
You are finally feeling like sleep is a thing in your house. Bedtime has become predictable and dare I say, somewhat easy. Your babe has been sleeping through the night for months. You even get a few quiet minutes to drink your morning cup of coffee before the babe wakes.
Then, seemingly overnight, this all changes. You stick with the normal bedtime routine that night, but yet your child is standing in his crib, crying and yelling “ma ma ma”. You go into his room to say “what’s wrong buddy”, all for him to grow quiet and giggle at you.
Once you finally get him to sleep, he is restless, crying throughout the night. You were in his room 2,3, maybe 5 times last night. And today, you were sure he’d be exhausted from little sleep last night, but now he is wild and in no way appears he is willing to crash for nap time.
What in the world is happening?
The 18-Month Sleep Regression: What Is it?
When your child’s brain is going through developmental changes, sleep can be impacted. Sudden changes in your child’s sleep often indicate a sleep regression (especially if no indication of illness).
Remember this: A developmental PROgression = a sleep REgression. This is because your baby’s brain is working hard! So hard in fact, that the developing brain doesn’t want to slow for rest. Keep in mind, every child develops at their own pace, which means this regression may be seen anytime between 16-21 months.
What Causes The 18-Month Sleep Regression?
Around this age, children undergo rapid cognitive, emotional, and physical changes. This is why I call it the “Hello, I’m a toddler now” regression.
They are starting to exercise their independence. They are starting to understand cause and effect and that they have the ability to make choices for themselves. Such as, “I know how to fall asleep, but I can CHOOSE not to”.
They also may be working to master new skills such as:
- running and climbing
- imitating yours or others’ actions
- following simple commands and tasks
- naming familiar faces and objects
All of this can impact sleep.
Why is my 18-month old Waking Up at Night? Is this A Sign of the 18-Month Sleep Regression?
It could be. Here are the top reasons your baby may be waking up at night:
- Illness or Teething. If your baby’s sleep has changed suddenly, you always want to rule out any discomfort or physical concerns such as teething, illness, or belly troubles
- Nap Transition. Is your 18-month old still taking 2 naps per day and waking at night? It’s time to transition to 1-nap
- Their daily schedule needs adjusting. Look at their wake time from AM to nap and from nap to bedtime. Are they seeming overtired or undertired? If so, adjusting bedtime might be the answer
- 18-month sleep regression. That is what we are talking about today right? If you have ruled out physical concerns and the routine/schedule seems spot on, it’s likely your child is in the thick of a sleep regression
The 18-month old sleep regression signs:
- Difficulty Falling Asleep: Your once-easy sleeper is now 18-months old and stalling at bedtime and throwing tantrums
- Frequent Night Wakings: Suddenly, your 17-month old is waking up screaming in his crib at night and needs comforted
- Shorter Naps: Your 20-month old is struggling with shorter naps or refusing naps all together
- Earlier wake times: Your 16-month has woken at 7 AM for months but is now waking at 6 AM and will not go back to sleep
- Clinginess/Increased Separation Anxiety: Your 19-month old is having accelerated separation anxiety–he is now screaming immediately when you try to leave the room. He is so upset he is trying to fling himself out of the crib, which has never happened before
How to handle the 18-month sleep regression:
- Get Outside. Daylight and sunlight help boost the body’s natural melatonin which in turn can help your little one settle easier at night
- Stay active: Children at this age are busy! Keeping their body’s active can help prepare them for sleep. Think outside time, water play, toddler trampolines, nugget couch play, dance parties, and more
- Encourage Independence: Allowing your child to feel a sense of control can empower him/her. Offer choices (no more than 2 as we don’t want to overwhelm them) around bedtime such as which PJs to wear, which books to read, which parent to snuggle with.
- Schedule: As your child is continuing to grow and develop, they are also developing stamina. You want to ensure your child is tired enough to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night (without being so overtired they are melting down). See a typical 18-month schedule below
- Stick to Your Bedtime Routine: Consistency is key here. Yes, your child may have adopted a new stalling tactic or two, but that doesn’t mean we change or skip the routine. Remember, children thrive on routine
- Stay Consistent: Having clear and consistent boundaries in place while still acknowledging your child’s emotions- “I understand you want to keep playing, however it’s time for bed”. This regression can be rough, but staying consistent with your sleep routine and boundaries will help.
18-Month Old Sleep Schedule:
While I don’t recommend following wake windows at this age (I love a “timed-based schedule” with flexibility), an 18-month old will typically have 5-6 hours of wake time before nap and roughly 5 hours of wake time before bed. If your toddler is under-tired or over-tired at bedtime, this can lead to difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, which often can be mistaken for the 18-month sleep regression.
An 18-month old needs 12-14 hours of total sleep in a 24-hour period, with 10-12 hours of nighttime sleep and 2-3 hours of daytime sleep. If your child wakes from a short nap or skips a nap all together, be sure to adjust for an earlier bedtime to prevent them from being so overtired and hitting their melting point.
Here is a typical 18-month old schedule:
**Sleep Tip: If you want to keep bedtime consistent between 7:30 -8:00 PM, You will want to wake your child from a nap no later than 3 PM.
How long does the 18-month sleep regression last:
This regression should only last 1-2 weeks. If you have been struggling with your child’s sleep for months, it may be time for a personalized plan to get your child’s sleep back on track. I’m here to guide you with a clear plan on the HOW plus my follow along support to navigate any curveball your toddler throws at us.
What if my 18-month old has separation anxiety at night?
He/she most certainly does. For most children, separation anxiety peaks around this age. Wait a minute, a toddler wants to be independent but yet they don’t want to leave you? YUP, Confusing right? Welcome to life as a toddler! While they are employing the desire of independence, they also want to ensure you are still there to provide them security and comfort, because they have a secure attachment to you!
Sleep Training At 18-Months Old:
Can you sleep train at 18-months old? Yes. Even if they have separation anxiety? Yes. Even if they are going through the 18-month regression? Absolutely.
This can be the perfect time to adopt healthy sleep habits, especially if your child was rocked to sleep the past 18-months but now they won’t sit still and are continuously fighting you to go to sleep, all to wake as soon as you move (or breathe). Keep in mind that sleep training at this age looks VERY different than sleep training at 6 months old. Why? Because you now have a toddler with newfound independence and the cognitive awareness to say “NO” while smirking at you. Don’t worry, it’s never too late and there are plenty of ways to establish healthy sleep habits at this age without shutting the door and leaving your child to scream and cry all night.
Need Help Navigating A Sleep Regression?
I aim to educate and empower parents with the tools to teach their children to sleep independently and sleep well. Trusting that your child has the skills to sleep on their own will provide you the confidence that you can handle any sleep regressions your child may encounter as they grow.
If you are struggling to help your child through the 18-month sleep regression, or any sleep regression, or if you want expert personal guidance teaching your child to sleep well, I am here to support you. Schedule a free discovery video call with Kendra.
–Wishing You “Dovely” Dreams
Kendra Dove is a certified pediatric sleep consultant based in Indianapolis offering sleep coaching services nationwide. A science brain + a mama intuitive, Kendra loves the 1-1 relationships she builds with her clients in order to better understand their desires and values, and how to successfully achieve those.