24 Month Sleep Regression: Signs, Causes and How to Fix Toddler Sleep
What it is, why it happens, how long it lasts, and how to get through it
If your toddler has recently turned two and sleep has suddenly become more challenging, you’re not imagining it. Around 24 months, many families experience what is commonly referred to as the 24 month sleep regression. Bedtime battles may intensify, night waking can reappear, naps may be resisted, and early mornings can suddenly become the norm.
This stage is driven by big emotional, cognitive, and behavioural development, and while it can feel exhausting, it is a very normal part of toddlerhood.
What is the 24 month sleep regression
The 24 month sleep regression is a temporary disruption in sleep that tends to occur around a child’s second birthday.
It often shows up as increased bedtime resistance, difficulty settling, overnight waking, early rising, or a toddler who suddenly wants much more control around sleep.
Unlike infant regressions, this stage is less about sleep structure and more about emotional development, boundaries, and independence.
Is the 24 Month Sleep Regression Real?
The term “24 month sleep regression” is commonly used to describe a period of disrupted sleep that often appears around a child’s second birthday.
While it is widely talked about, it is not a regression in the traditional sense where sleep skills are lost.
Instead, this stage reflects a significant period of emotional, cognitive and behavioural development.
Around two years of age, toddlers are learning independence, testing boundaries, developing imagination, and adjusting to gradually changing sleep needs. These developmental shifts can show up as bedtime resistance, night waking, nap refusal or early morning rising.
Your toddler is not forgetting how to sleep.
Rather, their growing awareness, need for autonomy and emotional development can temporarily make sleep feel more challenging.
The good news is that this phase is temporary. With consistent routines, clear boundaries and supportive responses, sleep typically settles again as development stabilises.
Why does the 24 month sleep regression happen?
Several major developmental changes converge around this age.
Big emotional development
Around two years of age, toddlers experience a surge in emotional awareness.
Feelings are bigger, frustration tolerance is lower, and the ability to regulate emotions is still very limited. Sleep times often become the place where these big emotions surface.
Growing independence and autonomy
Two year olds are driven by autonomy. They want to assert control, make decisions, and test boundaries. Bedtime can quickly become a battleground if sleep feels like something they have no say in, leading to bedtime battles and resistance.
Increased imagination and fear
As imagination develops, many toddlers begin experiencing new fears around sleep. Fear of the dark becomes more common, as does anxiety about being alone at night. These fears can feel very real to your child, even if nothing has changed in their environment.
Some children may also experience sleep disruptions linked to parasomnia, which can include night terrors, nightmares, or confusional arousals, all of which commonly appear or increase during toddlerhood.
Changes in sleep needs
By this age, most toddlers are well settled on one nap, but total sleep needs continue to slowly decrease. If the balance between nap length, awake time, and bedtime is slightly off, night sleep can be affected.
Reviewing a realistic 2+ year sleep routine can help determine whether small adjustments are needed to better support overnight sleep.
Example 2 Year Old Sleep Routine
What are common signs of the 24 month sleep regression?
Common signs include:
Increased bedtime resistance
Night waking
Early morning waking
Nap refusal or shortened naps
Increased fears or anxiety at night
Wanting more control around sleep
If your toddler is waking overnight regularly, it can be helpful to explore why is my baby waking frequently, as multiple factors can overlap even at this age.
Common Sleep Problems at 24 Months
Not every toddler experiences the 24 month sleep regression in the same way. Some children suddenly struggle at bedtime, while others begin waking overnight or resisting naps altogether.
Understanding what you are seeing helps determine whether this is developmental, routine related, or behavioural.
Bedtime Battles Suddenly Appear
One of the most common challenges at this age is bedtime resistance.
Your toddler may stall, repeatedly call out, leave their bed, or suddenly need “one more” drink, cuddle or book. This is rarely about sleep itself and more often linked to growing independence and boundary testing.
At two years old, toddlers begin recognising they have choice and control. Bedtime can quickly become the moment they practise this.
Keeping routines predictable while maintaining calm, consistent boundaries is key.
Night Waking Returns After Previously Sleeping Well
Many parents feel confused when a toddler who previously slept through the night suddenly begins waking again.
At this age, night waking is often linked to emotional development, separation awareness, or increased imagination rather than hunger or sleep ability.
Toddlers may wake seeking reassurance, connection, or comfort during periods of developmental change.
Nap Refusal or Shortened Day Sleep
Around 24 months, sleep needs begin slowly decreasing.
Some toddlers start resisting naps entirely, while others take shorter naps that impact mood and behaviour later in the day.
This does not always mean your child is ready to drop their nap.
Most two year olds still benefit from one daytime sleep, and dropping it too early often leads to overtiredness, early rising and increased night waking.
If naps suddenly become inconsistent, reviewing the 2 to 1 nap transition and overall awake time balance can help determine whether small routine adjustments are needed.
Early Morning Waking
Early rising commonly appears during this stage, particularly if bedtime has shifted later due to resistance or nap timing has changed.
Overtiredness, light exposure, or developmental disruption can all contribute.
If your toddler is regularly waking before 5.30am to 6.00am, exploring causes of early morning rising can help identify whether routine timing, sleep pressure or environment may be playing a role.
Increased Fear or Separation Anxiety at Night
Around two years old, imagination expands rapidly. Fear of the dark, worries about being alone, or needing reassurance at sleep time often emerge during this stage.
