24-Month Sleep Regression: Signs, Causes, and How to Help Your Toddler Sleep Again

Around 24 months, many toddlers go through a stage of disrupted sleep known as the 24-month sleep regression. Bedtime resistance, night waking, and shortened or skipped naps are common after months of settled sleep.

This stage is linked to rapid cognitive and emotional development. Toddlers are learning new skills, testing boundaries, and becoming more independent, and sleep often becomes lighter and less predictable as a result of this shift.

The disruption is usually temporary and resolves with consistent sleep habits and a stable routine.

For guidance on earlier sleep regressions, explore our guides on the 4-month, 6-month, 8-month, 12-month, and 18-month sleep regressions.

24-Month Sleep Regression Signs

The 24-month sleep regression usually improves with time, but a consistent approach can make this stage easier for both you and your toddler.

A predictable routine, an age-appropriate sleep schedule, and calm responses to bedtime resistance and night wakings tend to help most.

1. Nap Resistance and Shorter Naps

Many toddlers begin resisting their usual daytime nap or sleep for much less time than before.

A toddler may refuse a nap despite appearing tired, take much longer than usual to fall asleep, or wake much earlier than expected after only a short nap.

If your toddler is transitioning from two naps to one, our guide to the 2-to-1 nap transition explains when this change typically happens and how to adjust nap timing while helping prevent overtiredness.

2. Bedtime Resistance and Stalling

As toddlers become more independent, bedtime often becomes a time for testing limits and delaying sleep.

Common patterns include crying or protesting at bedtime, repeated requests for another drink, story, hug, or trip to the potty, and taking much longer than usual to fall asleep.

3. Frequent Night Wakings

Toddlers who previously slept through the night may suddenly begin waking more often.

A toddler may wake more frequently than usual, need a parent nearby to settle back to sleep, or wake upset, frightened, or seeking extra reassurance.

What Causes the 24-Month Sleep Problem?

The 24-month sleep regression is most commonly caused by rapid brain development, growing independence, changing sleep needs, and separation anxiety.

These changes are a normal part of toddler development and can temporarily disrupt sleep.

1. Growing Independence

Around 2 years of age, toddlers exhibit greater independence and may display defiant behaviour as part of typical development.¹ Bedtime often becomes one of the first places where they test limits, leading to bedtime resistance and stalling.

2. Rapid Brain and Language Development

By 2 years, most toddlers are forming short phrases and following simple instructions as part of expected developmental milestones.² An active mind can make it harder to settle at bedtime or fall back asleep after normal night wakings.

3. Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a normal stage of emotional development that commonly persists into the second year and can affect settling at bedtime.³ This can lead to crying, calling for a parent, or difficulty settling without comfort.

4. Changing Sleep Needs

Toddlers aged 1 to 2 years require 11 to 14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, including naps.⁴ As this need shifts, bedtimes that are too early or too late, inconsistent naps, or changes in routine can all affect sleep quality.

5. Shifts in Daily Routine

Disruptions to routine can unsettle sleep temporarily.⁵ Events such as starting daycare, travelling, moving to a toddler bed, or welcoming a new sibling can have this effect.

How Long Does the 24-Month Sleep Regression Last

Most toddlers move through the 24-month sleep regression within 2 to 6 weeks. Improvement often happens in stages, with easier bedtimes returning before night wakings settle, or naps stabilising before overnight sleep does.

Timing varies by child. A toddler working through several developmental changes at once, such as language growth alongside toilet training, may take longer to settle than one facing a single change. A consistent schedule and bedtime routine tends to shorten this stage.

If sleep has not improved after 6 weeks of consistent routines, speak with a pediatrician, as outlined further below.

How to Help Your Toddler Through the 24-Month Sleep Regression

The 24-month sleep regression usually improves with time, but a consistent approach can make this stage easier for both you and your toddler.

