Quick Answer: Toddler sleep regression is a temporary phase lasting 2-6 weeks, most commonly occurring around 18 months and 2 years. The best approach is to maintain your existing bedtime routine, respond calmly to night wakings, avoid introducing new sleep crutches (like co-sleeping if you didn’t before), and stay consistent. Your toddler’s sleep will return to normal—this phase always passes.
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What Is Toddler Sleep Regression?
Your toddler was sleeping through the night. Then suddenly, they’re fighting bedtime, waking multiple times, or refusing to stay in their crib. Welcome to sleep regression—one of the most exhausting phases of toddler development.
Sleep regression isn’t your toddler being defiant or you doing something wrong. It’s a neurological and developmental phenomenon where normal sleep patterns temporarily disrupt due to changes happening in your child’s brain and body.
Signs of toddler sleep regression:
Difficulty falling asleep at bedtime
Frequent night wakings after sleeping through
Earlier morning wake-ups
Shortened or skipped naps
Increased fussiness or clinginess
Fighting the bedtime routine they previously accepted
The frustrating truth: sleep regression often hits just when you thought you’d finally figured out your toddler’s sleep. But understanding why it happens makes it easier to navigate without derailing the progress you’ve made.
When Toddler Sleep Regressions Happen
Most toddlers experience sleep regressions at predictable ages, each linked to specific developmental changes.
The 18-Month Sleep Regression
This is often the most challenging regression because it combines multiple developmental factors hitting at once.
What’s happening developmentally:
Language explosion (brain is processing new words even during sleep)
Increased independence and testing boundaries
Separation anxiety peaks
Teething (molars often arrive around this age)
Transition from two naps to one
What it looks like: Toddlers may suddenly refuse to go into the crib, cry hysterically at bedtime, or wake frequently overnight asking for you.
The 2-Year Sleep Regression
Around age 2, another regression commonly occurs, often coinciding with major life changes.
What’s happening developmentally:
Growing awareness of their own autonomy
Increased imagination (and fears)
Big transitions (potty training, new sibling, moving to big-kid bed)
Testing limits more deliberately
Language development allowing them to negotiate and stall
What it looks like: Curtain calls at bedtime (“one more hug,” “I need water”), climbing out of the crib, or expressing fears about darkness or monsters.
Why Toddler Sleep Regression Happens
Understanding the causes helps you respond appropriately rather than panic that something is wrong.
Developmental Milestones
When your toddler’s brain is working overtime learning new skills—walking, talking, problem-solving—sleep often suffers. Their brain literally can’t turn off because it’s processing so much new information.
Separation Anxiety
Between 18 months and 3 years, separation anxiety can intensify. Your toddler now understands that you exist even when you’re not visible, which makes being apart at bedtime feel scary.
Teething Pain
Molars arrive between 13-19 months and again around 23-33 months. This teething is more painful than earlier teeth and can significantly disrupt sleep.
Illness and Discomfort
Ear infections, colds, and other illnesses commonly trigger sleep disruption. Even after the illness resolves, the sleep pattern disruption can linger for weeks.
Changes in Routine
Travel, daycare transitions, moving homes, or changes in family structure can all trigger sleep regression. Toddlers thrive on predictability, and disruptions to their world show up in their sleep.
Nap Transitions
The transition from two naps to one (typically 15-18 months) and the eventual dropping of naps entirely (usually around 3) can throw off nighttime sleep temporarily.
How to Handle Toddler Sleep Regression
The goal during sleep regression isn’t to “fix” anything—it’s to maintain your existing routines while the phase passes, without creating new habits you’ll need to break later.
Stay Consistent With Your Bedtime Routine
Your bedtime routine is more important during regression than at any other time. Don’t change it because your toddler is fighting it—the familiarity provides security even when they’re protesting.
Sample bedtime routine:
Bath time (15-20 minutes before bed)
Pajamas and diaper/pull-up
Brush teeth
2-3 short books or one longer story
Lullaby or quiet song
Goodnight phrase and into bed
If you need help establishing a routine, see our guide on creating bedtime routines for toddlers.
Keep Wake Times Consistent
Even if your toddler had a rough night, maintain their regular wake time and nap schedule as much as possible. Sleeping in or adding extra naps creates a cycle of poor nighttime sleep.
