Toddler Sleep Regression 101: What To Do When It Takes Over Your Nights

By the time your child turns one year old, you might be pretty darn stoked about how well they’re sleeping. Long gone are the bleary-eyed sleepless nights, you think to yourself. You really aced this sleep training thing, you say. And then it happens — toddler sleep regression, aka one of parenting‘s little reminders of how laughable it is to be smug when you’re raising tiny humans. Kids always find a way to one-up you (and deprive you of sleep). Of course, you can’t just not sleep. So, what do you do when your toddler suddenly decides to go on a snooze strike? And when does toddler sleep regression happen? Not to mention, why?! Seriously, because you’re exhausted.

Alas, sleep regression is simply one of those things that kids go through and grow through. On the plus side, it doesn’t last forever and won’t undo all of the progress you’ve made with their nighttime routine. Here’s a rundown on what you can expect.

What is sleep regression?

Sleep regression describes what happens when your child just stops sleeping through the night the way they did post-sleep training. Or perhaps your little one practically sleep-trained themself into a well-established schedule of slumber — and suddenly all of that seems to vanish. Maybe they’re struggling to fall asleep or stay in bed. They might even be waking up for extended periods at night.

The point is they’re just not getting those 11 to 14 hours of sleep they’re supposed to get. In turn, that means you’re not getting your high-quality alone parent-time at night or your medium-quality parent-sleep at night. And while it may be normal, it’s definitely doesn’t feel like a great phase.

When does toddler sleep regression happen?

Friends, moms, fellow tired parents, the answer to this one is… *shrug* Who knows? Just kidding. Sort of.

The truth is that sleep regression usually happens around 18 months old and again at two years old. But it could be a bit earlier for you, or a bit later. There’s a 15-month sleep regression for some, and 20-month for others. So, listen, we’d love nothing more than to tell you definitively when your child will experience this so that you can emotionally and mentally prepare. Unfortunately, there’s really no precise science to work off here. And, as you’ve probably know by now, every child is different.

Why might this happen at the 18-month mark?

Basically, 18 months is just full of big developmental milestones for your child. They’re growing so much and learning so many new skills, so they’re finally finding their independence. You might look at your little one at this age and think, Wow, they’re not a baby anymore. “Toddlerhood is a time of emotional, biological and social change as the transition from babyhood to a new level of independence and growth occurs,” Dr. Darcia F. Narvaez told Psychology Today, adding, “It is completely normal for toddlers to wake during the night.”

Around 18-months or two years old is also when many parents choose to move their kids out of a crib and into a bed. If you’re one of those parents, you can probably personally attest to that transition’s impact on your child’s sleeping habits.

So what causes sleep regression, really?

Again, this isn’t a precise and well-researched science. However, experts speculate there could be numerous possible contributors. These may include:

Developmental Growth

Toddler sleep regression could be happening because of growth spurts or jumps in development. Your child is growing more aware and more independent.

Separation Anxiety

Children also experience separation anxiety at this age, which might make it hard for them to suddenly fall asleep in an empty room.

Fatigue

It could also be happening because of a lack of sleep — especially during the day. Yes, as a toddler, your child still needs that one nap. If they’re going to daycare, if their routine has changed, or if they’re starting to assert their independence by refusing to nap, that could really affect their sleep at night.

Teething

And of course, our old friend teething could be the culprit. It’s a renowned sleep-disruptor from a child’s first year, and unfortunately, little ones are still teething through most of their toddler years. So, yep. Curse you, teeth!

What can I do if my toddler won’t sleep?

There are definitely things you can do to fight sleep regression. Try the following tips and tactics to hopefully (fingers crossed) help you and your toddler get a bit more shut-eye.

• Keep a good, long, nighttime routine. It will help your kid wind down and go to bed sleepy but awake.
• Establish a set bedtime. If your child is missing those daytime naps, you might want to make up for that by moving bedtime earlier.
• Offer them a comfort object to offset separation anxiety. Just make sure it’s something safe for them to have in their bed or crib.
• Make sure they’re expending enough energy during the day. It will help them get better quality sleep.

Does sleep regression pass?

Finally, we can pass on some good news — yes! Sleep regression should pass by itself in roughly one to three weeks, as long as you stick to your guns and don’t change your child’s sleep habits in any drastic ways.