As every parent knows, newborns rarely “sleep like a baby.” They wake up every few hours all night long and are typically wide awake before dawn every morning.
Older babies and toddlers, however, may live up to that description. They’ll pass out cold — and stay that way — often for 10 to 12 hours at a time.
So when your 2-year-old suddenly starts fighting bedtime, waking throughout the night or getting up before the sun, it’s normal to worry. But the good news is that toddler sleep regression is common, and typically short-lived.
What is sleep regression?
Babies and young children grow and change so quickly it can feel like they’re hitting new developmental milestones daily. Sometimes though, a child’s forward progress seems to stall — or even move in reverse.
Sleep is one of those skills that doesn’t always proceed in a linear manner. A baby who’s been sleeping through the night and napping like a champ for months is suddenly not. That’s sleep regression.
Sleep regression can happen at various times in your child’s development, but it’s especially common in toddlers. For this reason, it’s also sometimes called 2-year-old sleep regression.
Signs of toddler sleep regression
We all have occasional nights where we don’t sleep well, and toddlers are no exception. But if your child’s sleep patterns have drastically shifted for more than a few days, you’re likely dealing with sleep regression.
Signs of toddler sleep regression may include:
- Awakening multiple times throughout the night
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Fighting naptimes or skipping naps
- Waking up for the day much earlier than they have been
What causes sleep regression?
Your child’s brain and body are working overtime every day to grow, develop and learn new skills. Sometimes, those developmental milestones mean a step forward for one skill, and a step backward for another.
Sleep regression is often linked to physical changes, new circumstances or other developments. These can include changes such as:
- Birth of a new sibling
- Learning new skills (including climbing out of the crib, walking, talking)
- Moving to a new house
- Newly developed separation anxiety
- Potty training
- Teething
- Transitioning from a crib to a bed
How to handle toddler sleep regression
It’s important for parents to recognize that sleep regression is perfectly normal and almost always resolves within a few weeks. Establishing and maintaining a consistent bedtime and sleep routine is critical to helping your child get back on track.
Tips for handling sleep regression can include:
- Adding a light: If your toddler is newly afraid of the dark or feeling anxious about separating from you at bedtime, try a soothing nightlight. Look for one that provides a gentle glow and isn’t too bright.
- Avoiding screen time: Most experts recommend little to no screen time for toddlers. But if your child does play a game or watch a show on a phone or tablet, make sure they aren’t doing it right before bed. The stimulation can get in the way of restful sleep.
- Create a calming bedtime routine: A bath, a book and a snuggle can help your little one relax and give in to sleep. And doing the same thing every night makes these activities a cue that it’s time to calm down and go to bed.
- Giving up a nap: Your 2-year-old may be ready to ditch the morning nap or even shorten their afternoon one. But remember, an overtired toddler — who’s skipped naps completely — may be too wound up for sleep at bedtime.
- Limiting liquids: If your child is potty training, help them sleep through the night by limiting drinks in the hours just before bedtime.
With sleep regression, patience is key. As with every other parenting struggle, this too will pass. Stay calm and stay consistent — and before long your toddler will be sleeping well again.
