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Baby Unable to Sleep- How to Handle Sleep Regression in Babies and Toddlers?

Team AckoDec 5, 2024

Wondering about how to deal with sleep regression in your child? You have come to the right place. It can be frustrating when a child who has been sleeping well suddenly starts waking up frequently or having trouble falling asleep. Let’s explore what sleep regression is and how you can navigate this challenging phase.

Contents

What is Sleep Regression?
How to Manage Your Toddler’s Sleep Regression
Sleep Regression at 12 Months
What Causes Sleep Regression at 12 Months?
How Do I Manage the 12-Month Sleep Regression?
Sleep Regression at 18 Months
What Causes Sleep Regression At 18 Months?
How Do I Manage the 18-Month Sleep Regression?
Sleep Regression at 24 Months
What Causes Sleep Regression at 24 Months or 2 Years?
How Do I Manage the 24-month or 2-year Sleep Regression?
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sleep Regression?

If your toddler has been sleeping well through the night but suddenly starts waking up frequently with disturbed sleep for no apparent reason, such as teething, illness., it is called sleep regression. It typically lasts between 2 to 6 weeks and often coincides with cognitive or developmental milestones.

Sleep regressions often occur around 6 weeks, 3–4 months, 6 months, and 8–10 months, although this timeline can vary for each child. The same goes for the toddler years. The sleep regressions that usually occur during the toddler years are at 12 months, 18 months and 24 months. We will discuss these stages in detail.

How to Manage Your Toddler’s Sleep Regression

Stick to a consistent bedtime routine to help soothe and reassure your baby.
Avoid overstimulation in the hour before bedtime.
Ensure the sleeping environment is comfortable and cosy
Encourage independent sleep by gradually reducing sleep aids.
Consider shorter naps during the day to improve nighttime sleep.
Be patient—this is a temporary phase, and consistency is key to resetting sleep patterns.
Make gradual changes with patience to manage sleep regression effectively.

Sleep Regression at 12 Months

The 12-month sleep regression is not as common as the other sleep regressions. Many kids tend to skip this. This regression is more about changes in naps than nighttime sleep. You might assume that your one-year-old's reduced need for naps is a natural progression, but they still require a significant amount of sleep. Most toddlers need 2 naps during the day till they reach 15-18 months, so understand this as part of the regression phase.

What Causes Sleep Regression at 12 Months?

Around this age, your baby may start reaching important developmental milestones. They now start to test their mobility and limits. They stand up and may even start walking. They also make more noise and may start talking. These major developmental milestones contribute to sleep regression. Your toddler may also start teething around this time. While teething can cause temporary disruptions, it is not considered a sleep regression.

How Do I Manage the 12-Month Sleep Regression?

Even if your one-year-old thinks they no longer need two naps, don’t give in. As mentioned earlier, most toddlers can manage with just one nap between 15-18 months. If they skip a nap, they’ll become overtired by the end of the day, which can lead to even more sleep issues. In such cases, try delaying the second nap by 20-30 minutes from the usual time. Follow the same bedtime routine to help them wind down, even if they don't fall asleep right away. This calming process can still offer some rest. If they continue to have trouble sleeping, try an earlier bedtime to prevent overtiredness. Consistency with bedtime rituals is key, as it helps your child feel secure and reduces the likelihood of sleep regression.

Sleep Regression at 18 Months

The 18-month sleep regression is one of the most significant sleep changes your toddler may experience. You may notice that your toddler, who previously slept well, suddenly starts experiencing bedtime drama, erratic and shorter naps, and plenty of waking up at night and even very early in the morning. At this age, your little one turns into a walking, talking (at least babbling) and tantrum-throwing toddler. This sleep regression has a lot to do with your toddler’s independence, which they have newly found. A lot of developmental and cognitive milestones are achieved around this age, which can result in sleep regression. Compared to all the earlier sleep regressions, this becomes much more difficult to handle, as your toddler is now more defiant, has their own opinions, and does not like to have their wishes denied.

What Causes Sleep Regression At 18 Months?

