Make an enquiry
  • Sleep advice
    • About us
    • Sleep Advice Videos
    • How to Spot a Sleep Problem
    • Case studies
    • FAQs
    • Safer Sleep
  • Parents
    • Sleep Packages
  • Professionals
    • Workshops
  • Shop
    • Sleep book
    • Teachers resource pack
  • Blog
Enquire Now

Call direct: 020 8444 0040

How developmental stages may impact your child’s sleep

6th January 2022 0 Comments

Human sleep undergoes continuous change from the pre-born baby through to adulthood; with the most rapid change in the first 6 months of life.

Just as you are gaining an understanding of your baby or child’s sleep and responding to their needs they go through yet another developmental leap. Some of these changes could interfere with the process of their sleep , sometimes known as ‘sleep regression’, giving you yet another challenge.

Anticipating these changes and their impact can make it easier for you to adapt to them and be ready to meet the challenges they may bring….

Six months to one year

 

 

  • The majority of your baby’s sleep is taken at night and it is still quite normal for your baby to wake at night.
  • Your baby now enter deep non-REM sleep at the start of the night and the amount of lighter REM sleep reduces to 30%.
  • Your baby’s sleep cycle length increases to around 90 minutes at night and about 45 minutes in the day.
  • By 6 months your baby will now have 3 distinct naps as they can stay awake happily for longer periods in the day.
  • Your baby will start eating solids at 6 months, which could initially cause abdominal discomfort.
  • Separation anxiety can start to develop around 7 months of age – this can cause sleep issues, but shows that your baby has a secure attachment to you.
  • By 9 months most babies drop their later afternoon nap.

Tip– Ensure naps are spaced evenly to avoid over tiredness late afternoon and at bedtime.

  • Your baby will start to advance with physical development such as sitting, crawling, cruising. Often these skills are practised in the cot at sleep time. Research has shown that the onset of new motor skills can lead to night-time disruption.
  • Your baby is beginning to understand simple instructions and say their first words. This can lead to sleep disturbance as your baby tries out new skills or simply has a busy brain.

Tip– Winding down bedtime routines are really important now

  • Teething – although babies vary in the amount of pain they experience it can often cause discomfort at night and result in night-time waking
  • Your baby may start to show signs of temper or resistance when not wanting to co-operate – its best to be as consistent as you can now with boundary setting

One year to 2 years

 

Around 12-15 months most children will drop to one daytime nap, consolidating all their day sleep into one longer period, generally taken after lunch.

Tip– Bring bedtime earlier to avoid your child being over tired and harder to settle at bedtime.

  • Your toddler may develop minor fears, for example of animals and loud noises- which can cause settlings problems at bedtime.
  • Your toddler may become strongly attached to one parent in particular.
  • They may have tantrums when frustrated.
  • Your toddler may experience separation anxiety and become upset when you leave the room – this can become more heightened at 18 months.
  • During this time your toddler is beginning to understand simple commands and language development is increasing.
  • Learning to walk, then climbing- can bring independence which can cause challenges at bedtime.
  • Your toddler enjoys listening to stories and may start to push boundaries for more.

Two years to 5 years

  • Your child may have dreams that become scary nightmares.
  • They may be afraid of the dark and don’t want you to leave at bedtime. They may suddenly ask you to leave a bedroom light on and the door open at bedtimes.
  • Your child may become “scared” to be in any room without you- which could lead to settling problems at bedtime.
  • Moving from their cot to a bed gives your child sudden freedom and could cause resistance at bedtime and night waking.
  • From around 3 years all your child’s sleep is now consolidated into the night sleep, as their nap reduces and then stops.
 

Tip-A nap at this age could affect your child’s sleep drive at bedtime and delay sleep on-set.

  • From 3 years old children many children begin to be dry at night and some will be out of nappies. Becoming aware of the need to go to the toilet; could disturb your child’s sleep.
  • During this age your child will become more independent and could resist your requests, e.g. to get dressed, clean teeth or put get into bed.
  • During this age your child will start nursery and then school – any big change like this could unsettle them and affect their sleep
  • From 3 years old your child will be able to wait for short periods-aiding bedtime.
  • They will begin to understand the concept of rewards- positive rewards can help to encourage behaviour changes.
  • By 5 years your child be will able to express fears, worries and anger with words
0 Comments

See what parents' say about us

  • When feeling overwhelmed by tiredness and in need of real sleep help, Millpond’s ‘Teach Your Child to Sleep’ is a much welcomed, well researched resource. This is an easy read with a practical nurturing approach that walks you and your child through to a good night sleep.

