14-Month Sleep Regression Causes and Solutions

Jessie Noynjjw

·April 16, 2025

·17 min read

Image Source: pexels

If your toddler begins struggling with sleep, it could be due to a 14-month sleep regression. Around this age, significant changes such as mastering new skills, teething discomfort, or separation anxiety can disrupt their sleep patterns. While these challenges can be tough to handle, rest assured they are temporary! With some patience and practical strategies, you can guide your little one back to better sleep. Keep in mind, every child experiences the 14-month sleep regression differently, so focus on what works best for your family.

Key Takeaways

Know that 14-month sleep regression happens due to growth, teething, or anxiety.
Keep a steady bedtime routine to make your toddler feel safe and sleepy.
Notice if your toddler needs fewer naps, and slowly change their schedule to prevent tiredness.
Make a peaceful sleep space with favorite items, soft lights, and calming sounds for better rest.
If sleep problems last weeks or cause big trouble, talk to a doctor for help.

Causes of 14-Month Sleep Regression

Developmental milestones and new skills

At 14 months, your toddler is learning exciting new things. They might start walking, climbing, or saying words. These skills are fun but can mess with sleep. Why? Their brain is very busy practicing these new abilities, making it harder to relax at night.

You may see your toddler skipping naps or waking up at night. They’re excited to try their new independence. This is normal! Big changes, like switching from two naps to one, often happen now and can cause short-term sleep problems.

Tip: Let your toddler play actively during the day. This helps them use energy and makes bedtime easier.

Teething and physical discomfort

Teething is another reason for 14-month sleep regression. At this age, molars might be coming in, which can hurt and wake your toddler. You might see drooling, chewing on things, or crankiness during the day. These signs show why falling or staying asleep is harder.

Teething pain often causes your toddler to wake up more at night. It’s hard to see them uncomfortable, but you can help. A cold teething ring or doctor-approved pain medicine can ease their pain.

Note: If teething is causing big sleep problems, talk to your pediatrician for advice.

Separation anxiety and emotional changes

At 14 to 15 months, separation anxiety is common. Your toddler notices when you’re there—and when you’re not. This can make bedtime tough because they don’t want to be alone in their crib. They might cling to you more and struggle to nap.

Separation anxiety is often part of toddler sleep regression. Your child may need extra comfort to feel safe, especially if they wake up at night. Keeping a steady bedtime routine and giving extra cuddles can help calm their worries.

Reassurance: This phase won’t last forever. With time and consistency, your toddler will feel safe even when you’re not in the room.

Nap schedule changes

At 14 months, your toddler might need fewer naps. Many kids start going from two naps to one around this age. This change can mess up their sleep, causing skipped naps or waking at night. If your toddler seems restless or has trouble sleeping, they might be ready for one nap.

Here’s why this happens: their brain is growing and needs longer awake times. They’re also learning big things like walking and talking, which use more energy. Separation anxiety can make this nap change harder too.

Signs your toddler may need fewer naps:
- They fight their second nap or take it very late.
- They wake up earlier or seem too tired at bedtime.
- Their naps are shorter or not as refreshing.

Tip: Slowly adjust their naps by making awake times longer. Add 15 minutes to their awake time to help them adjust. Small changes work best to avoid overwhelming them.

If naps are still tricky, keep their bedtime routine steady. A regular routine tells their brain it’s time to relax, even with nap changes.

Changes in surroundings

Sometimes, sleep problems aren’t about naps or milestones—they’re about changes around them. Big or small changes in their environment can upset their sleep. Things like moving, travel, or starting daycare can make them feel uneasy. Even little things, like a noisy neighbor or a new crib, can affect their rest.

Toddlers like routines and familiar things. When their surroundings change, they might feel nervous or too excited, leading to trouble sleeping.

Common changes that disturb sleep:
- Sleeping in a new room or crib.
- Noise or light bothering them during sleep.
- Travel or jet lag messing up their schedule.
- Getting over being sick, which changed their sleep habits.

Note: Help your toddler adjust to changes by making their sleep space calm. Use blackout curtains to block light, white noise to cover sounds, and familiar items like a favorite blanket or toy. These small fixes can help a lot.

Stick to their usual bedtime routine, even if things around them are different. This helps them feel safe and know it’s time to sleep.

Signs of 14-Month Sleep Regression

Waking up often at night

Does your toddler wake up many times at night? Waking up a lot is a common sign of a 14-month sleep regression. At this age, changes like teething, new skills, or missing you can make staying asleep hard. These wake-ups can leave both you and your toddler very tired.

To help, keep a steady bedtime routine. Do calming things like reading a story or singing softly. This shows your toddler it’s time to relax. If they wake up, keep it quiet and soothing to avoid waking them up more.

