When Sleep Feels Like a Distant Memory: Navigating the 6-Week Regression with Heart and Grace
I had a call today with one of my postpartum clients.
She’s strong. Intentional. One of those mothers who pours herself into everything she does. But today? She was exhausted. Tearful. Frustrated. Her baby is six weeks old, and sleep feels like a thing of the past.
Maybe you’ve felt this too.
The kind of tired that settles in your bones.
When you can’t remember the last time you had a solid stretch of sleep—or even a coherent thought.
When you find yourself wondering if you’re doing something wrong, because nothing seems to be working.
You’re not alone. And you’re not doing anything wrong.
What Is the 6-Week Sleep Regression?
Right around six weeks, many babies go through a period of increased fussiness, frequent waking, and near-constant feeding. It’s often labeled a sleep regression.
But I want you to know something:
It’s not actually a step backward.
It’s growth. It’s development.
It’s a progression.
Your baby’s brain is expanding at lightning speed. Their sleep cycles are beginning to shift. They’re adjusting to the outside world in ways we can’t always see.
All of that can disrupt their sleep—and yours.
It’s hard.
It’s normal.
And no, it doesn’t mean you’re failing.
Why It Feels So Hard Right Now
At six weeks, a lot changes—not just for baby, but for you too.
•Your body is still recovering.
•The adrenaline that carried you through the first few weeks is wearing off.
•Your baby’s sleep becomes more fragmented, just as you’re craving rest more than ever.
Even when you know this season won’t last forever, it doesn’t make those middle-of-the-night wake-ups feel any easier.
And when your whole day is a loop of feeding, bouncing, soothing, and second-guessing… it’s easy to forget:
You’re doing something extraordinary.
How to Move Through This Season with More Grace and Less Guilt
Here are a few reminders you can return to—on the nights that feel never-ending and the mornings that start way too early.
1. Let Sleep Be the Priority
Forget the laundry. Postpone the to-do list. If someone offers help, take it.
Rest is not a reward. It’s essential.
2. Let People In
This isn’t the time to go it alone.
Call your doula. Text your partner. Lean on your circle.
You don’t have to carry it all.
3. Feed Yourself with Kindness
Keep nourishing snacks close. Drink water when you remember.
And when the self-doubt creeps in, speak to yourself the way you would to your best friend.
4. Learn Baby’s Rhythm—But Don’t Try to “Fix” It
Your baby isn’t broken.
They’re becoming.
It’s okay if they don’t follow the sleep chart or schedule.
You’re both learning.
5. Use Tools Without Shame
A sound machine isn’t a shortcut.
Wearing your baby isn’t spoiling them.
Asking for overnight help doesn’t mean you’re not strong.
These are tools. Use them.
Your Body Remembers. Your Ancestors Know.
The mother I spoke with today told me something I hear often:
“I just don’t feel like myself anymore.”
And I told her the truth:
You’re not supposed to feel like your old self.
You’re becoming someone new—someone softer, stronger, more expansive than ever before.
This season will stretch you, but it won’t break you.
You are not weak for feeling this way.
You are not alone for wishing it were easier.
You are not failing.
You are healing.
You are learning.
You are mothering.
From One Tired Mom to Another
This hard part? It won’t last forever.
But who you’re becoming in the process—that’s forever.
So if today looks like cereal for dinner, crying in the shower, canceling everything, or asking for space—let that be enough.
Because you are enough.
Need postpartum support that sees the whole you?
You don’t have to walk this alone.
Reach out to [email protected] to connect with care that honors your body, your heart, and the season you’re in.
