15 month sleep regression: Myth or real?

Once your child turns 1, you may think (or at least hope!) that you’ve made past the worst of the sleep regressions. Unfortunately, toddler sleep patterns tend to ebb and flow too and it’s not uncommon for more sleep bumps to pop up. The bright side? Not every 15 month old is destined for rocky sleep and we can help when challenges arise.  

In this article, we’ll guide you through how to help you understand potential sleep struggles at 15 months, share tips on how to get your toddler’s sleep back on track, and answer frequently asked questions about sleep at this age. 

IN THIS ARTICLE:

Is there a 15 month old sleep regression?

Although there isn’t a predetermined 15 month sleep regression, it’s not uncommon for children to experience sleep challenges around this age. If your little one has been sleeping well then goes through a period of bumpy sleep (calling out overnight, resisting or skipping naps, etc.), we’d consider this a sleep regression. However, every toddler is different and not all children will sleep poorly at this age. 

Why do 15 month old toddlers have sleep issues?

Reason #1: They rely on parental help to fall asleep 

Toddlers often have sleep challenges around this age due to parent-led sleep onset associations. This is when they get used to an adult helping them fall asleep and then depend on it. Common s include being fed, rocked, swayed, held, or patted to sleep. Children who rely on help to fall asleep are more likely to call out for an adult when they wake at night. Instead of going back to sleep independently, they seek parental help to recreate the same circumstance from the beginning of the night (or nap) to fall back to sleep (e.g. being held or rocked).

Reason #2: They’re ready to drop a nap

By 15 months, many toddlers are ready to drop a nap and move from nap per day. If your little one has outgrown their 2-nap schedule, they may resist naps (especially the second one), skip naps entirely, take shorter-than-usual naps, or suddenly start waking early. It may also be time to consider dropping a nap if your toddler has split nights (when they can’t sleep for long periods during the middle of the night) or is regularly getting less than 10 hours of sleep per night while on a 2-nap schedule. 

Reason #2: They’re adjusting to schedule changes

Even if your little one is ready to drop a nap (or has already started to), the transition likely won’t happen overnight. Many toddlers switch between 2-nap and 1-nap days for a few weeks while they adjust to staying up for . It’s not uncommon for 15 months olds to become overtired when they drop to one mid-day nap, especially if it’s short. (It’s normal for the nap to be short at first and then lengthen to 2 - 3 hours eventually.) 

As toddlers adjust to longer wake windows, they’re often overtired by bedtime. This can make it harder for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Reason #3: Separation anxiety

It’s common for toddlers to show new or increased signs of separation anxiety around 15 - 18 months []. These periods of clinginess or distress when separating from a caregiver are a healthy part of child development but may contribute to sleep challenges, especially when it’s time to lie down and sleep []. 

Reason #4: Teething

Toddlers this age may also be dealing with teething pain as their first molars break through. As little ones cope with throbbing gums, they often seek more comfort — particularly at bedtime []. 

Reason #5: Exploring boundaries 

At 15 months, your little one is a bonafide toddler, which may mean they’re starting to act like one (and testing all the boundaries!). Between , we typically see little ones exploring their independence and pushing parental limits more. This may mean deciding they’d rather play instead of starting their bedtime routine or trying to to snatch a book instead of settling down for a snooze.  

How long does a 15 month sleep regression last?

Unfortunately there’s no concrete start and stop date for sleep regressions. The start, duration, and intensity of sleep challenges vary by child. Toddlers between  14 - 18 months commonly experience periods of rocky sleep (often referred to as the “”), but certainly not all. And how long poor sleep lasts depends on the root cause, as well as the steps taken to improve sleep. For example, if your little one has a sudden increase in night wakings because of teething pain, they may start sleeping better again faster than a child who’s resisting sleep due to ongoing separation anxiety. 

My 15 month old won’t nap. Does 15 month regression affect naps?

Sleep regressions don’t just impact nighttime sleep. Along with night wakings and battling bedtime, toddlers in the throes of a sleep regression may also start fighting naps or taking much shorter ones. 

