfort for teething pain. If your baby is in their teething phase, you can provide teethers to help with their pain.
We know how difficult this time might be for your baby and you. But, with a little bit of patience and knowledge you can get out of this phase, safely.😌
Sweet long-lasting dreams!