This can look like sudden clinginess, repeated requests for parents, or distress when leaving the room.
Responding with reassurance while maintaining consistent sleep expectations helps toddlers feel safe without unintentionally reinforcing wakefulness.
If anxiety feels heightened, understanding separation anxiety and sleep can provide helpful strategies to support confidence at bedtime.
How long does the 24 month sleep regression last?
For most toddlers, the 24 month sleep regression lasts three to six weeks, though this can vary depending on temperament, development, and how consistently boundaries and routines are supported.
If sleep disruption continues beyond this period, it often reflects ongoing boundary testing, fear, or a need for routine adjustments rather than the regression itself.
How to support sleep during the 24 month regression
Maintain clear and consistent routines
Toddlers thrive on predictability. A consistent night routine helps signal that sleep is coming and reduces anxiety around separation and transitions.
Support independence without losing boundaries
Offering small choices, such as which pyjamas to wear or which book to read, can help meet your toddler’s need for autonomy without turning bedtime into a power struggle.
Address fears with reassurance
If fear of the dark or being alone is emerging, acknowledge your child’s feelings without reinforcing fear. Keeping the environment calm, predictable, and supportive can help ease anxiety.
If fears feel intense or are accompanied by night terrors or confusion, learning more about parasomnia can help you understand what’s happening and how to respond.
Review the sleep environment
At this age, sleep environment plays a big role. Ensuring your toddler’s room feels safe, calm, and familiar is key. A well set up toddler sleep environment can reduce anxiety and support more settled nights.
Expect boundary testing
Pushing limits is developmentally appropriate at this age. Clear, consistent responses help your toddler understand expectations, even when emotions run high.
Should you make changes during the 24 month sleep regression?
This stage is not about removing all support or forcing independence. It is about balancing reassurance with boundaries, and adjusting routines to suit your toddler’s growing emotional and cognitive needs.
Small, consistent changes tend to be far more effective than big overhauls during this phase.
Looking ahead
Sleep will continue to evolve as your toddler grows, with future challenges often linked to emotional development, fears, and boundary testing rather than sleep structure.
Having ongoing guidance can make these stages feel far less overwhelming. The Toddler Sleep Course provides long term support through toddler sleep challenges, fears, regressions, and big developmental changes. For families still supporting younger children, the 5–24 Month Infant Sleep Course offers guidance right through the second year.
How long does the 24 month sleep regression last?
For most toddlers, the 24 month sleep regression lasts around three to six weeks.
During this time, sleep disruption is usually linked to emotional development, growing independence, and changing sleep needs rather than a permanent sleep problem.
You may notice bedtime resistance, night waking, early rising, or nap refusal appearing suddenly. With consistent routines and clear boundaries, sleep typically settles again once this developmental phase passes.
If sleep challenges continue beyond six weeks, it can be helpful to review routines, boundaries, or overall sleep structure rather than assuming the regression is still ongoing.
Should I drop the nap at 2 years old?
In most cases, no.
The majority of two year olds still need a daytime nap to support emotional regulation and overnight sleep. Nap refusal during the 24 month regression is very common, but it rarely means your toddler is ready to drop sleep completely.
Dropping the nap too early often leads to overtiredness, which can show up as bedtime battles, night waking, or early morning rising.
Instead of removing the nap, focus on maintaining a predictable rest opportunity while protecting bedtime consistency. Many toddlers return to napping once the regression settles.
If you are unsure, reviewing a realistic 2+ year sleep routine can help determine whether adjustments are needed.
Why is my 2 year old suddenly fighting bed time?
Around two years old, toddlers experience a strong drive for independence and control. Bedtime can quickly become challenging because sleep represents separation and loss of autonomy.
Your toddler may suddenly begin:
• Delaying bedtime
• Asking for repeated drinks or books
• Getting out of bed
• Becoming upset when routines end
This behaviour is developmentally normal and reflects emotional growth rather than poor sleep habits.
Maintaining calm, predictable routines alongside clear and consistent boundaries helps reduce bedtime battles while still supporting connection.
You may also notice overlap with bedtime battles in toddlers, which often increase during this stage.
Can separation anxiety affect sleep at 2?
Yes. Separation anxiety commonly peaks again around two years of age.
As toddlers become more aware of relationships and absence, sleep times can feel harder because they involve separation from parents. This may show up as clinginess at bedtime, increased night waking, or needing more reassurance to settle.
This is a normal developmental phase.
Supporting connection before sleep, extending the wind down routine, and responding consistently overnight can help your toddler feel secure while maintaining healthy sleep boundaries.
If separation anxiety is significantly impacting sleep, understanding toddler separation anxiety and sleep can help guide how much support to offer without creating new sleep disruptions.
Need personalised support?
If sleep feels particularly challenging during this stage, many families benefit from tailored guidance rather than trying to troubleshoot alone.
Sleepy Little Bubs consultations provide personalised routines, settling strategies, and ongoing support based on your child’s temperament, development, and family dynamics.
Explore available baby and toddler sleep consultations to find the right level of support for your family.
Eva Beke
Certified Paediatric Sleep Consultant
Founder The Sleepy Little Bubs
I’m Eva Beke, a certified baby and toddler sleep consultant and founder of The Sleepy Little Bubs, supporting families across Australia and the world with evidence based baby and toddler sleep support.
My approach is realistic, supportive, and designed to evolve as your child grows, so you’re not just getting help for today, but confidence moving forward.
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