3-Month-Old Sleep Regression: Ultimate Guide on How to Survive

Is your baby experiencing 3 month sleep regression? Are you struggling to get your baby back into a good sleep routine? Your baby has outgrown its old crib, and now they are just too big for it. Or perhaps, you have moved to a new place because of work or school, and your little one is struggling to adjust to their new surroundings. 

Perhaps something as simple as the weather has also taken a toll on their sleeping habits. Whatever the reason, if your baby is not sleeping well at night or keeping you up throughout the day, that means there’s a regression coming your way! 

As difficult and frustrating as this phase might seem right now, it’s completely normal and every baby goes through it from time to time. You see, babies grow fast in the initial months after birth. But as they grow physically, their brain also undergoes several changes during this time that impact how much sleep they need. A regression in sleep routine is one such side effect of these changes.

Okay – so what exactly does this mean? This means that your baby will go back to waking up frequently at night or not going to bed till late in the evening again for some time until they get used to it again and fall back into their regular pattern of sleep once again. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered!

What is a 3-month-old Sleep Regression?

Three-month-old infants, like all babies, go through periods of rapid physical development known as “growth spurts.” At the age of three months, children begin to show signs of intellectual and emotional development in addition to their physical growth. 

Because of all of these recent changes, infants who have just turned three months old might begin to experience sleep regression. The term “sleep regression” refers to a period of time during which a baby experiences a change in their normal sleep patterns and struggles to sleep through the night. The 3 month sleep regression is typically brought on by the fact that children who are three months old are, in general, significantly more awake and alert than they were when they were newborns. 

In addition, by the time a baby is 3 months old, they are beginning to show signs of separation anxiety and may have trouble falling asleep in their own beds. 

Why does a baby go through a sleep regression?

The first year of a child’s life is characterized by significant development in the patterning of that child’s sleep. During the first three months or so, the newborn will spend a lot of time with you, both during the day and at night. But after about three months of age, a lot of babies go through a phase where they have trouble sleeping. 

This indicates that all of a sudden, they begin waking up more frequently during the night and napping for a shorter amount of time during the day. Parents frequently ponder the factors that led to this development. Several explanations regarding 3 month sleep regression have been put forward. 

One explanation is that this is merely a natural progression of events. It is possible that as the baby begins to become more aware of her surroundings, she will begin to feel overwhelmed by all of the new stimulation and will require more reassurance from the parents during the night. 

Another possibility is that the baby is teething around this age, and the discomfort of teething can make it difficult for them to fall or stay asleep. No matter what the cause may be, 3 month sleep regression can be extremely frustrating for both the parents and the baby. The good news is that these disruptions in the baby’s sleep patterns typically only last for a few weeks before they return to normal.

3-Month-Old Sleep Regression: Symptoms to Watch Out For

The passing of the three-month mark is a significant achievement for infants. They start to become more aware of their surroundings and begin to develop a sleep-wake cycle. It is also during this time that they begin to become more alert. On the other hand, this newly discovered awareness may also cause a phase of disrupted sleep, which is referred to as the 3 month sleep regression. The following is a list of common symptoms that you should keep an eye out for:

• Your baby has difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep
• your baby is fussier than usual
• your baby’s naps during the day are shorter and less frequent than before
• your baby wakes up more frequently during the night
•  Overall, your infant sleeps less

How to survive the 3-month-old sleep regression?

The third month of life is a significant turning point for infants. Their sleep and wakefulness patterns begin to develop, and they become increasingly aware of everything around them. However, this newfound awareness can also lead to a phase of disrupted sleep that is known as the 3 month sleep regression. 

Do not give up hope if you are experiencing any of  3 month sleep regression symptoms! This  3 month sleep regression is only temporary and will end at some point in the future. In the meantime, here are some strategies that can help you deal with it:

• Create a ritual for when you get ready for bed, and try your best to stick to it.
• Allow the baby to be put down to sleep before the sleepiness associated with bedtime sets in.
• Make sure to be skin-to-skin with your child when he/she feels sleepy so that they feel comfortable.
• To ensure that they are able to remain calm while they are separated from their parents, have them perform a number of exercises that involve flopping on their bellies.
•  At bedtime, provide your baby with an atmosphere that is calming and soothing.
• Remember to have patience and to always keep in mind that this stage won’t last forever!

Strategies to help your baby sleep better during the 3-month regression

It is possible that at some point during the three-month sleep regression, you will have the impression that you will never again enjoy a restful night’s sleep. However, there are some things you can do to make it easier for your baby (and for yourself) to get through this challenging stage. 

First and foremost, make it a point to stick to a set pattern when going to bed. This will make it easier for your baby to settle down for sleep as well as let them know when it is time for them to go to sleep. Second, make sure that your baby’s sleeping environment is dark, quiet, and cool. This is of utmost significance for infants just starting out in their lives. 

This will help them feel more relaxed, which will lead to improved sleep quality. You could also try nursing or rocking your child to sleep if they are having trouble falling asleep on their own. These techniques can help calm your baby, which will ultimately lead to improved sleep for everyone. You can get your baby (and yourself) through the 3 month sleep regression and back to having restful nights of sleep with just a little bit of effort.

The Bottom Line

The  3 month sleep regression is one of the times that many parents find to be one of the most difficult. Babies may suddenly begin waking up more frequently throughout the night and napping for a shorter amount of time during the day. Both the parents and the baby may become frustrated and worn out as a result of this situation. 

It does not have a single, universally applicable treatment option. Every infant is unique and will respond differently to the various approaches. Nevertheless, there are a few things that might be of assistance. Your child will eventually be able to sleep through the night once again, and the sleep regression that occurs around the third month won’t last forever.