Just when you think you've finally nailed your baby's sleep routine—suddenly, they won’t settle at night and are fussing and crying for what seems like hours.
A few days ago, a mum I worked with emailed me in a panic. Her baby, now 7.5 months , who had been sleeping through the night for weeks after working together , was now taking hours to fall asleep, crying, and fussing non-stop. Sound familiar?
What you’re experiencing isn’t uncommon. Through the first year and a half, babies undergo 10 significant developmental milestones or leaps. These leaps are periods of rapid mental growth where your little one acquires new skills and abilities. Yes, it often feels like a regression because sleep becomes disrupted. But I like to think of it as a progression. Each leap helps your baby see and understand the world in new ways.
Understanding these leaps helps you know what’s coming and how to support your baby’s growth. Even though these phases can be tough, they’re actually signs that your baby is making great progress!
The Wonder Weeks book or app is a fantastic resource to understand when these leaps occur and what’s going on with your baby. It will help you anticipate changes and offer strategies to support better sleep during these phases.
Here's a chart summarizing each leap along with the new abilities your baby will gain:
| Leap | Age Range | Behavioural Sign | New Abilities |
| 1 | 4.5 - 5.5 weeks | Increased fussiness, clinginess | Sensory awareness, social smiling |
| 2 | 7.5 - 9.5 weeks | Longer wakefulness, interest in stimuli | Recognising patterns, varied cries |
| 3 | 11.5 - 12.5 weeks | Attempting to grab objects, rolling over | Coordinated movements, smoother transitions |
| 4 | 18 - 20 weeks | Interest in cause and effect, clinginess | Cause and effect understanding, purposeful play |
| 5 | 22.5 - 26.5 weeks | Separation anxiety, exploring objects | Object permanence, understanding relationships |
| 6 | 33.5 - 37.5 weeks | Frustration, resistance to routine changes | Categorization skills, sensory differentiation |
| 7 | 41.5 - 46.5 weeks | Need for structure, sequence exploration | Sequencing actions, imitation |
| 8 | 50.5 - 55.5 weeks | Independence, exploration | Creating routines, role-playing |
| 9 | 59.5 - 64.5 weeks | Testing boundaries, problem-solving | Understanding rules, complex problem-solving |
| 10 | 70.5 - 75.5 weeks | Assertion of independence, system understanding | Managing systems, complex associations |
Developmental leaps can be frustrating and exhausting, but understanding these phases can help you better support your child’s growth. As a Child Sleep Consultant, I remind parents that if your child has been sleeping well overall, these disturbances are typically short-lived. You’ll get back on track before you know it
If you child hasn't been sleeping well for a long time and you need guidance and support book a free 15 minute discovery call with me to see how i can help.
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