Tip: If night wakings last for weeks, track their sleep. This can help you find patterns and adjust your approach.

Trouble falling asleep alone

Another sign of sleep regression is needing help to fall asleep. Your toddler might want extra hugs, rocking, or for you to stay close. This could be because they feel anxious when you’re not there or are testing limits.

Teaching your toddler to sleep on their own is important. Slowly reduce how much you help at bedtime. For example, sit near their crib instead of holding them. Over time, move farther away. This helps them learn to calm themselves while feeling safe.

Callout: Don’t start new habits like letting them sleep in your bed. These can be hard to stop later.

Shorter or skipped naps

Is your toddler skipping naps or taking shorter ones? This is another sign of a 14-month sleep regression. Nap changes often happen as kids go from two naps to one. This can make them overtired, cranky, and harder to settle at night.

Watch for signs they need fewer naps. If they fight their second nap or seem wide awake, it might be time to change their schedule. Slowly make their awake times longer by 15 minutes to help them adjust.

Sign	What It Means
Waking Often at Night	Waking up many times during the night.
Skipping Naps	Fighting or skipping nap times completely.
Crankiness	Feeling grumpy and tired from not enough sleep.
Eating Changes	Eating more or less due to growth or mood.
Clinginess	Wanting to stay close, especially at bedtime.
Bad Dreams	Waking up scared from nightmares or night terrors.
Harder to Settle	Taking longer to calm down and fall asleep.
Early Morning Wake-Ups	Waking up too early, linked to sleep regression.

Note: Keep nap and bedtime routines the same. Familiar routines help your toddler feel safe and ready to sleep during this tricky time.

More Clinginess and Mood Changes

Is your toddler sticking to you more than usual? Being extra clingy and having mood swings are normal during a 14-month sleep regression. At this age, your child is going through emotional changes. They may feel more attached to you and cry when you leave. They might also want more hugs before bedtime.

Mood swings often come with this clinginess. One minute, they’re laughing, and the next, they’re upset. These mood changes can make bedtime harder. Your toddler might not want to sleep because they feel uneasy or want to stay close to you.

Tip: Spend extra time with your toddler during the day. This shows them you’re there and can help them feel calmer at night.

To handle clinginess, keep bedtime routines steady. Do familiar things like reading a story or singing a song. If they wake up at night, stay calm but avoid starting new habits, like rocking them to sleep, that could be hard to stop later.

Fighting Bedtime Routines

Does your toddler suddenly fight bedtime? This is another sign of a 14-month sleep regression. They might cry or refuse to settle down during their usual routine. This happens because they’re growing and learning new things. They may test limits or feel too excited to sleep.

Separation anxiety can also make bedtime harder. Your toddler might need to know you’re nearby, which can disrupt their routine. Changes in naps, like going from two naps to one, can also affect bedtime.

Signs of bedtime struggles include:

Crying when it’s time for bed.
Refusing to lie down in their crib.
Asking for more stories or songs.

Note: Stick to your routine, even if they resist. A steady routine helps them understand it’s time to sleep.

To make bedtime easier, create a calm space. Keep the room dim, use white noise, and make sure it’s cool and comfy. Avoid exciting activities like screen time or rough play before bed. These steps can help your toddler relax and fall asleep better.

Sleep Training Tips for 14-Month Sleep Regression

Keep a steady bedtime routine

Having the same bedtime routine every night helps with a 14-month sleep regression. Toddlers like knowing what to expect, and routines tell their brain it’s time to relax. This can make going to bed easier and reduce struggles.

Create a simple, calming routine you do nightly. For example:

Give them a warm bath to help them relax.
Read a short book or sing a soft song.
Turn down the lights and cuddle for a bit.

Keep the routine short—20 to 30 minutes is enough. Avoid things like screen time or rough play before bed. These can make it harder for your toddler to calm down.

Tip: Do the same steps in the same order every night. This makes your toddler feel safe and helps them know it’s time to sleep.

If your toddler fights bedtime, stay calm and stick to the routine. Gently guide them through each step without giving in to delays. Over time, they’ll connect these activities with sleep, making bedtime smoother.

Change wake times and nap schedules

During a 14-month sleep regression, your toddler’s sleep needs may shift. They might be ready to go from two naps to one, or their awake times between sleeps might need adjusting. Finding the right balance can stop them from getting overtired, which often leads to more night waking.

Here’s how to adjust their schedule:

Look for signs: If they fight their second nap or take it too late, they might need just one nap.
Make small changes: Add 15 minutes to their awake time to help them adjust slowly.

