20 Month Old Having Sleep Issues. Please Any Suggestions Are Welcome!

I've heard there is an 18-month sleep regression, which I am SO upset about since my LO just hit that mark. Apparently it is very common and is related to developmental issues. Lots going on in their little brains. But from everything I read, it just passes usually after 2 or 3 months. But I think their knowing how to go to sleep on their own is very important, especially at this age. They are becoming more defiant and willful, and you have to be able to put them to bed and walk away. And if you start bad habits during these periods, they are super hard to break. So stick with a routine and keep him in his bed at all costs!

Hi K.,

My son is eight and waking up at night too. How hard is it to wake her in the mornings? Maybe she needs a later bed time or more activity during the day. Play dates, pretend to chase her so she exerts energy and you don't, let her think she is help with chores like, sweeping, mopping, & vacuuming. We have a trampoline and my son only jumps for 10-15 minutes, and I let him pull weeds and pay him 10 cents each. Be creative. Let others take her to do things during the day that keep her active. Good luck.

If anyone has suggestions, I would love advise too. My son around the same time, decided that he will not sleep thru the night in his crib or by himself. He was a GREAT sleeper until around 20 months. Now, he goes to sleep in his room but every night wakes up and must come and sleep with us. We have tried putting him back in his bed but he will just wake up repeatedly every couple of minutes or so. We converted his crib to a toddler bed thinking maybe he would like that better...it only helps that now he can get up and walk over to our bedroom and we don't get out of bed. I tried the cry it out thing a few times but the last time was AWFUL. He never went to sleep, just cried and cried and banged on the door. He is 26 months now. I told myself at first that he would grow out of it but it is really getting a little old. I would love some suggestions.

What time do you put her down for bed? How are her naps? Sometimes if the bedtime is too late or a nap is missed, then overtired toddlers will have trouble sleeping through the night. It can become a vicious cycle as they just get more tired, and less and less able to sleep. Try moving her bedtime back by 30 -45 minutes, esp if naps aren't going well, either. Good luck!