The Snooze Button: Baby & Toddler Sleep, Simplified · Brittany Sheehan Sleep

Scared Of Sleep Regressions? Don’t Be

February 26, 2025·15 min·1 clip

Brittany reveals why parents fear sleep regressions and how to reframe this common anxiety.

This episode of The Snooze Button, hosted by pediatric sleep consultant Brittany Sheehan, reframes the concept of sleep regressions for parents. Brittany, who runs Brittany Sheehan Sleep, directly addresses a common fear she encounters with her clients. She aims to demystify regressions and provide actionable strategies to prevent them from becoming major issues. Brittany explains that the term "sleep regression" describes a period when a previously good sleeper suddenly experiences frequent night wakings or nap refusals. She notes these phases are often linked to developmental milestones like learning to crawl or a surge in language acquisition. The host emphasizes that these regressions are not a sign of broken sleep but a normal byproduct of a child's brain rapidly developing. She argues that a child's sleep foundation, built through consistent routines and independent sleep skills, determines the impact of a regression. Brittany states that with a solid foundation, a regression might only cause a few rough nights instead of weeks of disruption. She advises parents not to delay sleep training out of fear of an upcoming theoretical regression. Instead, she encourages establishing healthy sleep habits proactively to build resilience. A key insight is that what is often labeled a regression is usually a temporary sleep disruption, not a permanent step backward. Brittany suggests that fearing regressions can lead parents to adopt reactive, short-term solutions that weaken long-term sleep habits. She claims that by understanding the developmental cause, parents can respond with patience rather than panic. The host proposes that a brief period of extra soothing during a disruption is fine if parents quickly return to their consistent routines. She believes the goal is to teach children the skill of connecting sleep cycles independently, which protects against regressions. Brittany concludes that parents have more control than they think and should focus on what they can build, not what they fear. The tone is personal, conversational, and directly educational, blending the host's own reflections with professional advice. Brittany speaks in a reassuring, coach-like style, aiming to empower her listener. Parents anxious about upcoming developmental milestones or currently in a sleep disruption would find this episode particularly validating and useful. Listeners seeking a highly scientific or data-heavy discussion of sleep studies might find the advice too anecdotal and based on the host's coaching philosophy.

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