Are you pulling your hair out because your almost 1-year old has gone from being a great sleeper to refusing to go down for their nap? Or is your little one now waking up during the night when you thought all of that was behind you? Don’t worry – it’s a completely normal stage of your little one’s development!
Congratulations on making it through the first 3 sleep regressions, with the 4 month sleep regression being the largest. At around 11-12 months of age your little one is well on their way to becoming a toddler. They’re incredibly aware of their environment and, with boundless curiosity, they love nothing more than exploring their world and the role they play in it.
They’re crawling, pulling themselves up to stand, and are even starting to take their first steps. They’re honing their gross and fine motor skills, and they’re learning how to communicate their wants and needs (very insistently, I might add!) to everyone around them. With so much happening in their growing brains, it’s not surprising another sleep regression comes along at this age.
My top 3 tips for surviving the 12-month sleep regression
Don’t drop that second nap!
At around 12 months of age your little one might start refusing their second nap. This is the 12-month sleep regression. Often when this happens, parents take it as a sign that their child is ready to drop that second nap. Don’t do it!
If you need to fine tune your toddler’s nap routine, you can purchase my nap routines from 6 weeks through to 4 years here.
Most babies aren’t ready to drop their second nap until around 15-18 months.
Check out my Nap Transitions blog here.
Push through their nap refusal by continuing to put your little one down for their nap just like you always have – at the same time of day, for the same length of time. They might not go to sleep, but keeping the routine is important because…
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Consistency is key
Just like earlier sleep regressions, the 12-month sleep regression won’t last forever – I promise! Every baby is different but as a guide, you can expect your little one to work their way through the 12-month sleep regression in around 2-4 weeks – as long as you’re consistent with your regular settling approach.
Toddlers thrive on routine and consistency. At this age, when so much is changing for them, one of the best things we can do for them is to try and keep the rest of their world as consistent as possible. If you start doing something different every time your little one wakes, the sleep regression will last longer, they’ll become more resistant to your efforts to return to sleep, and you’ll be in for a much more challenging time.
If your little one hasn’t been rocked to sleep, had milk overnight (for a long time), or slept in your bed up until this point, now is not the time to start.
Remember – your little one is normal
The last thing you need to do at this stage in your little one’s life is to start wondering if their sleep regression is normal. I can tell you – having worked with thousands of families and having gone through it three times myself – that it absolutely is! Some might feel it more intensely than others, but I promise you – every baby goes through these regressions.
You can read about the 5 stages of sleep regressions here.
Your little one (and you!) WILL get through the 12-month sleep regression stage. That adorable little sleeper you’ve had for the last few months WILL come back and they WILL return to their previously great sleeping habits. In the meantime, be consistent, be persistent, and be patient. You’ve got this Mumma.
If you’d like some extra help, you can book in for a one-to-one session. We can give you more great advice on how you can help your little one work through their 12-month sleep regression, tailored specifically for your family.
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