18 month sleep regression: What causes it and what to do?

Updated Mar 14, 2024
18 month old sleep regression

If your toddler is around 18 months old and experiencing sudden sleep challenges, you may be dealing with the dreaded “18 month sleep regression.” While this stage in your toddler’s life has its challenges, it’s also a reminder of a child’s growth and development. If we want better sleep, our approach will need to develop, too.


IN THIS ARTICLE:

Is there an 18 month sleep regression? How about 16 month, 17 month, and 19 month sleep regressions?

How do I know if my baby is in the midst of a sleep regression? Signs explained

What’s special about the 18 month sleep regression? Causes explained

How long is the 18 month sleep regression?

What can parents do to minimize the effects of a toddler sleep regression? Sleeping tips

Takeaway

18 month sleep regression FAQ


Baby sleep regressions don't necessarily end when they turn 1. Between 14 and 19 months of age, we tend to see recurrent sleep issues arise. Sometimes it seems as though the "18 month sleep regression" starts closer to the younger end of this range — around 14, 15, or 16 months. Sometimes children will have sudden sleep issues at the older end of the range — 17, 18, and even 19 months.

Parents often report a toddler sleep regression that includes increased night wakings as well as 14 - 18 month olds fighting naps and bedtime. This “18 month sleep regression” will affect some toddlers but certainly not all. The degree to which this period of development impacts a child’s sleep will depend on their routines and the parent’s response. Let’s take a look at some of the developmental milestones and factors that can influence sleep patterns at this age.

Generally, when experts talk about sleep regressions, we’re talking about a situation where the quality and ease of a child’s sleep suddenly declines. Parents may notice a variety of changes in their toddler’s sleep habits. Signs of a regression include a refusal to sleep at bedtime, increased nighttime wakings, early waking, nap regression, and shorter naps.

Toddler laying asleep on bed cuddling teddy bear

In the 14 - 18 month age group, we see children really start settling into toddlerhood. That means they’re beginning to test boundaries and seek independence. Instead of laying down and falling asleep at bedtime like they may have been doing, they’re suddenly exploring ideas like, “Hmmm...what would happen if I just kept playing instead? Or maybe I’ll throw all of my pacifiers on the floor! Hey, I wonder if I can climb out of this crib...” 

Heightened separation anxiety (where separating from a caregiver can cause a child to become very upset) is often a contributor at this age. Separation anxiety is a healthy part of child development [1], with some phases being more extreme than others. So now, not only might your child feel clingier at this age, they’ll often decide to experiment with refusing to lay down peacefully and sleep.

The first molars often start to break through the gums during this period. As a result, children who are teething often want more comfort [2] from their parents, particularly at sleep times.

To complicate matters, it’s also at this age that most children drop a nap and transition to one nap in the middle of the day. As children adjust to staying awake for longer periods, they’re often overtired by bedtime. This can lead to a surge in the hormone cortisol, which makes it harder for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Most sleep regressions at this age last 2 - 6 weeks. Keep in mind, however, that not all children go through a sleep regression at around 18 months. Sometimes a parent’s response to the new sleep challenges, whenever they occur, can create new dependencies that turn a temporary phase into a long-term sleep problem.

All of these rapid developmental changes can be a recipe for one cranky toddler. Toddlers lack the communication skills necessary to calmly explain why they don’t want you to leave at bedtime or why they’re waking you up repeatedly each night. Cue the tears — and not just from your toddler. Luckily, there are ways to alleviate the impact and improve sleep.

When younger toddlers still take two daytime naps, their bedtime can start to creep later, which is often welcome. After all, later bedtimes can allow for a more leisurely dinner or additional play time together before bed. 

Once a child drops to one nap, bedtime suddenly needs to be much earlier again, at least in the beginning. Many children in this age group can only comfortably stay awake for about 5 hours at a time. That means if their nap ends at 1:00 PM, they may be ready for bedtime as early as 6:00 PM, at first.