Respond Calmly to Night Wakings
When your toddler wakes overnight, respond—but keep interactions boring and brief.
How to respond:
Keep lights off or very dim
Speak in a quiet, calm voice
Provide brief reassurance (“It’s nighttime. Time to sleep.”)
Avoid picking them up if possible (try patting their back first)
Return to your room quickly
The goal is to reassure without making nighttime interactions more stimulating than sleep.
Avoid Creating New Sleep Crutches
This is where most parents inadvertently make regression worse. In desperation, they introduce new habits:
Sleep crutches to avoid during regression:
Bringing toddler into your bed (if you didn’t co-sleep before)
Lying with them until they fall asleep
Giving bottles or extended nursing sessions
Turning on TV or tablets
Driving them around to fall asleep
These “solutions” work in the short term but create new sleep associations you’ll need to eliminate later—essentially trading a temporary problem for a longer-term one.
Handle Separation Anxiety Gently
If separation anxiety is driving the regression:
Practice brief separations during the day
Create a “goodbye ritual” that’s consistent
Leave a comfort object (special blanket or stuffed animal)
Use a baby monitor with two-way talk so they can hear your voice
Offer reassurance verbally without extensive physical engagement
Address Physical Discomfort
If teething or illness is contributing:
Consult your pediatrician about appropriate pain relief
Offer extra fluids during the day (not as nighttime habit)
Use teething remedies recommended by your doctor
Keep sick toddlers comfortable without creating unsustainable sleep habits
Sleep Training During Regression
If your toddler was previously sleep trained, you may need to refresh their skills after regression passes. If they weren’t sleep trained, regression might motivate you to start. For a comprehensive approach, see our guide on how to sleep train your toddler.
Popular Sleep Training Methods
Different approaches work for different families and temperaments.
Gradual withdrawal (Chair Method): Sit next to your toddler’s bed until they fall asleep, then move your chair farther away each night until you’re out of the room. Good for parents who can’t tolerate crying and toddlers with separation anxiety.
Ferber Method (Graduated Extinction): Leave the room and return at increasing intervals (3 minutes, then 5, then 10) to briefly reassure without picking up. Works well for toddlers who escalate when parents are present.
Extinction (Cry It Out): Put toddler to bed awake and don’t return until morning (assuming safety). Most effective but hardest emotionally. Not appropriate for all children or families.
Pick Up/Put Down: Pick up your toddler when they cry, calm them, then put them back down. Repeat until asleep. Labor-intensive but gentler.
When to Start Sleep Training
Wait until:
Your toddler is healthy (no ear infections, teething pain, or illness)
No major transitions are happening (travel, new sibling, etc.)
You can commit to consistency for at least 1-2 weeks
Both parents are on the same page about the approach
Don’t start sleep training in the middle of regression—wait until the underlying developmental cause has passed, then address any lingering sleep issues.
Creating the Optimal Sleep Environment
Your toddler’s room setup can support better sleep during regression and beyond.
Darkness
Blackout curtains or blinds make a significant difference. Even small amounts of light can signal the brain to wake up. Aim for darkness that makes it difficult to see across the room.
Temperature
Keep the room between 68-72°F (20-22°C). Toddlers sleep better slightly cool than too warm.
White Noise
A consistent white noise machine blocks household sounds and creates a sleep cue. Use it for all sleep periods (naps and nighttime) at a volume similar to a running shower.
Comfort Objects
A special blanket or stuffed animal can help toddlers self-soothe when they wake overnight. Introduce the object during awake time too so it becomes a source of comfort.
Safety
If your toddler is climbing out of the crib or transitioning to a big-kid bed, ensure the room is fully childproofed. Secure furniture to walls, cover outlets, and remove choking hazards.
Daytime Factors That Affect Night Sleep
What happens during the day significantly impacts nighttime sleep.
Adequate Physical Activity
Toddlers need to burn energy to sleep well. Ensure plenty of active play, ideally including outdoor time. A tired body sleeps better than a restless one.