At 18 months, you will notice that your toddler suddenly has a favourite word – “NO”. You see a lot of defiance and independence being asserted by him. This carries over to their sleeping, too. It now becomes a battle of wills between the two of you. Added to this is the fact that separation anxiety, the anxiety that they feel when separated from you, is the strongest around this age. Teething is another factor at this age that causes disturbances in their everyday routine These factors lead to less sleep, making them irritable and stubborn, which causes even more disruptions at night. This cycle keeps repeating, making the sleep regression in babies even harder to manage.

How Do I Manage the 18-Month Sleep Regression?

By now, you should already have a good bedtime routine. . Be sure to reinforce it and remain consistent so that your toddler is comforted with the same routines. Ensure that you have firm rules and regulations that you and your baby always adhere to. You can also start giving them their favourite toy as a buddy to go to sleep with. This may comfort them during their time of separation anxiety. Nighttime fears may occur at this age, so you can keep a small night lamp on throughout the night to help them. If they are teething, give them cold teething rings, pacifiers, etc., to soothe their pain and gum irritation. At this age, they might also go through a growth spurt, which may make them hungrier and cause them to wake up during the night. A high-protein bedtime snack will help in this regard. Implementing these remedies will help ease the 18-month sleep regression.

Sleep Regression at 24 Months

Just as the 18-month sleep regression can be challenging, so too can the 2-year-old one, sometimes also known as the 20-month sleep regression. You will again see your toddler delaying or shortening naps and waking up many times during the night, even if they had been sleeping soundly before. Take comfort in knowing that this is probably the last major sleep regression that your child will undergo.

What Causes Sleep Regression at 24 Months or 2 Years?

At 24 months, your toddler will probably be going through some major developmental changes. Many parents move their kids from a crib to a bed (although this is not very common among Indians), which can be pretty scary for them. On top of that, nighttime fears, such as monsters or the dark, are common. Separation anxiety reappears at 2 years, further stressing them out. A 2-year-old also needs less sleep at this point, so they stay awake for longer periods without any downtime or naps. Potty training often starts at this time as well. 2-year-olds are also very independent and defiant; that’s why the term “terrible twos” is so popular. All these factors contribute to the 24-month sleep regression.

How Do I Manage the 24-month or 2-year Sleep Regression?

As with all sleep regressions, maintaining a regular and good sleep hygiene routine is essential. Consistency is key to providing comfort and ensuring they get the 12 hours of sleep they need, primarily at night. While most kids aren't ready for just a single nap until they're 3 or 4, they may resist napping altogether during this phase. In that case, ensure they at least get some downtime and rest and have an earlier bedtime at night to prevent overtiredness.

To help with separation anxiety, give them a soft or cuddly toy as a sleep buddy, which can provide comfort and a sense of security. For nighttime fears, soothe them and listen to their concerns, but avoid starting new practices that offer a quick fix but may lead to poor habits in the long term. Adhering to rules, limits, and regulations is also important. Being firm but gentle will help them follow the routine.

Conclusion

To conclude, sleep regressions are a natural part of a toddler's life, and the good news is that they are only temporary. The timeline of sleep regressions can vary by a few weeks or months from child to child. It's important to understand how to manage these phases effectively. Practising good sleep habits, providing a comforting toy to ease separation anxiety, maintaining patience, and sticking to a consistent nighttime routine can all help navigate through the sleep regression period until it passes..

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s a list of FAQs about Baby Unable to Sleep- How to Handle Sleep Regression in Babies and Toddlers?

How long does sleep regression last?

Sleep regression usually lasts 2–6 weeks, depending on the development stage of your child. Consistency in nighttime routines and your patience can help ease the sleep regression and transition back to normal sleeping patterns for your baby.

Why is my baby suddenly not sleeping?

Your baby may be experiencing developmental changes, teething discomfort, or environmental disruptions. These factors can temporarily affect sleep, reflecting normal growth and adjustments.

Is it normal if my baby hasn’t experienced sleep regression?

It is perfectly fine if your kid is not experiencing sleep regression. Some babies adjust seamlessly to developmental changes without significant disruptions in their sleep patterns.

How do I Sleep Regression?

Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, create a calming bedtime routine, and provide comfort when needed. Avoid forming new habits that could prolong the regression phase. Patience and stability are key.

What are common signs of sleep regression?

Signs of sleep regression include frequent night wakings, shorter naps, difficulty falling asleep, increased fussiness, and resisting bedtime routines.

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