Use our SweetSpot® sleep time predictor to determine the best nap and bedtime for your child after their nap transition. This can help limit overtiredness and the resulting sleep issues it can bring, especially during this adjustment period.

By 15 months of age, many children are in the midst of dropping a nap. This transition period may mean frequently missed naps. When naps are skipped, children can become overtired very easily. This, in turn, can result in difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. 

While it’s important to follow an age-appropriate schedule to encourage day sleep, stimulating those developing minds and bodies in the morning can help toddlers nap better. Roll a ball. Play simple games like puzzles and blocks. Limit screen time. Get out in the sunshine when you can. These simple measures can mean a better shot at naptime sleep.

During the transition to one nap, naps are often skipped despite our best efforts. Moving bedtime earlier on those days can help limit overtiredness. 

Once a child starts to explore and test boundaries, it’s the perfect time to start setting limits. Have consistent bedtime routines around sleep times, if you don’t already. We recommend having a consistent pre-sleep routine that ends in the same definitive way each time to create healthy sleep habits. For example, you might end the routine with the same lullaby each night before you kiss your child goodnight.

Setting limits and consistently enforcing your bedtime routine will help children understand what to expect [3] at sleep times. This leads to a feeling of security and, ultimately, fewer tears. Bedtime routines have been shown to not only improve sleep but also contribute to improved developmental outcomes [4].

However, the more we “give in” and deviate from the routine, the more likely we are to see sleep disruptions [5]. When we intermittently reinforce boundary-testing behavior (by giving in sometimes, but not others), this only encourages the behavior and sends a confusing message to the child. 

While consistently enforcing healthy sleep routines is vital to maintaining your child’s sleep progress, there are times when kids need some extra TLC. 

If your 18 month old is still not sleeping through the night and is suddenly struggling to fall asleep independently, it makes sense to offer them more comfort, especially if you suspect they’re in pain from teething or going through a strong bout of separation anxiety. Consider lengthening your pre-sleep routines to include extra cuddle time. Speak to your pediatrician about teething pain medication [6], if necessary.

Parents who are used to independent sleepers may decide to help their child fall asleep on a temporary basis. While it’s understandable to want to help your toddler get the sleep they need, keep in mind that you’ll be re-setting their expectations surrounding sleep. If you start doing more to aid your child in falling asleep, like staying in the room when you used to leave, your child will start to expect that every night — and possibly throughout the night, as well. 

Studies show that children have fewer sleep problems when they learn to fall asleep [7] without parental help at bedtime. If your child needs your assistance to fall asleep, consider sleep training. However, the 18 month sleep regression "cry it out" method isn't the only option. Contrary to popular belief, sleep training isn’t synonymous with “crying it out," though that is one of many approaches. Instead, it’s a process to help your child strengthen their independent sleeping skills and there are a variety of ways to implement it depending on what your family's needs and preferences are. There are many sleep training options that have been shown to have beneficial effects on sleep without stressing families [8]. 

For instance, if you sit next to the crib at night until your child falls asleep, consider the “fading approach.” This is a gradual method to transition away from your toddler requiring your help to fall asleep. Each night, you move a little bit further away from the crib, giving your child a little more space and independence to work on falling asleep with less help. Ideally, you’ll be in the doorway within a week. Once your child gets used to falling asleep with you further away, you can sit outside of the door. Use your voice to console as needed. Eventually, you’ll get to the point where you can say goodnight at bedtime, and your child will fall asleep without you in the room. This should improve sleep.

Parents seeking a quicker solution to their child’s sleep problems may choose a “controlled crying” method. While there are many variations, parents leave their child to cry for intervals until they fall asleep on their own. Although these methods tend to produce faster results, we want to use caution if a toddler is strong and determined enough to climb out of their crib. In this case, some parents will get “creative” by rotating the crib around, so the lower side is against the wall, for example.

