Post 12 months of age, there are, albeit fewer hits and misses on the sleep front in toddlers. Around 18 months of age, toddlers can experience a minor blip in their sleep which include multiple night wakings, nap time and bedtime refusal, and difficulty going back to sleep after waking.
Why does it happen?
– Toddlers are going through massive stages of development – mostly walking, learning to talk, learning independence, and testing boundaries. New skills and absorbing the atmosphere around them could overwhelm them, which in turn affects sleep. Coupled with teething, separation anxiety, and reduced daytime sleep could impact the regression phase.
How to deal with it?
– Stick to a routine and offer wind-down slots at each nap time. Be consistent in nap times and offer age-appropriate wake windows to set expectations surrounding nap time and when to expect bedtime. Most importantly, be consistent in your approach. Toddlers thrive on routine and always love to expect what comes next – don’t catch them off, guard. Cuddles and comfort go a long way in dealing with regression.
