I get questions all the time about various sleep regressions, so I decided it’s time to explain them all in a blog mini-series! But first off . . .
What is a Sleep Regression?
When Baby was sleeping well, and now she’s not, she might be going through a sleep regression!
Some regressions are a result of outside factors, and are typically short-lived, unless parents get over-involved. These minor regressions might be caused by teething, moving, or getting a new sibling, to name a few. Click for more information about what to do about these types of regressions.
Other regressions are a result of internal factors, like developmental milestones and/or changing sleep needs. Those are the ones we’ll be discussing in this mini-series.
When does the 18-month regression occur?
All regressions have a number in them, but each regression actually has a little more wiggle room than that.
The 18-month regression can actually happen anytime between about 18 months and 2.5 years, and it can actually happen multiple times within that time frame! Sometimes I call it the “toddler regression.”
What does the 18-month regression look like?
The toddler regression is most often characterized by skipped naps. It can also show up as bedtime battles, multiple nightwakings, or early morning wakings.
What causes the 18-month Regression?
The biggest reason for the 18-month regression is that Baby is growing up! She’s becoming more independent and opinionated, and she will push every boundary to figure out how the world works and what control she has over it.
But what does that really mean?
What happens if Baby sings all through naptime? What happens if she screams all through naptime? What happens if Baby jumps out of her crib at naptime? Baby wants to find out! And if she gets positive reinforcement, like getting out of bed early or visits from mom or dad to help her settle down, she’ll learn to repeat the behavior in the future.
And then, if she skips her nap but bedtime stays at the same time, she’ll begin to accumulate overtiredness, which will contribute to more skipped naps, plus it will likely bring about those bedtime battles, night wakings, and early morning wakeups I mentioned.
So what can you do?
How to Get Good Sleep Again
First off, if Baby wasn’t sleeping great leading up to 18 months, you’ll need to formally sleep train to establish good sleep habits. By now, hopefully you realize that bad sleep don’t just resolve with time; Baby needs to learn some sleep skills! You can learn how to teach Baby the necessary skills for good sleep in my 18m-5y Dream Key.
If Baby WAS sleeping well and this is truly a regression, here’s what to do.
1 - Revert to your sleep training days. Choose a training method you’re comfortable with, and employ that method throughout Crib90 and the night. This way, Baby will learn that even if she screams or sings all throughout the nap, nothing different happens.
2 - Start using pajamas for the nap! Toddlers’ concept of time is not fully developed, so sometimes simply adding pajamas to the mix can help them more willingly go to sleep at naptime.
3 - On days when Baby skips the nap, compensate with an earlier bedtime! Making sure Baby gets enough sleep can help resolve sleep issues more quickly, while allowing Baby to become overtired can prolong and exacerbate sleep issues.
Need help navigating this regression or completely overhauling your little one’s sleep? Learn more about my Dream Keys and one-on-one consultations here.