    Rozanne Hay, UK Representative and Director for Continuing Education IACSC International Association Of Child Sleep consultants
  • The Millpond approach is non-prescriptive and [their] book offers lots of choices for parents to match their own goals and parenting styles. I would heartily recommend it for anyone already experiencing problems with sleep or to set up good sleep habits proactively.

    Melissa Hood, founder of The Parent Practice
  • This baby and child sleep guide is the perfect combination of accessible science, Mandy’s years of experience and a mother’s warmth. I love the way things fall into place with Mandy’s clear and thorough explanations!

    Diana Hill, co founder of Essential Parent
  • Millpond’s brilliant blend of commonsense, encouragement and understanding – plus a highly logical strategy that is easy to implement – changed hell into heaven literally overnight. My entire family is thus indebted to Mandy and her team.

    Freya North, Author
  • I am a GP and would recommend Millpond to any sleep deprived parents; you cannot put a price on sleep. Thank you so much. I only wish I hadn’t waited 19 months.

    Vanessa, GP
  • We are so happy that we put our trust in you to help us with what has been a huge problem for our family for almost 2 years. We are finding time to relax and time for each other and I did not realise how much we missed this time.

    Ben
  • As a family, we were sleep deprived. The tailored plan for our son made it personal. I am really pleased with what we’ve achieved during the programme and I am thankful to Juliet and Millpond.

    Evrim.
  • We were at rock bottom. Our son has a neurological condition, so I was nervous and and wanted a sleep clinic who had experience of this and would adapt to the needs of our son. Our lives literally changed overnight!

    Shurron
  • Within weeks our son was waking only once a night. The investment we made into Millpond was one of the best we’ve ever made. It gave my son a solid night sleep and consistency. It gave me and my husband our sanity back.

    Shurron
  • I am delighted. I was aiming to go from 6+ wakes at night and feeding to sleep 100% of the time to 1-2 wake ups and some ability to self-settle. After doing the plan for less than 6 weeks my daughter started sleeping through the night.

    Katie
  • My daughter is now having quite a bit more than the average sleep for her age and it’s lovely to see her waking up naturally. I’m also waking up naturally and feeling much more refreshed for having a regular sleep routine myself!

    Louise
  • We are so happy we could jump for joy, we wish we had spoken to you ages ago. Using Millpond has built our confidence and made us feel on top of it at last. You really gave us some life back!

    Sarah
  • I live in Switzerland so it is really quite remarkable that Millpond was able to help me over the phone and by email. When you have slept you can deal with anything!!

    Melanie
  • We still can’t believe that such small changes have made such a difference to us and Alice. She has even slept through while on holiday in a travel cot.

    Louise
  • We are just so sorry we did not get in touch sooner as we went through 18 months of no sleep.

    Ann Marie
  • Thank you, thank you, thank you!! We never thought life could be improved so greatly. You showed us the light. Luka is much happier and loving his sleep now.!

    Diane
  • Alex is sleeping beautifully again and is now quite happy to lay in his cot singing until 7.30/745 am ( Godsend!) and sleeps very happily through the night again. Thank you so much!

    Sandy
  • Very happy to say that Joshua, who you helped us with, is now sleeping a regular 11 hours a night uninterrupted. In fact, getting him up some mornings is a real challenge!

    John
  • Mandy has been an absolute saviour at a time which was starting to feel quite bleak in terms of our little one’s sleep. The personalised advice and guidance has been invaluable.

    Mary

Would you like to be kept up-to-date?
Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter…

GDPR(Required)

Need sleep? …call us today direct on: 020 8444 0040

Companies we’ve collaborated with

Call direct: 020 8444 0040
  • Sleep Advice Videos
  • How to Spot a Sleep Problem
  • Case studies
  • FAQs
  • Sleep Packages
  • Workshops
  • Our Sleep Shop
  • Blog
Contact
e: sleep@millpondsleepclinic.com
t: 020 8444 0040
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
All rights reserved. Copyright © Millpond Sleep Clinic Ltd 2022