If you’re a parent who has decided to start helping their child fall asleep again during a regression, know that this doesn’t need to be a permanent situation. When your family is ready, we can help you get back on track. Huckleberry Premium was created to make sleep consultations for children more affordable for families. We take into consideration each family's individual lifestyle as well as their sleep goals when working to create a successful sleep plan. If you are interested in more personalized analysis and guidance for your child, sign up for Huckleberry Premium.

  • The "18 month sleep regression" refers to a period between 14 and 18 months of age when parents tend to see recurrent sleep issues arise; however, not all children will be affected by this. Common signs of a sleep regression include taking longer to fall asleep at bedtime, frequent nighttime wakings, early morning rise time, nap protesting, and shorter naps.

  • Around this age, toddlers are typically going through big changes like seeking independence, experiencing separation anxiety, teething (thanks, pesky molars!), and a transition to a 1-nap schedule. These factors can contribute to a sudden onset of sleep issues.

  • There are some ways to alleviate the impact of a sleep regression and improve sleep, like offering an age-appropriate bedtime, prioritizing naps, and being consistent with setting limits and consistently enforcing your child's bedtime routines.

18 month sleep regression FAQ

Q: Why does my 18 month old keep waking up at night?

A:

The most common causes of night waking at this age are overtiredness and sleep onset associations. Children who skip naps or go to bed too late may be overtired, resulting in more wakings. Furthermore, if a child falls asleep with their parent’s help at bedtime (otherwise known as a “sleep onset association”), this can mean the child will want that same help when they wake during the night.

Q: Can the 18 month sleep regression happen early?

A:

The 18 month sleep regression can happen anytime between 14 and 18 months of age. Don’t be fooled by the name — it could just as easily be called the 15 month or 16 month sleep regression.

Q: Do all babies go through the 18 month sleep regression?

A:

No. Although the “18 month” sleep regression is widely discussed as something all children experience, it’s important to note that this period of rapid development doesn't occur at the exact same age for all children and may not always wreak havoc on young sleepers’ routines. The sleep habits of the individual child and the parent’s response both play a large role in whether sleep will regress.

Q: Is the 18 month sleep regression the hardest one?

A:

All sleep regressions can be hard. What may make the 18 month sleep regression particularly challenging is that children start to test boundaries and seek independence at this age. Your toddler's favorite word may be "no" now, which can be frustrating outside of sleep too.

Q: My 18 month old baby won't sleep unless held. What should I do?

A:

It's understandable that you want your little one to get the sleep they need and are offering extra support to achieve this. If you’d like to transition away from holding your child to sleep, there are several options for doing so. Many families prefer a gradual approach to teaching their child to fall asleep independently. This includes moving to a new, “easier” sleep association. For example, you can start by rubbing your toddler’s back or holding their hand while they fall asleep instead of holding them. From there, parents can continue offering less assistance over time, so the child learns to fall asleep independently.

Note: The content on this site is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your doctor, pediatrician, or medical professional. If you have questions or concerns, you should contact a medical professional.

8 Sources

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  1. American Academy of Pediatrics (2021). How to Ease Your Child’s Separation Anxiety. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/Pages/Soothing-Your-Childs-Separation-Anxiety.aspx

  2. Sleep Research Society (2015). Bedtime Routines for Young Children: A Dose-Dependent Association with Sleep Outcomes. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4402657/

  3. Sleep Medicine Reviews (2017). Benefits of a bedtime routine in young children: Sleep, development, and beyond. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6587181/

  4. Sleep Medicine Review (2018). Benefits of a bedtime routine in young children: Sleep, development, and beyond. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6587181/

  5. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (2019). Toddler Bedtime Routines and Associations With Nighttime Sleep Duration and Maternal and Household Factors. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6557658/

  6. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (2016). Discussion of Extinction-Based Behavioral Sleep Interventions for Young Children and Reasons Why Parents May Find Them Difficult. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5078709/

  7. American Academy of Pediatrics (2016). Behavioral Interventions for Infant Sleep Problems: A Randomized Controlled Trial. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/137/6/e20151486/52401/Behavioral-Interventions-for-Infant-Sleep-Problems?redirectedFrom=fulltext