How can I help my baby overcome a sleep crisis?
Sleep regressions always come with a lot of learning, depending on what stage of life your baby is in. At 18 months, your little one is not only learning new skills, such as running, climbing, imitating and naming different objects and people, but he or she is also showing a greater desire for independence and a better understanding of cause and effect. So, as he or she develops this ability to make choices, your baby may “decide” that he or she doesn’t want to sleep and trigger a sleep crisis.
5 tips to deal with the 18-month sleep regression
At this stage, your baby experiences major changes that can affect his sleep , with the clearest signs being nighttime awakenings, resistance to going to sleep, and very short naps.
1. Don't give up on your nap
Keep in mind that at 18 months, your little one still needs daytime sleep. If your baby refuses or resists taking a nap or only manages a short nap, keep persisting. In the meantime, you can move your baby's bedtime up earlier at night so that he or she isn't over-tired and has a harder time falling asleep.
Remember that sleep crises usually last a certain amount of time, generally between two and six weeks , so being consistent is key to overcoming this stage.
2. Encourage activities before putting your baby to bed
Most 18-month-olds need four to five hours of awake time before going to sleep at night . If necessary, wake your little one from his or her nap to get your little one to bed between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., but no later than that.
If you notice that sleep regression is accompanied by new skills, such as walking and talking, the best thing you can do is practice with your baby while he is awake so he won't feel like doing it when it's time to sleep.
3. Try to understand how your baby thinks and communicate with him
At this age, your little one understands much more than you might imagine. Verbalize what is happening , for example you can say: “I know you want to play and don’t want to go to sleep, but your body needs to rest. Mommy is going to sleep too. When you wake up, I will be here to continue playing. I love you.”
4. Keep your routine constant
Keep sticking to your sleep routine . Don't integrate new habits that you won't be able or want to maintain. Being consistent during a regression can be difficult, but inconsistency combined with a new understanding of cause and effect can create a long-term struggle at bedtime.
Consistency throughout the day will help your baby understand what is coming. Structure and routine are very effective for a baby's sleep.
5. Celebrate your baby's achievements
Every time he wakes up, whether from his nap or in the morning, congratulate him, hug him and be very enthusiastic about his achievement.
Keep in mind that sleep crises are temporary and represent important developmental steps for your little one . One of the main reasons for the 18-month sleep regression is that your baby is developing independence.
It is at this age that children realise that they have a certain amount of control and that their actions affect others . So they start to think something like: “Wait, I can choose what I do. Maybe I don’t want to sleep.” So be patient and keep your spirits up!
