Toddlers can also experience setbacks in their sleep during their development and growth, just as babies can. More often than not, parents are convinced that child sleep regression is only reserved for infants, and when the child reaches toddlerhood, there are no more problems regarding it. 

Still, as Doctor Ana, our dear expert in pediatric care in Miami, Florida, will often tell parents, sleep regression in toddlers may also happen due to their development and growth. From potty training to building and refining motor skills to developing their vocabulary, toddlers are living an exciting time. Sometimes soo exciting that sleep will suffer,

And to make things a bit more complicated, sleep regression in toddlers might be a bit trickier to manage compared to infancy, but with the right approach and commitment, these setbacks in sleep can be fixed. 

To get you started, this article will cover the essentials of toddler sleep regression and ways to get your child’s sleep schedule back on track. 

What is Toddler Sleep Regression? 

A toddler’s sleep regression denotes a disruption in your child’s customary daytime and nighttime sleep patterns. This can lead to missed or shortened naps, frequent awakenings during the night, or exceptionally early waking times in the morning.

Although toddler sleep regression is transitory, typically spanning a few weeks, it is a prevalent phenomenon that can manifest around the 12-month, 15-month, and 18-month milestones, as well as at the ages of two and three years.

Morning Awakening in Nightwear. Cute Little Girl Dabbles in White Bed

Signs of Sleep Regression In Toddlers

Child sleep regression can manifest in several ways. For the most part, the following clues may be able to pinpoint the problem: 

  • Night waking, or when your child suddenly wakes up again and again in the night.
  • Fighting nap time. This is toddler nap regression, or when your child fights against nap put-down or misses afternoon naps. 
  • Being fussier than usual. Toddlers will typically need 11 to 14 hours of sleep every night, and frequent crankiness may signal sleep deprivation and child sleep regression. 
  • Waking up too early. If suddenly your little one just starts waking up at the crack of dawn, that might be a warning sign. 
  • Climbing out of bed. Trying to escape from their crib or toddler bed might also indicate problems with sleep regression. 
  • Clinginess. Being extra clingy may be a way to express separation anxiety. 

Toddler Nap Regression: What Are The Causes?

What causes child sleep regression? The answers will usually be closely connected to mastering specific physical skills and going through certain development phases, such as:

  • Separation anxiety: Just like babies, toddlers will also go through this phase, and it may be the cause of sleep regression. They are simply crying and clinging to their favorite people. 
  • Issues with napping: Sleep and toddler nap regression may be due to the fact that the child has shifted from two to one daily nap. 
  • Physical achievements: Cruising, climbing, walking, and pulling up are just a few things that toddlers practice, and these things may all cause sleep regression. 
  • Potty training: The transition from diapers to the potty may also be the cause of sleep regression.
  • Cutting teeth: The growing pearly whites may also lead to sleep problems, especially when the molars and the canines start showing. 
  • Nightmares: Toddler sleep regression may also stem from more creative imagination and a better understanding of basic concepts, TV shows, and stories. These may all lead to a fear of the dark, night terrors, or nightmares. 
  • More words: During toddlerhood, your child’s language skills improve dramatically, which is exciting both for them and you. Sometimes, that excitement will lead to your name being called over and over again instead of night sleep or napping. 
  • Illness: Cold, fever, and ear infections may all keep your child up at night. 
  • Sleepwalking: Even if it is harmless, sleepwalking may develop from sleep deprivation, or it may signal problems with night terrors or sleep apnea. 
  • Screen time: Although it’s advisable for toddlers aged 18 months and above to have limited and supervised TV exposure, practical circumstances can often intervene. Your toddler might inadvertently catch a glimpse of an older sibling’s show or news, potentially triggering concerns, apprehension, or unease due to the content. Additionally, screens emit blue light that can disrupt the body’s melatonin production, leading to a misconception in your internal clock that it’s daytime.
  • Getting a new bed: The transition from a crib to a bed can be a significant change for most toddlers. Also, getting up and out of bed is way easier than in a crib, so expect some experimenting. 
  • Life changes: Toddler sleep regression may also develop due to moving to a new place, the birth of a sibling, getting a different babysitter, or because of starting daycare or preschool. 

Child Sleep Regression: How Long Will It Last

If you’re pondering the duration of sleep regressions in toddlers, these phases can vary among children, spanning from one or two weeks to six weeks. The duration of a sleep regression is primarily contingent on how swiftly the specific issue is identified and effectively addressed.

For instance, a child transitioning from a crib to a toddler bed might require several weeks to grasp the need to remain in bed throughout the night. Conversely, a child grappling with the fear of the dark or objects in the closet could find solace relatively quickly through solutions like hallway lighting or a new comforting item to hold in bed.

The Child Was Scared Before Going to Bed. Night Terrors in a Child. The Kid Covers His Face With His Hands in a Fear

Sleep Regression in Toddlers: How To Deal With It?

Addressing the problem may take some experimentation along with trial and error. Still, the following steps may help you get off the right foot:

  • Go with the flow. Don’t get upset or try to bribe your toddler to stay in bed. Just return them to their bed with some fanfare when they get up. 
  • Add some light. If your little one is afraid of the dark, leaving the door ajar or leaving a soft glow in one corner of the room may be a good idea. 
  • Let a nap go. If there’s no need for morning naps, phase them out. Still, keep afternoon naps scheduled. 
  • Limit screen time. TV close to bedtime should be limited or even eliminated. At least two hours before going to bed, make sure to turn the screens off. 
  • Review your routine. Keep your tuck-in routine and, if possible, lengthen it if your toddler needs some slowing down. Consider a longer bath or a longer story to help them relax and tire them out. 
  • Offer a bite. A small snack can be pretty helpful, especially if your child wakes up because of feeling hungry. Opt for something light like a piece of toast and peanut butter or fruit and yogurt. 
  • No drinks. Limit drinks early in the evening, or consider setting up a travel potty in the bedroom. 

When to Get Help? 

It’s advised to call your pediatrician if the sleep interruptions last for over a week, especially if there are potty accidents or loud breathing and snoring at night. 

You may also call for expert help if the child is sleepy during the day because of missing too much sleep during the night. Also, reach out if they are displaying behavioral problems or have trouble separating from you.

On that note, you can always reach out to us and Doctor Ana.