Understanding and Managing Toddler Sleep Regression

A good night’s sleep is critical to the proper functioning of any human being, particularly your growing child. A solid, restful sleep benefits both parents and children, and sudden changes to the carefully crafted sleep routines that parents build can be challenging for everyone involved.

Part of developing these wonderful and healthy routines with your kids is the inevitable arrival of sleep regression. Kids that once slept like angels can no longer get to bed, stay asleep and have trouble in all aspects of their sleep cycle. It can be defined as “a sudden and significant decline in sleeping patterns” and is common for all children, everywhere. Courtney English writes:

"Sleep regressions are a typical part of sleep development as your child's brain grows! Every child experiences their journey with sleep as they grow and develop. One thing that you can do to help with sleep regression is to keep a consistent routine and offer regulating sensory experiences to their bedtime routine. Wind Down is a great book to establish connection, nervous system safety, and movement that will help organize and calm the nervous system during these sleep regressions."

Thankfully, sleep regression usually resolves itself naturally and without the need for major intervention. While this is true, it doesn't change the fact that a child experiencing sleep regression can throw off the carefully crafted equilibrium that all parents work to create in their home. For this reason, we have designed a guide to help navigate these waters to get you and your kids back to those normal, consistent sleep patterns all parents and kids enjoy.

Signs of Sleep Regression

Most parents are acutely tuned into their kids' sleep patterns because they affect the household so much. They dictate when parents can hang out or when certain chores can be done and are one of the key factors that affect how your day with your child goes. That is why, if you notice these signs of sleep regression, you should begin to prepare to help your young one go through this phase of childhood. What are these signs?

• ​​Increased night waking
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Shorter naps or skipped naps
• Early morning waking
• More fussiness or crankiness, especially at bedtime
• Resistance to sleep routines
• Increased need for comfort or attention during the night
• Changes in appetite or mood during the day

If you notice a combination of these changes in your little one, you can likely expect that a sleep regression cycle is about to begin. What does a sleep regression cycle look like?

Sleep Regression Stages

As a parent, you will constantly be experiencing things that are new and challenging. When your first little one goes through sleep regression, you will be going through it as a parent for the first time and for some, it can be nerve-racking or worrisome. Don’t worry about it! Sleep regression typically happens in three stages and it can be expected to go like this.

1. Initial Disruption: Sleep becomes unsettled due to developmental milestones or changes, leading to increased waking, difficulty falling asleep, or shorter naps.
2. Peak of Regression: Sleep disruptions intensify, with more frequent waking, increased resistance to naps or bedtime, and possible mood changes like fussiness or clinginess.
3. Gradual Return to Normal: Over time, as the child adapts to developmental changes, sleep patterns begin to stabilize, returning to normal routines over a few weeks.

What Are Common Toddler Sleep Regression Ages?

Toddlers go through these sleep regression stages a handful of times as they are growing up. This is a healthy, normal part of the process and it is in part because of the developmental changes happening in our kids. As parents, we have to expect that sleep will not always be perfect and toddler sleep regression is a part of life. When does this normally occur in toddlers?

What Causes Sleep Regression in Toddlers?

Changes in life and routine are part of the equation as well. Life is not stagnant and as situations change, so do toddlers. Toddler sleep regression is normal and expected and can be influenced by many factors. What kinds of factors?

18 Months:

• Toddlers assert independence, which may cause resistance to sleep routines.
• Separation anxiety peaks and teething discomfort will almost always disrupt sleep.
• Language and motor skills are growing, leading to overstimulation at bedtime.

2 Years:

• Increased independence and testing boundaries lead to bedtime resistance.
• Toddlers sometimes experience nightmares or fears that interrupt their sleep.
• Potty training or developmental changes like learning to speak can affect their sleep patterns.

3 Years:

• Imagination expands, often resulting in vivid dreams or nightmares.
• An even stronger sense of autonomy may cause more defiance at bedtime.
• Social and emotional growth can create new challenges when winding down.

How Long Will My Toddler's Sleep Regression Last?

This too shall pass! There is no need to fret about sleep regression undoing all of your hard work forever. Typically, sleep regression only lasts a few weeks, ranging from the low end at 2 weeks to the high end at 6 weeks. Each child is different and you can expect different levels of sleep regression in each. With the help of consistent routines and by implementing simple strategies like we will discuss here, the regression will pass and your child will go back to sleeping as they had before. 

Tips for Dealing with Toddler Sleep Regression

Here are 7 easy-to-remember, helpful tips to help your toddler deal with their changing sleep patterns.

1. Maintain a Consistent Bedtime Routine: Stick to a predictable routine that includes calming and fun activities like reading, a warm bath, or soft music. This helps your kids know that it is time for bed.
2. Create a Calming Sleep Environment: It is best if rooms are dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature. White noise or soft lullabies are also helpful.
3. Comfort Objects are Helpful: A favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or special toy can help kids fall and stay asleep.
4. Set Age-Appropriate Sleep Schedules: Change your expectations based on your child’s age and development, but make sure they're getting the right amount of sleep for their age.
5. Be Patient and Offer Reassurance: During regressions, your little one will likely need more comfort and attention. Offer reassurance by staying calm, giving extra cuddles, or gently comforting them.
6. Limit Stimulation Before Bedtime: Reduce screen time, energetic play, or anything overly stimulating close to bedtime. 
7. Stay Consistent: Try not to introduce new habits, like co-sleeping or rocking to sleep, that you don’t plan to continue. Be consistent with how you respond to their night wakings.

For those looking to create a comforting routine without overstimulating the kids, Cali's Books offer a wide range of sound books that are perfect for the occasion. They even offer a bedtime book bundle and bedtime classical music, specifically designed for toddlers going to bed.

Can You Prevent Sleep Regression?

Sleep regression is a normal and healthy part of your child’s growth and should be treated as such. It doesn't mean you need to simply accept that this is how your little on will sleep from now on but it does mean that you should expect to have a few weeks of turbulent sleeps with smooth sailing just over the horizon.

Practices like consistent bedtimes, solid routines, avoiding overstimulation and many of the other recommendations will help to make this process smoother. Also, the earlier these habits are formed, the better your kids will work through their natural sleep regression cycles. As parents, we must also be mindful of changes to routines that we impose on our children (such as holidays, trips, etc.) and have grace with them when they react to changes in their schedules.

When to Call the Doctor About Sleep Regression

As mentioned, toddler sleep regression is completely natural and expected so you should give it time to work through its natural course. If you would like to seek medical advice, you can do so if these symptoms continue longer than a handful of weeks, or if your child's behavior changes radically. Also, if there are signs of a medical problem, please contact your doctor.

Sleep Regression: Normal, Expected and Temporary

Once you know how to deal with toddler sleep regression, it is a simple challenge to work through. The exciting part is that the onset of sleep regression indicates that your child is growing! It is completely normal and expected for all kids to go through a handful of sleep regression cycles during their childhood.

By noticing the signs and the expected ages of sleep regression in your toddler, understanding what they mean, and adjusting your routines to accommodate this temporary change, you will get through it easily. Remember to be sympathetic to your little one as well because they are just as disrupted as you are by their sleep regression!