Appropriate Nap Schedule
An overtired toddler paradoxically sleeps worse at night. But napping too late or too long also interferes with bedtime. Most toddlers do well with:
12-18 months: Two naps totaling 2-3 hours, ending by 4 PM
18-36 months: One nap of 1-2 hours, ending by 3 PM
Nutrition and Eating Schedule
Heavy meals right before bed can cause discomfort. A small, sleep-friendly snack (like cheese and crackers or banana) about 30-60 minutes before bed can prevent hunger without causing digestive issues. For snack ideas, see our healthy toddler snack guide.
Screen Time Limits
Screen time within 1-2 hours of bedtime interferes with melatonin production and makes falling asleep harder. Create a screen-free window before bed and avoid using screens as part of the bedtime routine.
When to Talk to Your Pediatrician
Most sleep regression resolves on its own within 2-6 weeks. However, consult your doctor if:
Sleep disruption lasts longer than 6 weeks
Your toddler shows signs of illness (fever, pulling at ears, unusual fussiness)
You notice breathing issues during sleep (snoring, gasping, pauses)
Sleep problems are accompanied by significant behavioral changes
You’re concerned about your own mental health due to sleep deprivation
Sleep disorders, sleep apnea, and other medical conditions can look like regression but require professional evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does toddler sleep regression last?
Typical sleep regressions last 2-6 weeks. If disruption continues beyond 6 weeks, it may indicate a medical issue, an accidentally formed sleep habit, or the need for sleep training.
Is the 2-year sleep regression real?
Yes. While not every toddler experiences noticeable regression at 2, many do. It’s linked to language development, growing independence, and often coincides with major transitions like potty training or a new sibling.
Should I let my toddler cry during sleep regression?
Your response should match your parenting philosophy and your child’s temperament. Some crying is normal as toddlers protest changes. However, responding briefly and calmly is generally better than either ignoring them completely or providing extensive engagement that rewards waking.
Will sleep regression ruin my toddler’s sleep permanently?
No. Sleep regression is temporary by definition. However, how you respond can create habits that persist. Maintaining consistency and avoiding new sleep crutches helps ensure sleep returns to normal once the regression passes.
Can teething cause sleep regression?
Yes. The arrival of molars (around 13-19 months and 23-33 months) coincides with common regression ages and can directly cause or worsen sleep disruption. Consult your pediatrician about appropriate pain management.
Should I move my toddler to a big-kid bed during regression?
Generally, no. Adding a major transition during regression compounds the problem. Wait until sleep stabilizes before making changes like switching beds, unless your toddler is climbing out of the crib and safety is a concern.
Is co-sleeping a good solution during regression?
If you already co-sleep, continue your normal approach. If you don’t co-sleep, introducing it during regression often creates a new habit that’s harder to break. It’s a short-term fix that can create a longer-term problem.
How can I help my toddler with bedtime fears?
Acknowledge their fears without dismissing them (“I understand the dark feels scary”). Use a dim nightlight, provide a comfort object, and offer brief reassurance. Avoid elaborate “monster checks” that validate the fear as real.
What if one parent is more patient during night wakings?
That parent might handle more night duties during regression, but be careful about creating a preference that makes the other parent unable to settle the child. Trade off periodically so your toddler learns to accept comfort from both.
Will my toddler eventually sleep through the night again?
Yes. All toddlers eventually return to normal sleep patterns after regression. Your consistency and patience during this phase help ensure the return happens sooner rather than later.
Surviving Sleep Regression as a Parent
Your sleep matters too. Chronic sleep deprivation affects your patience, decision-making, and health.
Strategies for parents:
Take turns with your partner for overnight duties
Nap when your toddler naps (if possible)
Accept help from family or friends
Reduce non-essential commitments temporarily
Remember: this phase will end
If sleep deprivation is affecting your mental health or ability to function, reach out to your healthcare provider. Parental wellbeing matters.
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
Sleep regression is exhausting, frustrating, and feels never-ending when you’re in it. But every regression eventually passes. Your toddler’s brain is doing important developmental work, and disrupted sleep is a side effect of that growth.
By maintaining consistency, responding calmly, and avoiding the creation of new sleep crutches, you’ll emerge from regression with your toddler’s healthy sleep habits intact.
In a few weeks, this phase will be a memory—and you’ll have proven to yourself that you can handle the challenging parts of parenting a toddler.
For more support with your toddler’s development, explore the Kokotree app—designed to support learning through play for toddlers and preschoolers.
