Is it just a sleep regression? Or something else... We've all been there—waiting, hoping, surviving. Your baby was sleeping just fine, and then out of nowhere, the wake-ups start. You tell yourself, "It’s just a phase. It’ll pass." And sure, sometimes sleep regressions really do resolve on their own. But what if they don’t? What if weeks (or months) later, your baby's sleep is still a struggle?

 

The misconception: “It’s just a regression. It will pass!”

You’ve probably heard this advice before: "It’s just a sleep regression. Give it time, and your baby will go back to sleeping well."

And yes, temporary disruptions in sleep due to developmental leaps, teething, or illness can improve on their own. But here’s the thing—if you’re stuck in unsustainable sleep habits while waiting for things to magically get better, there’s a chance this isn’t just a phase anymore.

 

The reality: A regression can quickly become a habit

Here’s how it happens:

• A sleep regression begins – Your baby suddenly wakes frequently or resists sleep.
• Survival mode kicks in – You start rocking, feeding, or co-sleeping just to get some rest.
• Weeks pass… and nothing changes – The "phase" is still going strong because your baby now expects those sleep habits every time they wake up.

If this sounds familiar, your baby’s sleep struggles may no longer be a temporary regression but a learned sleep pattern.

 

How do you know it’s more than just a regression?

If your baby or toddler only falls asleep with one (or more) of the following, and you feel stuck, it’s likely that a sleep habit has formed:

• Rocking or holding until fully asleep
• Feeding every time they wake up (even if they weren’t doing that before)
• You lying next to them until they doze off
• Motion sleep (stroller, car, etc.)

The good news? Instead of passively waiting for sleep to improve, you can take small, intentional steps to break the cycle and create sustainable sleep habits.

Also, be sure to take a look at my FREE sleep regression flowchart if you're still unsure whether it's a sleep regression or not.

 

How to get sleep back on track

If your baby’s sleep has gone off the rails, you’re not alone. The key is to be proactive rather than waiting it out. You can start by:

• Creating consistent, predictable bedtime routines
• Gradually removing sleep associations that aren’t working for you
• Teaching your child independent sleep skills so they can resettle on their own

 

Need a plan of action?

If you’re ready to move past the endless wake-ups and teach your baby to sleep independently, my Sleep Coaching Crash Course (4-24 months) can help! This course walks you through exactly how to:

✅ Teach your baby to fall asleep independently in their crib
✅ Night wean (if needed) and reduce night wakings
✅ Follow a clear, day-by-day sleep training plan
✅ Feel confident and consistent—so your baby actually sleeps!

You don’t have to wait and hope for better sleep. You can take action today. Check out my sleep coaching program to get started. Let's teach your little one how to love sleep!