Rather than making major changes, focus on predictable routines, an age-appropriate sleep schedule, and calm responses to bedtime resistance and night wakings.

1. Support a Healthy Sleep Schedule

A well-balanced daytime schedule helps build enough sleep pressure for an easier bedtime and more settled nights.

a. Keep One Consistent Nap

Most 2-year-olds still benefit from one daytime nap. Dropping it too early can lead to overtiredness, making bedtime resistance and night wakings more likely.

A typical schedule may look like this:

Aim for about 5 to 6 hours of awake time between the end of the nap and bedtime. For example, if the nap ends at 3:00 PM, bedtime is often easiest around 8:00 PM.

b. Offer Quiet Time When Naps Are Refused

Some toddlers begin refusing naps even though they still need daytime rest. On these days, 45 to 60 minutes of quiet time in bed or a calm play area with books or quiet toys can substitute for the nap.

If your toddler misses the nap, consider moving bedtime 20 to 30 minutes earlier to help prevent overtiredness.

2. Reduce Bedtime Battles

Around 2 years of age, many toddlers push against limits as part of normal development. A calm, predictable bedtime routine helps reduce bedtime struggles without turning sleep into a power struggle.

a. Give Simple Choices

Offer small choices that allow your toddler to feel independent while keeping the bedtime routine on track, such as choosing between two pairs of pyjamas, picking which two bedtime stories to read, or deciding whether to brush teeth before or after putting on pyjamas.

b. Keep the Last Hour Calm

Avoid screens during the hour before bedtime. Instead, choose quiet activities such as reading together, listening to soft music, or cuddling in dim lighting. A calming routine helps your toddler prepare for sleep.

c. Set Clear Bedtime Boundaries

Many toddlers delay bedtime with repeated requests for another drink, another hug, or one more story. Try to include these needs in the bedtime routine before lights out. Once bedtime begins, respond calmly and consistently so your toddler learns what to expect each night.

3. Respond Calmly to Night Wakings

Night wakings are common during this stage. Your toddler may wake looking for reassurance, especially during periods of separation anxiety or rapid development.

Keep lights low, speak softly, and offer brief reassurance without introducing new sleep habits that may be difficult to maintain. Returning your toddler to bed in a calm, consistent way often works better than long conversations or stimulating activities during the night.

If your toddler sleeps in a bed and comes out of the bedroom, quietly walk them back each time using the same short phrase, such as, “It’s time to sleep.” Consistency is more effective than lengthy explanations.

4. Manage Early Morning Wakings

Early morning waking around 5:00 AM is common during the 24-month sleep regression and often points to a scheduling mismatch rather than a genuine problem.

A bedtime set too early or too late, a nap ending too late in the afternoon, or insufficient daytime sleep can all push morning waking earlier.

Holding nap times, bedtime, and wake-up time steady each day helps regulate a toddler’s circadian rhythm and reduces early waking over time.

For more details, read our 5 AM Wake-Up Fix guide for age-specific scheduling tips and practical solutions.

What If Your Toddler’s Sleep Problems Do Not Improve?

If sleep problems continue past the usual timeframe covered above, review your toddler’s sleep schedule, bedtime routine, and how you respond to night wakings. Even small inconsistencies can make this phase last longer.

Need more support? Read our TRUST Method for Sleep Regression, a step-by-step, connection-based approach to reducing night wakings in babies and toddlers from 4 months to 4 years.

Looking After Yourself During the 24-Month Sleep Regression

The 24-month sleep regression can be just as challenging for parents as it is for toddlers. Caring for yourself can help you stay patient, consistent, and better able to support your child’s sleep.

Simple ways to care for yourself include:

• Rest when you can. Even a short nap or quiet break while your toddler sleeps can help restore your energy.
• Share nighttime responsibilities. If possible, alternate night wakings with your partner or another caregiver to reduce exhaustion.
• Take short breaks. A few minutes of deep breathing, gentle stretching, or a brief walk can help lower stress during difficult days.
• Limit caffeine late in the day. Too much caffeine may make it harder for you to sleep when you have the opportunity.
• Accept help. Family and friends may be able to assist with meals, household tasks, or childcare so you can rest.

