18 Month Sleep Regression: How to Get Your Toddler Back to Sleep
You were sleeping peacefully…and then you hear your toddler. He’s not just rustling around resettling. He’s screaming mad. Literally. As you drag yourself out of bed, you wonder to yourself what’s wrong? What could be causing your toddler sleep problems? Could this be two-year molars? An ear infection? Is he gassy from eating too much broccoli at dinner? Is his newfound walking (or running!) causing this? Or is it the 18 month sleep regression?
If you have dealt with a sleep regression before, you may remember these signs:
- Resistance to Sleep
- Waking at night
- Reduced naps (or “disaster naps”)
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in behavior
What is the 18-Month Sleep Regression?
Sound familiar? Maybe you didn’t notice the signs this time, or you breezed through that last growth spurt. But this? This is something different altogether.
If you recall, a sleep regression is a period when your baby, who was sleeping through the night, suddenly stops. It is a temporary change, normally lasting anywhere from two to six weeks. Most of the time, your baby will begin to sleep through the night again once the cause of the sleep regression has stabilized.
How Many Hours of Sleep Should an 18-Month-Old Get?
At 18 months, a child should be sleeping around 13 – 14 hours total. That’s broken up into eleven hours of uninterrupted sleep at night, and two to two-and-a-half hours of naps. Most 18-month-olds will be taking a single afternoon nap.
Wondering what your child’s sleep schedule should be at 18 months?
Read: Sleep Schedules – Your Thirteen to Eighteen-Month-Old
What Causes a Sleep Regression at 18 Months?
Your toddler is learning all kinds of new skills. Whether it’s drinking from a cup, using a spoon, helping choose activities, her world is expanding at a rapid rate. This can lead to increased anxiety and a need to be close to mom or dad.
If your little one hasn’t transitioned to a single nap, or is in the process of doing that, it could be causing some disruption.
Curious about naps?
Read: Nap Training: How to Get Good Naps for Good Nights
Teething is another culprit — some children will be getting both molars and those pointy canines at the same time. Ouch!
When you look at all of the possibilities, on top of increased independence, you are no longer dealing with a simple sleep regression. You’re dealing with a little person who can choose to refuse to sleep. That’s right. Some children will consciously refuse sleep. It’s a control issue. It’s the 18-month sleep regression. Thankfully, this is temporary.
5 Tips to Help You Deal with an 18-Month Sleep Regression
- Understand this is temporary. That thought alone may save your sanity when your child is crying and refusing to nap.
- Do what you can. If you have a very independent little one, they’re going to test, and that’s okay. Just do what you can to encourage them to sleep. Make sure you have good nap routines and bedtime routines in place and stick to them. Try to adhere to your flexible schedule as much as possible. Understand that there are going to be some long days and long nights.
- Make sure that your toddler gets their naps. Get those naps any way you can. You may have to rely on the car, stroller, or literally run them ragged, but do your best to ensure that your baby is getting her naps. You’ll have fewer struggles at bedtime if your child is well-rested during the day.
- Fall back to the Shuffle. When all else fails, remember The Shuffle. You don’t want to create a new sleep crutch that you’ll have to fix later. This sleep regression is temporary, and you want the sleep issues you’re experiencing to stay that way.
- Communicate with your Toddler. Remember, part of this is that your toddler is learning to assert himself. Be sure that you give simple instructions and set boundaries with him to help him feel safe. Babies and toddlers need consistency.
How Long is the 18-Month-Sleep Regression?
You may be wondering, “how long does it take for the 18-month sleep regression to stop?” The good news is, like many parenting struggles, this too shall pass. Your baby should be back to himself in a few weeks. Once the cause of the regression is over — the teeth are through, the new skill mastered — he should settle back into his routine.
If it seems to keep going more than a few weeks, even with your gentle reinforcement, consider contacting his pediatrician. Make sure there isn’t an underlying medical issue before you roll up your sleeves and get back into sleep training.
Want to read more about sleep regressions?
Read: Sleep Regression: When, Why, and How to Solve It!
