The 4-Month Sleep Regression
While baby sleep problems can start at all ages, the most common age for significant sleep problems to start is three to four months old. This is because [as] a baby’s brain develops; Instead of sleeping in “deep sleep” much of the time, like when they are newborns, they start to sleep more like an adult. This means they spend four to five hours in deep sleep and then have to go through sleep cycles. Because of this, some babies struggle to put sleep cycles together without a parent’s help. At this time, many babies will start to wake up frequently at night or take short naps. Some call this period of time the “4-month sleep regression”.
Sleep Problems Don’t Have A Set Age
In my experience as a sleep expert, there’s not a uniform age [when] sleep problems typically begin because it largely depends on various factors, such as lifestyle habits or health conditions. However, certain age groups do show consistent trends.
For example, sleep issues often become apparent during infancy, particularly between four to six months, when sleep regression can occur. Insomnia and other sleep-related problems are also common among adolescents and adults over 40 due to hormonal changes and lifestyle factors. But it’s important to note that sleep disorders can occur at any age and are not limited to these specific age groups.
3 To 5-Year-Olds
From my experience, sleep problems usually arise in children around the ages of three to five years old. During this time, it is common for children to have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep due to developing sleep habits, fears of the dark, and other anxiety-related issues. As they grow older, new challenges can emerge, such as school stress or lifestyle changes that make it more difficult to get a restful sleep.
Parents and caregivers need to be aware of these changes, understand their children’s unique needs, and work together with the child to establish healthy sleep habits that will benefit them in the long run. Sleep can profoundly affect overall mental and physical health and should not be taken lightly.
Infants And Toddlers Experience Regression
Based on my clients’ experiences, sleep problems can arise at any stage of life. Infants and toddlers may experience sleep regression and frequent awakenings, while children can face bedtime resistance, night terrors, and other bed issues.
Teenagers may struggle with delayed sleep phase syndrome, among other sleep issues, and adults may encounter sleep issues due to various factors, including stress, work-related factors, lifestyle choices, and other underlying causes.
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