If ongoing sleep disruption is leaving you overwhelmed, our guide on Parental Burnout During Sleep Regressions offers practical strategies for protecting your own health while supporting your toddler.

What Not to Do During the 24-Month Sleep Regression

This phase is temporary, but some common mistakes can make sleep problems last longer.

Frequently changing bedtime or nap schedules, and skipping naps because a toddler resists sleep, can both make this stage harder to move through.

Introducing new sleep habits that may be difficult to maintain, such as rocking a toddler to sleep every night or bringing them into the parental bed if this is not the usual routine, can create new challenges once the regression passes.

Screens during the hour before bedtime, responding differently each night, and forgetting that this stage is usually temporary can all make bedtime expectations less predictable and prolong the disruption.

When to Talk to Your Pediatrician

Most toddlers move through the 24-month sleep regression within 2 to 6 weeks. However, sleep problems can sometimes have another underlying cause.

Speak with your pediatrician if your toddler:

• Snores loudly, gasps, or has pauses in breathing during sleep.
• Seems unusually sleepy during the day despite getting enough sleep.
• Wakes frequently with severe distress, confusion, or repeated night terrors.
• Has persistent ear infections, nasal congestion, or breathing difficulties that affect sleep.
• Has feeding difficulties, poor growth, or other health concerns.
• Continues to have significant sleep problems for more than 6 weeks despite consistent sleep routines.

Final Thought

The 24-month sleep regression is a temporary stage that many toddlers experience as they grow and develop. Disrupted sleep during this stage usually improves with time and consistent sleep habits, even when it unsettles the household for a few weeks.

Every toddler follows their own developmental timeline, so the timing and severity of sleep changes can vary. If sleep problems continue for several weeks or are accompanied by any of the symptoms above, speak with your pediatrician for further evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my 2-year-old suddenly waking at 5:00 AM?

Early morning waking is common during the 24-month sleep regression. A bedtime that is too early or too late, a late afternoon nap, or changing sleep needs can all contribute. Small adjustments to your toddler’s sleep schedule often help.

Should I drop my toddler’s nap during the 24-month sleep regression?

Usually not. Most 2-year-olds still benefit from one daytime nap. Dropping the nap too early can lead to overtiredness, making bedtime resistance and night wakings more likely.

How can I reduce bedtime battles during the 24-month sleep regression?

Keep the bedtime routine calm and consistent, offer simple choices such as selecting pajamas or a bedtime story, and respond to stalling with gentle but predictable boundaries each night.

How should I respond to night wakings?

Offer brief reassurance in a calm, quiet way while keeping nighttime interactions to a minimum. Consistent responses help your toddler feel secure without creating new sleep habits that may be difficult to change later.

Can separation anxiety affect my toddler’s sleep?

Yes. Around 2 years of age, some toddlers become more aware when a parent leaves the room. This may lead to bedtime resistance, night wakings, or needing extra reassurance before settling back to sleep.

Can teething cause sleep problems at 2 years?

Yes. Teething can temporarily disrupt sleep and may occur alongside the 24-month sleep regression. If your toddler has swollen gums, increased drooling, or seems uncomfortable during the day, teething may also be contributing to sleep problems.

Will the 24-month sleep regression affect potty training?

It can. Some toddlers who are learning to use the toilet may wake during the night or ask to use the potty at bedtime. Keeping bedtime routines predictable while supporting potty training often helps reduce disruption.

When should I talk to my pediatrician?

Speak with your pediatrician if your toddler’s sleep problems last longer than 6 weeks, or if they are accompanied by loud snoring, pauses in breathing, poor growth, persistent daytime sleepiness, or other concerning symptoms.

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