The Twelve-Month Regression: Why Sleep Goes Crazy and How-to Cope
I’ve been meaning to write this post for a long time because it’s such a common issue. I hear from parents all the time, right around their child’s first birthday because sleep has gone CRAZY, and they don’t know why!
If you go to Google and type in “sleep regression” along with virtually any age (6 month, 7 month, 8 month, etc) you will likely get quite a few results. That’s just the internet for you. Plus, it makes sense because babies are constantly changing, meaning it’s entirely possible to experience a sleep regression at any age and stage.
But some sleep regressions really are more predictable and hit harder than others. The one that takes place around 12 months of age is certainly one of them.
First, let’s quickly define a “regression” because it’s a term that is often overused.
A regression is NOT anytime your child isn’t sleeping well. Some babies and toddlers have virtually never slept well. Trust me, I talk to those parents all the time – when they’re finally ready to hire me for help!
The correct definition of a sleep regression is: A period of time in which your child is not sleeping well, meaning they were sleeping well and now they are not.
What is meant by “not sleeping well”?
Signs of a sleep regression include shorter naps, extreme fussiness at bedtime, fighting sleep, and increased night wakings.
A typical sleep regression will last for a few weeks. It could be over within a couple weeks, it could last as long as 4 weeks, it really depends on the child. However, one thing is for sure – it will last longer if you let it.
What causes this regression?
The main factor causing the 12-month regression is the developmental leap of cruising and walking.
This is why you may experience this regression a little earlier than 12 months or a littler later. My boy twin started walking at 9 months and my girl twin didn’t walk until 15 months! So, they are perfect examples of why we say 12 months is the “average” age for walking!
As I explain to my clients, when your little one is learning a new skill, it’s ALL they want to do! Sleep is now the last thing on their minds as they are obsessed with mastering this cool new thing their body can do! This is normal, albeit frustrating, for parents who had been enjoying a good little sleeper.
But walking isn’t the only cause of the 12-month regression, though. There’s a LOT going on at this age. Here are a few other possible contributing factors…
A huge leap in language and social development. They may not be saying a lot of words yet, but they are understanding a lot more!
Twelve months can be a peak age for separation anxiety. If you’re experiencing it during the day, you’re going to experience it at night too.
Teething! The first molars can start coming in around this age. These larger, square teeth can be harder to spot as a parent, but they are typically more painful when they come in. If your child is a sensitive teether be on the lookout for these teeth and offer your chosen form of pain relief!
Changing sleep needs. A lot of parents get stuck in the 9-month-old schedule, not realizing that their baby is ready for longer wake windows (up to 4 hours before bed and about 3.5 hours between naps).
Now that we’ve covered the signs of the 12-month regression and the potential causes, how do you handle it?
#1 Adjust what’s within your control – routines and schedules.
If you don’t already have a solid and consistent bedtime routine, you need to start. At this age, there should no longer be a feed in the bedtime routine. I do give parents a little leeway on that, however.
If your baby is not quite 12 months old yet, for example, you may still be offering a bedtime feed. But it should be at the very start of the bedtime routine. Between 12-15 months of age is when I want you to get rid of the bedtime feed and make the switch from a bottle to a sippy cup. Milk at bedtime becomes a problematic sleep prop at this age, and after age one solids should be your child’s main source of nutrition. The sooner you can remove the association between milk and sleep, the better!
As far as the rest of the bedtime routine, it should be no longer than 30 minutes from start to finish. A nightly bath is not required but is always a great first step if you find it to be practical. Do the steps in the same order every night and include plenty of time for connection with your child. I call this “connection before separation”.
Once you’ve got your bedtime routine down, it’s time to address your child’s schedule. Could it be time to make an adjustment?
Some babies are ready to drop to one nap as early as twelve months, although it’s more common for this nap transition to happen around 14 or 15 months of age. Even if they aren’t quite ready to drop the second nap, they are probably ready for their first nap to be a bit later and for their second nap to just be a cat nap.
Sleep needs at this age range from 11-14 hours in a 24-hour period. Which means, if we’re looking for an 11–12-hour night of sleep, they only need 2 – 2 ½ hours of sleep during the day and good, healthy awake windows to build up enough sleep pressure.
#2 Let them work it out.
Once you’ve made sure to set your child up for success with a consistent bedtime routine and a schedule that makes sense, you need to let go of what’s out of your control.
The big developmental leaps at this age can and will lead to disrupted sleep. If your child is constantly standing up in their crib, walking around their crib, etc. Here’s what I want you to do…
Let them.
Of course, make sure the crib is at its lowest setting and they are safe. A sleep sack is highly recommended. But there’s not much you can do other than to let them get it out of their system!
Periodic and brief check-ins are great, but remember, less is often more. Don’t get into the habit of laying your child down every time they stand up. They can and will do that on their own when given the space.
#3 Offer Reassurance
If you feel separation anxiety is more of the issue, then your child may in fact need more support and reassurance. This is when my Stay-in-the-Room sleep training method that I use for toddlers becomes a helpful tool. I can teach you how to give them the support they’re looking for, but then gradually wean them off it, so that you aren’t stuck in their room for an hour or more every night.
This is also a great age to introduce a lovey! At 12 months, it is safe to have a stuffed animal or special blanket in the crib. Keep offering it, even if they don’t become attached right away. Both of my twins eventually learned to love their stuffed animals, even after showing very little interest when first introduced. Now they snuggle right up to them when I lay them in their cribs! It’s adorable!
Finally, when it comes to coping, your mindset is always the most important thing to adjust. This is just a phase, it’s not forever. It’s all a part of the normal ebbs and flows of sleep in the first few years. Stay strong, stay consistent, and you will get to the other side.
It’s not about avoiding sleep regressions (you can’t), it’s about handling them with confidence.
Establishing healthy sleep habits at a young age and continuously bringing them back, even after rocky periods, is the key to continued sleep success!
Do you need support and a plan for getting your child back on track, or to get sleeping going well for the first time ever? My 1:1 Coaching Services are for you!