Dealing with the 12-month sleep regression:
Tips for parents
Parenting is a wild adventure full of ups and downs, and just when you thought you had your baby's sleep all figured out, along comes the 12-month sleep regression.
No worries! You're in good company, and I'm here to help you understand what's going on, why it's happening, and what you can do to make it a bit easier for both you and your little one.
What's that twelve month sleep regression?
So, what's the deal with the 12-month sleep regression? Well, it's a time when your baby's sleep habits seem to get a little wacky. The little sleepyhead who used to snooze like a champ may start waking up more at night, taking forever to fall asleep, or just having shorter naps. This usually happens around your baby's first birthday, but it can sneak in between 10 and 15 months too.
Sleep regressions are almost always caused by big developments your little one is going through (the 4 month sleep regression is an exception, as this one is caused by a change in their sleep biology). The big changes your baby is going through can impact sleep in a big way. That’s why we like to call sleep regressions, sleep PROgressions. They’re going through some big developmental changes!
Why is my 1 year old suddenly not sleeping?
Around 12 months, lots is happening for your little one. As they are growing bigger and stronger, they are practicing how to cruise or even walk around. They are learning more words and will start to respond to simple demands. They also suffer from another bout of separation anxiety, which you will probably notice during the day as well. They will cry when you leave the room or when you’re out of sight. A big factor to sleep being affected is their changing sleep needs.
So, let’s take a look at what causes the 12 month sleep progression:
Physical development: Around the one-year mark, babies often learn how to walk or cruise around if they’re not quite there yet. This is so exciting for them and they’ll want to practice their new skill ALL the time. Even when they’re in bed!
Mental development: their language skills are developing more and more. They will start to use more words and are also able to understand more of what you’re saying to them! You’ll start to notice that they will be able to follow simple commands and have more intentional play.
Separation anxiety: Around 12 months, there is a peak in separation anxiety. Your little one is becoming more aware of their surroundings and as their object permanence further develops, they start to really dislike it when you leave them! While this is all very normal, it can make bedtime a bit hard. It often results in them crying at bedtime as soon as you leave the room. Or them crying out for you in the middle of the night!
Sleep needs: As they grow, your baby will be able to handle more awake time during the day. The mismatch between your current routine and their changed sleep needs can cause your 12 month old to fight sleep at bedtime, or have shorter naps.
How do I know my baby is going through the 12 month regression?
Some telltale signs your little one is going through the 12 month sleep regression:
Nap refusal: they simply aren’t able to fall asleep. They might lie awake happily in their bed, or cry out for you as soon as you leave the room.
Short naps: They suddenly wake up after just 30-45 minutes where they were previously having a longer nap.
Bedtime battles: they will cry out for you when you leave the room, or take a long time to fall asleep (longer than 20 minutes).
More wake ups: Your 1 year old suddenly wakes up more throughout the night
Will every baby go through the 12 month sleep regression?
Every baby will go through several phases of big developments. Some babies are less affected by it and will continue to sleep fine. For others, sleep will be affected in a big way. This has a lot to do with temperament and sleep habits.
What can I do to manage the 12 month sleep regression?
Using a holistic approach to move through the 12 month sleep regression will help you get through this phase quicker and more easily. Here’s my top tips to manage this difficult stage:
Practice!
Give your little one lots of time to practice their new skills during the day. Spend lots of time with them scooting around, practice walking, and just moving their body. This will make it less exciting for them to keep showing off their new skills as nighttime comes around.
Get outside:
Lots of physical activity is great but you know what’s even better? When you can do it outside! The fresh outside air and sunshine will help them get really tired once it’s time for a nap or bedtime. These little ones just love to go out and explore the world around them so try to give into that need.
Focus on connection:
Getting lots of 1 on 1 time in during the day will help them separate from you when it’s time for sleep. For some parents, this is a bit challenging as they are working during the day, and their toddler is in daycare. If this is the case, carve out some time in your evening routine to really connect with them. Do something your toddler really enjoys, without distractions. Even just 10 minutes can make such a difference!
Practice goodbyes:
Try not to sneak away during the day, as this make things worse! Practice saying goodbye during the day when you leave the room, so they learn that you’ll come back. A game of peek-a-boo can really help them understand this concept even more!
Adjust the routine:
Around 12 months, you’ll maybe start to notice they need some more awake time. If this is the case, play around with an extra 15 minute awake time in between naps.
Go back to the basics:
During a phase like this, it’s important to go back to your baby or toddlers sleep hygiene and see if this is still optimal for sleep.
“Using a holistic approach to move through the 12 month sleep regression will help you get through this phase quicker and more easily.”
Bonus tip: Some parents feel like their 12 month old is ready to drop to one nap, but I find that most 12 months old really still benefit from two naps a day. Dropping to one nap too soon, can cause sleep disruptions in the night due to overtiredness. If your little one is taking 1 great nap but is refusing their second one, see if it helps to shorten the first nap so there’s just that bit of extra sleep pressure once their second nap comes around.
How long does the 12 month sleep regression last?
While this can be different for every baby, the 12 month sleep regression usually lasts about 1 to 2 weeks. It’s important to stay consistent in your approach to sleep and the way you handle your baby’s night wake ups. This will help them get through this phase more quickly.
Is your baby’s sleep messy beyond these 2 weeks? Or do you feel like you’re stuck in habits and patterns that aren’t sustainable? During a 1 on 1 consult we can work together to get your little one sleeping again.
I will give you a structured approach to navigate the sleep difficulties and empower you with strategies to respond to your baby's needs while still being consistent in your approach. I will provide you with all the knowledge and tools to tackle any future sleep regressions so you feel confident going forward.
