The 24 Month Sleep Regression
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 twenty four 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.
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.
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.
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.
Eva Beke
Certified Paediatric Sleep Consultant
Founder The Sleepy Little Bubs
I’m a certified paediatric sleep consultant and the founder of The Sleepy Little Bubs. I support families through baby and toddler sleep with practical, evidence-based guidance that considers the whole picture - sleep, development, routines, feeding, and family dynamics.
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.
The Smarter Way to Invest in Better Sleep
Supporting sleep doesn’t have to mean starting over every time something changes.
Our sleep courses are built to support you long term, with age specific guidance that adapts as your child grows. From early routines and regressions to nap transitions and toddler sleep challenges, you’ll have a clear plan and ongoing support so you can respond with confidence at every stage.
Infant
5-24 Months
Toddler
2-4 Years
PRODUCTS
INFORMATION
SUPPORT
LEGAL
© Copyright The Sleepy Little Bubs All Rights Reserved.