You’d think your busy toddler would collapse every single night in his bed after a day of nonstop play. And for some tots, this is certainly the case. Still, there are other little ones who go through an 18-month sleep regression — just when they seem to need their Zzzs the most.
This sleep issue is a normal, though thankfully temporary, hitch in your toddler’s nighttime routine. Here’s more about the signs and causes of the 18-month sleep regression, plus some smart tips for easing your tot back to his cozy nest so you can all get a good night’s rest.
What is the 18-month sleep regression?
The 18-month sleep regression is a short-lived interruption in your toddler’s normal nighttime and napping routine. During this sleep setback, your tot may fuss more at bedtime, protest at naptime and wake up in the small hours of the night calling for water, a hug or songs to soothe him.
An 18-month sleep regression may spark memories of similar sleep woes you experienced in the past, including the 4-month and 6-month sleep regressions, one at 8 months, one at 12 months and one at 15 months. These events are often closely tied to major milestone achievements related to language and gross motor skills.
But when the 18-month sleep regression rolls around, it can be a bit harder to deal with, as your tot has even more advanced skills at this point. Your best bet is to be gentle but firm and to lean hard on your toddler’s nighttime routine since this will remind him that bedtime is near.
How long does the 18-month sleep regression last?
Some toddlers won’t ever have a sleep regression, but for those who do, the 18-month sleep regression can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to several weeks. Fortunately, this temporary episode in your little one's life is surmountable, so try to focus on steering your child back to bed, rather than lost Zzzs. And who knows? Maybe your tot will get past this phase quickly.
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Signs of the 18-month sleep regression
Having tuck-in trouble? Watch for these 18-month sleep regression signs:
Fighting bedtime. Climbing out of bed and fussing when you leave aren’t uncommon.
Nap crying. Having trouble settling down for a nap or possibly transitioning from two naps a day to one can disrupt daytime snoozing.
Waking at night. Popping awake and crying in the wee hours is another regression sign.
Increased fussiness. Irritability and tears at times when your tot is usually in a good mood could mean he’s not getting the Zzzs he needs at night.
Causes of the 18-month sleep regression
A variety of new physical and cognitive achievements may be interfering with your child’s nighttime slumber. Here are some possible causes of the 18-month sleep regression:
Separation anxiety. Parental absence is a real fear at this age and it actually peaks between 9 or 10 and 18 months, resulting in lost sleep for your toddler.
Teething. Your tot could be cutting those first toddler molars or canines — and the pain can bring on redness, swelling, drooling and disrupted sleep.
Bigger vocabulary. You’re probably hearing “no” (or even “no nap!”) a lot lately, which makes sense since your child’s language is developing rapidly.
Walking milestone. Toddlers are in the zone when it comes to walking and many are also pulling toys off the shelf and running. These gross motor skills are way more fun than napping!
Fear of the dark. A more sophisticated imagination may mean scary thoughts that loom large at night for your toddler, leading to nightmares and being afraid of shadows and darkness in his room. Fear of the dark typically doesn't start until around age 2, but it can crop up earlier or later.
Illness. A fever, earache or a case of the sniffles can push a sleep schedule off track.
- Change in routine. A new sibling, a move or a new babysitter or day care could all affect your child's ability to get a good night's sleep.
Tips for handling the 18-month sleep regression
While weeks of disrupted sleep can make the whole house feel on edge, try not to worry. After you’ve ruled out illness in your child, consider these strategic tips for sleep regression:
Practice your routine. Stay the course when it comes to your toddler’s bedtime routine. The same tuck-in steps (bath, story, song, kisses) signal it’s time to slow down and sleep.
Don’t overreact. Keep calm when faced with a tot who gets up way too early or won’t relax in his bed at night. Simply walk him back to his room with little talking or fuss every time he gets up until it’s time to wake up.
Add a friend. A stuffed toy or doll to hold may soothe a tot who’s nervous in the dark.
Revisit sleep training. If you sleep trained your baby, you may want to try it again on your toddler (or try sleep training for the first time). The chair method, bedtime fading or Ferber may be just the ticket back to dreamland.
Let the nap go. Many kids tend to drop a nap between 12 and 18 months, but this isn’t a big worry if nighttime sleep is going well for your child.
Limit or avoid screen time. Cartoons happen — we get it — but watching TV or videos close to bedtime can mess with kids’ sleep. If you allow any TV at this age (and the recommendation is no screen time until age 2 or later except for video chatting), keep it to earlier in the day. Screens should be off at least two hours before bedtime.
When to call the doctor
If you’ve tried everything you can think of and you’re still having trouble at night or naptime, check in with the doctor. Your pediatrician may have sleep training ideas or different bedtime strategies to try.
And definitely call after a few days to a week if you notice loud breathing, snoring, nightmares or daytime sleepiness in your toddler due to a lack of shut-eye at night.
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