The sight of a sleeping toddler is heavenly. After a day filled with lots of laughter, hugs, kisses, and snacks, a tired toddler should go to bed and sleep. This is not the case sometimes. Parents who have thanked their lucky stars that the era of sleepless nights is finally over may be in for a surprise.
When a baby has passed the sleep regression phases, surprisingly, due to the increase in hormones as the toddler grows, there can be new outbursts of this phase. How to get an 18-month-old to sleep through the night can be an ordeal.
sleep regression
All babies go through a period of sleep regression many times during their childhood. The 18-month sleep regression phase is considered the worst by far. If your friends are parents, have you ever asked them how to get your 18-month-old to sleep fast? For many reasons, this is justified as the worst phase because your baby may refuse to sleep during the day or night.
Usually this phase only lasts 2-6 weeks. It may seem more challenging as your baby becomes more vocal about her wishes. Don’t worry as this period will not last forever and she will soon be enjoying those long peaceful dreams again.
Helpful sleep tips
If, like many parents, you’re wondering how to get an 18-month-old to sleep in a jiffy, here are some helpful tips:
1. Do not excite your child a few hours before bed.
2. Be sure to limit your toddler’s sugar intake around bedtime, as that can give him a sugar rush. The sugar rush will make him refuse to sleep.
3. Keep the bedtime ritual as usual. Don’t make significant changes to it as that can confuse a child very quickly.
4. Give your child a nice warm bath.
5. Massage the baby’s legs to relax him.
The new changes can affect a baby’s sleep cycle.
Frustrated parents always wonder how to get an 18-month-old to sleep after they woke up in the middle of the night for no reason. The cycle may seem endless as the toddler keeps waking up after one hour or another.
You can always keep in mind if there have been any new changes in your toddler’s life. A recent disturbance or change can affect a child’s sleep cycle or cause anxiety. Adding a new sibling to the family or potty training can be stressful for young children.
Try to calm your toddler down and shower him with affection and attention. 6 weeks of disturbed sleep can drive any parent crazy. Some parents are lucky enough to never have to experience sleep regression cycles with any of their children.
How to get an 18-month-old to sleep can be a challenge for all parents. But once the little boy has gone to sleep, mommy and daddy can’t help but look at her little angel, waiting to hug him as soon as he wakes up.
