Is There a 5-Month Sleep Regression? What’s Really Going On

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I know how confusing it can be when your baby suddenly stops sleeping well around five months. One night they sleep through, and the next they wake up several times.

This change is often called the five-month sleep regression. But is it really a separate stage or just part of your baby’s normal growth?

In this blog, I will explain what happens to your baby’s sleep around five months. I will share the common signs you might notice and some simple ways to make this time easier.

Understanding this phase can help you feel calmer and more prepared. If your baby’s sleep is different lately, keep reading.

I will try to give you clear answers and practical tips that actually work.

Baby Sleep Regressions – What’s the Big Deal?

Let me walk you through this, because I’ve been there, awake at 3 a.m. googling “Why is my baby suddenly not sleeping?”

If that’s you right now, take a breath. You might be facing what many of us call a sleep regression, and yes, it’s totally a thing.

A sleep regression is a period when your baby suddenly has a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep.

You’re probably wondering, when do these regressions happen? Based on what I’ve experienced and learned, the most common sleep regressions happen around:

  • 4 months (this one is major!)

  • 5 months

  • Between 8–10 months

  • 12 months

  • 18 months

  • And again around age 2

Not every baby hits all of these, and some might breeze through one and struggle with another. But these are the ages when many parents notice changes.

So, why do these regressions happen in the first place? Think of it as a growth spurt for your baby’s brain.

They might be learning to roll over, noticing new things around them, or figuring out how to babble. All that brain activity can mess with sleep, just like how adults sometimes toss and turn when we’ve got a lot on our minds.

Is the 5-Month Sleep Regression Actually a Thing?

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Here’s the honest truth: there’s no official, research-backed milestone called a “5-month sleep regression.” You won’t find it in every baby sleep book. But that doesn’t mean it’s all in your head.

A lot of pediatric sleep experts and consultants acknowledge that sleep struggles at 5 months are very real, even if they’re not always labeled as a separate regression.

“There may not be a textbook 5-month regression, but sleep often gets worse around this time due to ongoing developmental changes.”
Dr. Sarah Mitchell, Baby Sleep Consultant and Chiropractor

Many believe it’s a continuation of the 4-month regression or a result of babies hitting new milestones, like rolling over, grabbing things, or becoming more alert to the world around them.

“The 4-month regression doesn’t always end cleanly. For many babies, sleep continues to be rocky at 5 months as they adjust.”
Cara Dumaplin, Neonatal Nurse and Founder of Taking Cara Babies

And while scientific research hasn’t pinned down a “5-month regression,” it does confirm that infant sleep patterns are in flux for most of the first year.

In fact, studies show that babies’ night wakings tend to increase again between 4 and 6 months.

So even without a formal label, what you’re seeing and feeling is valid. Your baby may not be following a chart, but they’re certainly following their own rhythm, one that often includes a few bumpy nights around this age.

Warning Signs When Sleep Takes a Nosedive

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Knowing what to watch for can help you spot a sleep regression early and respond with confidence. Here are the common signs your baby’s sleep might be taking a hit around 5 months:

  • More Night Wakings
    Your baby wakes up more frequently than usual, sometimes several times a night, and struggles to go back to sleep on their own.

  • Nap Strikes or Shorter Naps
    Previously predictable naps become irregular, shorter, or get skipped altogether.

  • Extra Fussiness and Clinginess
    Your baby might be more irritable, cling to you more, and have trouble calming down at bedtime.

  • Difficulty Settling to Sleep
    Even when sleepy, your baby resists falling asleep, cries more, or needs extra comforting.

  • Changes in Feeding or Routine
    Watch for shifts in appetite, like wanting to feed more often, or disruptions in their usual daily schedule.

Recognizing these signs early can help you adjust your approach and support your baby through this temporary phase.

How to Survive the Sleep Challenges at 5 Months

Navigating the 5-month sleep regression can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies and a calm approach, you can help your baby and yourself get through this challenging phase smoothly.

  1. Keep Calm and Stick to a Routine
    Create a consistent bedtime ritual to help your baby know it’s time to sleep, think baths, lullabies, and cuddles.

  2. Optimize the Sleep Environment
    Make sure the crib is safe and clear of loose items. Use blackout curtains, maintain a comfortable room temperature, and consider white noise to drown out distractions.

  3. Encourage Self-Soothing
    Help your baby learn to fall asleep independently by avoiding too much rocking or feeding to sleep.

  4. Be Patient and Consistent
    Sleep disruptions are temporary; stay calm and keep following your routine even on tough nights.

  5. Know When to Seek Help
    If sleep problems last more than a few weeks or you notice worrying signs, talk to your pediatrician or a sleep expert.

Real Stories From the Crib – Case Studies

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When expert advice isn’t enough, real-life stories can make all the difference. Below are two case studies of families who faced unexpected sleep struggles right around the 5-month mark.

These examples shed light on how common and manageable this phase can be when parents understand what’s happening and make small, supportive changes.

Noah, 5 Months Old

Noah had been sleeping well until around 5 months old when he began waking frequently during the night and taking short naps.

His mother, Sarah, noticed that Noah’s frequent overnight wakings were largely due to the 4-month sleep regression, where a baby’s sleep cycles mature.

This causes babies to wake fully in between sleep cycles, and this is when their method of falling asleep becomes really important.

Sarah learned that Noah’s frequent overnight wakes were largely due to the 4-month sleep regression, where a baby’s sleep cycles mature.

This causes babies to wake fully in between sleep cycles, and is when their method of falling asleep becomes really important.

By implementing strategies to help Noah learn to fall asleep independently, such as adjusting his sleep environment and establishing a consistent bedtime routine, Sarah was able to improve Noah’s sleep patterns.

Over time, Noah began to sleep for longer stretches at night and take more consistent naps during the day.

Source: Little Ones Sleep Program

Cerys, 5 Months Old

Cerys, a 5-month-old infant, had been accustomed to being rocked to sleep for both naps and bedtime.

This routine worked well until she began experiencing frequent night awakenings and shortened naps. Her parents noticed that she would fully wake at the end of each sleep cycle and struggled to return to sleep without being rocked again.

This pattern led to disrupted sleep for both Cerys and her parents.

Upon consulting with sleep consultants, it was identified that Cerys was undergoing a sleep regression, commonly occurring around the 5-month mark.

The regression was attributed to her reliance on being rocked to sleep, which hindered her ability to self-settle when naturally waking between sleep cycles.

By gradually teaching Cerys to fall asleep independently, her sleep patterns improved, leading to longer stretches of uninterrupted sleep.

Source: Little Ones Sleep Program

Wrapping Up the Sleepless Nights

The five-month sleep regression can feel overwhelming for both babies and parents. It happens because your baby is growing and learning new things that affect how they sleep.

You might see more night wakings, shorter naps, or extra fussiness. This phase usually does not last long.

Sticking to a calm bedtime routine and helping your baby learn to settle on their own can really help. If sleep problems go on or you feel worried, talking to a doctor or sleep expert is a good idea.

Please share your experiences or questions in the comments. Your story could help someone else.

For more helpful tips and parenting advice, be sure to check out our other blogs!

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