16 month sleep regression: Myth or real?

Whether sleep for your little one has been bumpy from the start or your 16 month old is suddenly dealing with some new sleep challenges, toddler sleep can be tricky at times. It’s not uncommon for kiddos to experience periods of rocky sleep during their second year as sleep patterns change and schedules shift. Although not every toddler will hit a difficult phase at 16 months, we’re here to help if they are.

In this article, we’ll guide you through how to help you understand potential sleep struggles at 16 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 16 month old sleep regression?

No, there isn’t a set 16 month old sleep regression that all children face. Instead, toddler sleep patterns tend to ebb and flow as they grow and every child is different. However, it’s not uncommon for toddlers who were sleeping well to experience an onset of sleep challenges around this age. This period of bumpy nights or naps may include a range of sleep disturbances from an increase in night wakings to a kiddo who suddenly resists sleep altogether. If your little one is suddenly facing new sleep struggles during the day and/or night, we’d consider this a sleep regression.

Why do 16 month old toddlers have sleep issues?

Reason #1: They need help falling asleep 

One of the main reasons a little one struggles with naps or frequent night wakings is that they rely on an adult to help them fall asleep. There’s nothing wrong with comforting a child at bedtime, and we always encourage comfort and connection during the bedtime routine. However, if a child becomes accustomed to receiving parental help to fall asleep, they often rely on this support and protest if it’s taken away. We call this a sleep onset association. 

Common include feeding, using a rocking motion, and holding or patting a child to sleep. They can lead to disrupted sleep because if a child wakes up during the night or during a nap, it may be challenging to fall back to sleep without you. They may depend on that same comfort in the middle of the night. 

Reason #2: Their sleep needs are changing

Many toddlers drop from a between 14 - 18 months old. Even if your little one has outgrown their second nap, the transition doesn’t typically happen overnight — and can bring a period of fragmented sleep with it. When your 16 month old is ready to drop a nap, they may resist naps, take shorter than usual naps, or skip naps entirely. They may also suddenly start waking early, have split nights (when they are awake for long periods in the middle of the night), or regularly get less than 10 hours of sleep per night.  

As toddlers transition to longer stretches of awake time, it may take them a few weeks to adjust. During this time, it’s also common for little ones to become overtired by bedtime, making it harder for them to fall asleep and stay asleep. 

Reason #3: They’re teething

Teething pain may like night waking, sleep resistance, and fussiness. If your little one is uncomfortable due to new chompers breaking through, the pain may make it harder to sleep, waking them after just 10 - 20 minutes of shuteye instead of in between 50-minute sleep cycles. In addition to discomfort, teething can also be accompanied by gum swelling/tenderness, refusal to eat (which may also lead to night wakings from hunger), increased drooling, biting, and chewing. 

Reason #4: They’re going through separation anxiety

Between 15 - 18 months [], many toddlers experience new or increased levels of separation anxiety. It’s a normal part of healthy child development for little ones to be extra clingy when separating from a caregiver at this age []. However, the distress many kiddos feel while away from their parents during this phase may contribute to sleep challenges when it’s time to settle down and say goodnight. 

How long does a 16 month sleep regression last?

Since there’s no predetermined 16 month sleep regression, there’s no scheduled start and stop date either. Instead, toddlers between 14 - 18 months commonly experience periods of rocky sleep (often referred to as the “”) for a variety of reasons. Some toddlers may never be impacted, and for those who are, the duration 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 16 month old won’t nap. Does 16 month regression affect naps?

Sleep may be bumpy during the day and night for toddlers. If your little one starts fighting naps, taking shorter ones, or skipping them altogether, they may be ready for longer wake windows and/or to drop a nap. A schedule adjustment can help get daytime sleep back on track, but this transition may take a few weeks. 

Also, keep in mind that an onset of daytime sleep struggles doesn’t automatically mean your is ready for a 1-nap schedule. Other factors may also be behind the sudden nap challenges including naptime routines, sleep associations, separation anxiety, and teething. 

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.

4 tips to handle 16 month old sleep issues or regressions

Tip #1: Work on independent sleep skills 

When it comes to sleep, we support families doing what works best for them and their children (as long as it’s safe). However,  if your little one struggles with sleep, including frequent night wakings, and you’re looking to make a change, a helpful first step is often evaluating how they’re falling asleep. Children who need help from their parents to fall asleep at night tend to have more sleep challenges [] and less overall sleep, so you may want to move away from parent-led sleep associations.

Instead of physically helping your toddler fall asleep, consider helping them learn to fall asleep without being rocked, fed, held, or otherwise helped to sleep. One of the ways you can do this is through sleep training. (You can learn about the.) If you’re looking for personalized guidance, consider.

Tip #2: Adjust your schedule — and expectations

When toddlers are ready to drop a nap, it’s often done gradually and may take a couple of weeks of nap limbo — meaning they’ll take one nap some days and two naps others. Shorter and skipped naps are also common during nap transitions, making it easier for kiddos to become overtired. This, in turn, may make falling asleep and staying asleep more difficult, so they may also need an earlier bedtime on some days to help limit overtiredness. 

From not knowing what kind of nap day it will be to navigating shifting bedtimes, this can also be a tricky time for parents. While frustrating, keep in mind this is a phase and after a few weeks most little ones will settle into a new sleep schedule. However, once your toddler settles into a consistent 1-nap schedule with longer wake windows, they may consistently require an early bedtime to prevent overtiredness. For some families, this may mean a new bedtime closer to 6:00 PM. However, once little ones get accustomed to staying awake for longer periods, bedtimes may be able to shift back later. 

Tip #3: Aim to keep bedtime routines consistent 

During periods of rocky sleep, it may be tempting to deviate from normal bedtime routines. However, we find it’s helpful to stick to your usual bedtime routine as much as possible for consistency and to signal to your child that it’s time for sleep. Straying too far from your typical pre-sleep ritual, even just for a few nights, may lead to additional sleep difficulties [].

Tip #4: Account for some extra wind-down time (and reassurance) 

Although it’s beneficial to keep your toddler’s pre-sleep rituals consistent, it can be helpful to add in some extra wind-down time before bed at this age, especially during periods of poor sleep. As toddlers get older not only do their last wake windows lengthen, but also they need more time in their pre-sleep routine to transition from playtime to bedtime. Plus, if they’re going through a bout of separation anxiety, it may be harder for them to part ways with their caregiver at night. For these kiddos, extra reassurance, cuddles, and time with their parents before saying goodnight may help them get better rest. 

Takeaway

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

• Toddlers around 16 months may experience sleep challenges due to various factors, including needing help to fall asleep, being ready for longer wake windows, teething, and going through separation anxiety. 

• How long these sleep challenges stick around depends on their root cause — and the steps taken to alleviate them.