What's Happening at 18 Months?
Your toddler is experiencing big emotions and major schedule changes. They're transitioning from 2 naps to 1, testing boundaries, and learning to handle complex feelings. Their emotional development combined with changing sleep needs creates the perfect storm for regression.
What's changing: Emotional growth + nap transitions + boundary testing = sleep chaos
Common Symptoms
Normal 18-Month Regression Signs:
- New tantrums around bedtime
- Bedtime resistance and boundary testing
- Early wake-ups or difficulty settling
- Clinginess alternating with defiance
- Nap struggles as they transition to one nap
What You Might Notice:
- "NO!" becomes their favorite word at bedtime
- Emotional meltdowns over small changes
- Fighting the second nap or skipping it entirely
- Testing every boundary you've established
Treatment at Home
✅ Building Cooperation:
- Give advance notice - "5 more minutes, then bedtime"
- Create visual routine charts - visual reminders help
- Celebrate small wins - praise cooperation
✅ Managing the Nap Transition:
- Watch for tired signs - don't let them get overtired
- Adjust bedtime temporarily - earlier if they drop a nap
- Be flexible during transition - some days 2 naps, some days 1
- Push morning nap later - do so gradually to create one midday nap
✅ Managing Big Emotions:
- Stay calm - your energy affects theirs
- Acknowledge feelings - "You don't want bedtime"
- Hold the boundary - "It's still time to sleep"
- Offer comfort - but without changing the rule
- Stay patient during tantrums - this too shall pass
✅ Boundary Setting:
- Consistent bedtime routine - no negotiating the steps
- Calm, firm responses - "It's time for sleep"
- Don't engage in battles - state the rule and follow through
❌ Avoid:
- Giving in to demands to avoid tantrums
- Lengthy negotiations at bedtime
- Changing rules based on their mood
Nap Transition Timeline
Still Needs 2 Naps:
- Morning: 9:30-10:30 AM (1 hour)
- Afternoon: 2:00-3:30 PM (1.5 hours)
- Bedtime: 7:30 PM
Transitioning to 1 Nap:
- Single nap: 12:00-2:30 PM (2.5 hours)
- Bedtime: 7:00 PM (may need to be earlier temporarily)
When to Contact Poppins
📱 Reach out if:
- Nap transition is causing extreme overtiredness
- Tantrums seem excessive or concerning
- Sleep disruption continues beyond 4 weeks
- You need strategies for boundary setting around sleep
When to Contact Your Pediatrician
🩺 Call if your child has:
- Snoring multiple nights per week
- Pauses in breathing, choking, or gasping during sleep
- Loss of language or motor skills (regression in development)
- Sustained extreme sleep disruption affecting daytime function
- Signs of illness or persistent discomfort
Remember: Emotions Are Big at 18 Months
Your toddler is learning to handle complex feelings while their sleep needs are changing. Resistance to sleep is often about control and emotional processing, not actual sleep issues. For more information on sleep regressions, you can read the full guide here.
Key insight: Consistency during this phase builds security. They're testing boundaries to make sure you'll keep them safe and help them regulate their big emotions.
This phase typically lasts 3-6 weeks as they adjust to new emotional skills and sleep schedules.
We'll check in with you within 48 hours after your visit. If your gut tells you something is wrong, don't hesitate to reach out.