If your 15 month old is suddenly struggling with daytime sleep and is resisting naps or skipping them altogether, they may be ready for longer awake periods or a nap transition. A schedule adjustment may help get daytime sleep back on track. If your toddler is still taking two naps, consider first lengthening awake periods to between 3.5 and 4 hours before their first nap (so they’re tired but not too tired). While lengthened wake windows may alleviate nap struggles for some children, others may be ready to drop their afternoon nap at this age and follow a 1-nap schedule.  

However, not every child who’s struggling with naps at 15 months is necessarily ready for longer wake windows or dropping that second nap just yet. Naptime routines or other factors (like separation anxiety) may also impact daytime sleep at this age too.

If you’re feeling stuck and want more help with your toddler’s sleep, we can help! With, you can submit for a personalized, step-by-step Sleep Plan for your child.

6 tips to handle 15 month old sleep issues or regressions

Tip #1: Encourage independent sleep skills

If you’ve been helping your toddler fall asleep and they’ve come to rely on this support, consider teaching them independent sleep skills. Little ones who learn how to fall asleep with , and eventually, completely on their own, have fewer night wakings and longer stretches of sleep. 

Tip #2: Be flexible with bedtime

When toddlers are on a 2-nap schedule, bedtimes often creep a bit later to allow more time for dinner and play before bedtime. But when your toddler drops to one nap, bedtime will likely move much earlier again (at least in the beginning). Many toddlers this age can only comfortably stay awake for about 5 hours at a time, which may mean suddenly shifting bedtime even as early as 6:00 PM, at first, depending on what time their one nap ends. 

During this period of transition, it’s normal for naps to fluctuate between 1 and 2 naps. As they adjust to their new nap schedule, consider offering an early bedtime on days when total daytime sleep is less than ideal (under 2 - 3 hours) — but no earlier than 6:00 PM or 12 hours before your desired morning wake-up time. It may be a balancing act for a few weeks, but they’ll get there!

Tip #3: Keep an eye on nap times and lengths

At 15 months, some children are still following a 2-nap schedule. If this is the case, it can be helpful to to 90 minutes to avoid a very late afternoon nap and bedtime, which can result in more sleep challenges. 

Tip #4: Watch for signs your child is ready to drop a nap 

If your toddler is taking 2 naps and and naps are regularly challenging, these are good indicators that your little one is ready to move to a 1-nap schedule. Other common signs that your toddler may be ready to drop their afternoon nap include:

• Resisting naps, especially the second one

• Skipping naps entirely

• Taking shorter-than-usual naps

• Suddenly waking early and/or split nights (where a child can’t sleep for long periods during the middle of the night)

Tip #5: Factor in wind-down time

As you think about lengthening wake windows, you may notice your 15 month old seeming more energetic throughout the evening. But don’t let this bedtime energy boost fool you — hyperactivity at this time of the day may actually be a sign of being overtired. To help avoid bedtime meltdowns and sleep resistance, aim to give your little one ample wind-down time before bed (even if they still seem amped at this point). 

As kiddos get older, they need more space and time in their to transition from playtime to sleep time. Try to make the hour before bedtime a calm and relaxing one with simple bedtime rituals. This may look like a bath, brushing teeth, reading, and cuddles. This extra wind-down time helps them understand and prepare for sleep to come next.

Tip #6: Be intentional about light exposure

Ill-timed exposure to light can also contribute to nighttime sleep struggles or early wakings. When light enters your toddler’s eyes [], it sets their circadian rhythm (or body clock for waking up and falling asleep). Being intentional about light exposure in the mornings and before bed can help improve sleep. Keep the bedroom dark until your desired wake time, especially if your little one wakes early. In the evenings, avoid screen time [] or electronics with blue light [] in the hour before bed.

Takeaway

• Sleep regressions are a normal part of development and can happen at any age.

• Toddlers around 15 months may experience sleep issues due to various factors, including dropping a nap, adjusting to schedule changes, teething, separation anxiety, and exploring new boundaries.   

• The duration of sleep issues will depend on the cause and the steps taken to alleviate them.

• To help get sleep back on track, keep an eye on nap lengths, consider adjusting bedtime and/or their nap schedule, factor in more wind-down time before bed, consider whether they are falling asleep independently, and be mindful of light exposure.