Jackson has always been a fantastic sleeper. He started sleeping through the night at 5 weeks old, never got hit super hard by any of the major regressions, and has been a champion napper since day one.
Until a few weeks ago.
We are officially in the throes of the 2-year nap regression. Over spring break when Mr. Garland and I were both home, Jackson skipped his nap more days than he actually took it. It didn’t help the the regression hit right around the same time as Daylight Savings Time, so we were slammed by both things at once.
One day, when I was feeling particularly desperate and frustrated at his lack of sleep, I did a bit of reading and research on the dreaded 2-year sleep regression, and I learned a few things that may be helpful to anyone else going through the same thing.
– The most important thing to know is it is temporary. All the experts say it is extremely rare for a two-year old to actually stop napping – usually naps last until around three or even four. So, if you feel like all hope is lost, keep pushing through because it is just a phase and it will stop eventually.
– Do not give up – everything I’ve read recommends at least giving your child an opportunity to nap every day until age three. And just because they’re happily singing in their crib instead of napping, that doesn’t mean you should go get them! I have taken to allowing Jackson to hang out in his crib for his entire normal nap time (about two hours) as long as he’s happy. If it’s been more than an hour and a half or so and he starts crying, I’ll go get him.
– This should be the last big regression! Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s all smooth sailing from here, but generally speaking the two-year nap regression is the last major regression that sleep experts recognize. That’s got to be good news!
– Remember that a lot of the problem may have to do with your toddler exerting their newfound independence and testing boundaries! Many experts recommend letting your toddler have some more control over nap time (reading a book beforehand, singing a song, etc.) so that they feel like they are a little more in charge of the situation.
Overall the biggest thing I kept reading over and over was to just remember that consistency is key and it’s not time to let go of the nap yet. I have continued to lay Jackson down at his regular nap time every day, and on the days he decides to skip a nap I make it very clear that he has to stay in his bed until nap time is over, even if he doesn’t sleep.
This regression is frustrating, exhausting, and a little scary (I’m not ready to let go of naps!), but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it will only last a few weeks and then we’ll be back to normal!
Have you dealt with the two-year nap regression yet? Any tips for surviving it?
guest
Definitely agree that consistency is key. We started allowing our toddler to take his water bottle and book into bed (and he already has some stuffed animals) so that if he isn’t tired he can read or play with his animals. We changed to saying he had to rest quietly rather than nap or sleep. Many days he would be up there talking and singing for an hour before falling asleep. Any other key was to not go back up to check on him or tell him to quiet down or sleep (unless it got really rowdy) cause that just encouraged him to try to stay awake more. Now at 2.5 we are back to 2 or 3 hour naps in the afternoons most days. Woohoo!
nectarine / 2436 posts
Haha that face. It’s like he’s saying try it, Mom… try to control me
pomelo / 5628 posts
All I will say is that my 3 year old naps daily and actually seems to look forward to it! Our worst regression was 18-20 months, then a few skipped naps in the mid twos, but we are good now!
coconut / 8483 posts
We also had the two year regression just around 23 months. It was rough. Now he is sleeping great though. It lasted a couple weeks.
guest
Oh man we were hit hard by the 2 year nap regression, at first my son would play quietly in his crib, I tried books and letting him take one special toy of his choosing, soon after my son would just scream and scream and scream the whole time he was supposed to be napping, he was a disaster! He would fall asleep for 5 mins during the day at random times and places- I was so exhausted… About ready to give up (I kept it consisted even though sometimes he would be in his crib for 20 mins total – with me checking and reminding him it was time for nap, quiet time) one day he went down for a nap no complaints and that was it, he’s been napping great ever since! He actually looks forward to naps these days! He’s 2.5 now but those 2 months or so were awful!!
guest
My son is 2 & 1/2, not sure if his is sleep regression? He will still nap but he has taken to waking up at 4 am for a couple hours—sometimes he doesn’t go back to sleep at all. I’ve tried shortening naps & he goes to bed at about 7:30 but it can take him awhile to fall asleep. Not sure what to make of it all!