The 12 Month Sleep Regression

Wohoo! Your child has turned 1 year old, or may soon be 1 year old. Finally there was some peace and quiet and your child started to sleep nice and long (through the night) and suddenly nothing works again. Hello 12 months sleep regression!

Suddenly your child has decided that 3am is a SUPER time to be awake and play in bed or refuses to sleep again and wakes up more often. A second nap during the day is suddenly also very difficult or naptime in general is again a big challenge.

Well… it’s that time again, welcome to the 12 month sleep regression. You must have wondered if there will ever be an end to these “well-known” sleep regressions. Fortunately, there are “only” a couple more after the 12-month sleep regression.

• 4 months

• 7-9 months

• 18 months

• 24 months

• 3 years

  
  

How do you recognize that your child is in the 1 year sleep regression?

• More often fussy

• Waking up more frequently and difficulties getting back to sleep

• Change in eating behavior

• Shorter naps or nap refusal

• Severe separation anxiety

Development

A lot happens around the 12 months. Maybe your child is starting to practise walking or has already started. In addition, many children also teethe around this time.

At 12 months, your child is developing physically and mentally. Most children start learning the following things around 12 months:

• First words – often “mom” “dad”

• Standing

• First steps

Age	What most children can do:	What some children can do:	What few children can do:
11 months	– Say “mom” “dad”. – Play “Peekaboo – Stand alone for a few seconds – Walk along the couch/table	– Understanding “no” and simple questions – Take objects and put them somewhere	– Say more words – Bending down from a standing position
12 months	– Imitates what others do – Trying to show what it wants	– Try to take a few steps – Can say 3 words	– Running – Painting with chalk – Says more than 3 words