What Is 18 Month Sleep Regression?

“Eighteen-month sleep regression is a transition that toddlers undergo coinciding with their developmental stage,” Funke Afolabi-Brown, M.D. told Mom.com. If you think about what your toddler is going through at 18-months, it makes sense that they experience some sleep regression. According to Afolabi-Brown, they have a “developmental stage of increased independence that typically manifest as testing boundaries at bedtime.”

Toddlers may refuse to go to bed and may also wake up frequently. Plus, many kids are starting to get molars coming in, which can cause pain and discomfort resulting in further agitation. Kids may wake up with nightmares and have trouble falling back asleep.

Sleep regression symptoms include resistance to getting ready for bed. This may consist of tantrums. Kids may become agitated at bedtime routines and demand that a parent help them fall asleep. In addition to having problems going to bed, kids may also have problems staying asleep. They may frequently awaken during the night and be quite upset when they do wake up, especially if they are in pain or have had a nightmare.

How long does sleep regression last?

The duration of sleep regression varies from child to child. However, you can expect most cases to last anywhere from two to six weeks. In Christine’s case, her son had an extended case that lasted four months. This is considered a longer case and not indicative of most cases. In fact, Christine’s other three children had shorter spans of 18-month sleep regression.

The good news is that it is temporary and, with the right approach, won’t be too long of an inconvenience to your own sleep schedule.

A child at 18-months-old has a lot going on with him developmentally and physically. Your child is growing fast and growth hormones alone are enough to disrupt sleep cycles, making it harder for a child to fall and stay asleep. On top of that, they have a mouth full of teeth coming in and teething can be uncomfortable and even painful leading to agitation.

And while your child is establishing some levels of independence, they still need to know they are safe. At 18-months-old, your child could be experiencing some separation anxiety when they are left alone to sleep. This was the case with Christine, who moved her son into her bed for the duration of the sleep regression. Of course, their growing independence comes into play when it is time to prepare for bed, and they adamantly refuse, exerting their desire for control.

If your toddler is experiencing sleep regression, you may be wondering what to do about it. After all, you don’t want to establish poor sleep habits, but you do want to soothe your child and help them sleep better. Afolabi-Brown says there are a lot of things that you can do to help with sleep regression.

Here’s what you can do about it:

• Stick to your bedtime routine: Don’t change it just because someone is protesting it. You know what’s best for your child, so keep routines in order.
• Ensure a consistent schedule that includes naps: The more you can set consistency around awake and asleep times, the easier it will be to get through sleep regression.
• Engage with them in activities during the day, particularly time outside: Do what you can to help tucker them out for the end of the day and spend quality time with them.
• Treat any underlying pain or discomfort: Consult with your child's pediatrician about pain medication for teething to help soothe your child.
• Avoid responding right away: If your child awakens, give them an opportunity to self-soothe and if you must respond, be as boring and calm as possible.

When to call a doctor?
Most sleep regression doesn’t need a doctor’s intervention. However, if your child is experiencing any of the following, you may want to call your pediatrician.

Signs that you need to see a doctor include:

• Snoring or restless sleep
• Unconsolable crying
• Growth problems
• Feeding difficulties
• Pain that you can’t identify

Your doctor will be able to examine your child and help find a solution for the sleep disruptions.