Age Range	Typical Wake Time	Number of Naps
13-15 months	3-4 hours	1-2 naps

Every toddler is different. Some still need two naps, while others are ready for one. Watch for signs like rubbing their eyes or being cranky to figure out what works best.

Note: If they skip a nap, put them to bed earlier to avoid overtiredness. A well-rested toddler sleeps better at night.

Help them learn to self-soothe

Teaching your toddler to calm themselves is very helpful during a 14-month sleep regression. Self-soothing lets them fall asleep on their own and go back to sleep if they wake up at night.

Give them chances to practice. For example, if they cry at night, wait a little before going to them. This lets them try to settle themselves. You can also give them a comfort item, like a soft toy or blanket, to help them feel safe.

There are different ways to teach self-soothing:

Method	What It Means
Gentle methods	Slow steps that keep your toddler calm.
Chair method	Sit near their crib and move farther away each night.
Ferber method	Let them cry for short times before comforting them.
Gradual extinction	Let them self-soothe but check on them sometimes.
Cry it out	Let them cry until they fall asleep without going to them.

Pick a method that feels right for your family. Some parents like gentle ways, while others prefer structured methods like the Ferber method.

Studies show self-soothing helps both toddlers and parents. A 2018 study found that toddlers who sleep better are calmer and adjust more easily. Sleep training also lowers stress for parents, helping the whole family.

Reassurance: It’s okay if this takes time. Be patient and keep trying. Your toddler will learn to self-soothe, and sleep will get easier for everyone.

Avoid adding new sleep habits

When your toddler faces a 14-month sleep regression, you might try anything to help them sleep. But adding new habits, like rocking them every night or letting them sleep in your bed, can cause problems later. These quick fixes may seem helpful now but can make it harder for your toddler to sleep alone in the future.

Why skipping new habits matters:

Sleep regressions are short, but habits formed now can last longer.
Extra rocking or co-sleeping can stretch out the regression instead of fixing it.
Keeping routines steady helps your toddler learn to calm themselves and adapt.

Stick to your usual bedtime routine instead of starting new habits. Use proven methods to help your toddler sleep better. For example, if they wake up crying, comfort them briefly without picking them up. This shows you care without creating a new habit.

Tip: If you’ve already started a new habit, don’t worry! You can slowly stop it. For instance, if you’ve been rocking them to sleep, rock them for less time each night until they fall asleep on their own.

By staying steady and avoiding quick fixes, you’ll help your toddler get through this sleep regression more easily.

Make their sleep space relaxing

A peaceful sleep space can really help during a 14-month sleep regression. At this age, toddlers notice their surroundings more, so a calm room can make them feel safe and ready to sleep.

Start by making their room cozy. Keep it cool, use curtains to block light, and add white noise to cover sounds. Familiar items, like a favorite blanket or stuffed toy, can also help them feel comfortable.

Studies show a relaxing sleep space is important:

Research Focus	What It Shows
Sleep Environment Education	Teaching parents about sleep spaces improves toddler sleep habits.
Self-Soothing Skills	Helping toddlers learn to sleep alone creates a calmer sleep environment.

You can make the space even better by sticking to bedtime routines. A steady routine tells your toddler it’s time to relax. Do calming activities like a warm bath, reading a quiet story, or playing soft music. Avoid exciting things like screens or rough play before bed.

Note: If your toddler feels anxious about being alone, try using a nightlight or leaving the door open a little. These small changes can help them feel safer without disturbing their sleep.

Creating a calm sleep space not only helps during sleep regressions but also builds good sleep habits for the future.

When to Ask a Doctor About Sleep Problems

Sometimes, sleep troubles can feel too much to handle. Most sleep regressions go away on their own, but some need a doctor’s help. Knowing when to ask for advice can help your toddler feel better.

Ongoing sleep problems lasting weeks

If your toddler’s sleep issues last more than a few weeks, talk to a doctor. Long-lasting sleep problems can affect their mood and growth. You might see them cranky, distracted, or acting differently with others. These could be signs of a deeper sleep problem.

Try keeping a sleep journal to track their habits. Write down when they sleep, wake up, and nap for at least a week. This can help the doctor figure out what’s wrong. They might check for health problems like breathing issues, ear infections, or other illnesses that disturb sleep.

Tip: Don’t wait too long if you’re worried. Getting help early can stop small problems from growing bigger.

Pain or discomfort causing sleep trouble

Pain can make it hard for toddlers to sleep. If they cry a lot at night or seem extra fussy, they might be hurting. Teething is common, but earaches or tummy troubles could also be the cause.

Watch for signs like grimacing, nonstop crying, or odd movements. These may show your toddler is in pain. Doctors have tools to check for pain in little kids, so share what you’ve noticed. Fixing what’s causing the pain can help them sleep better and feel happier.

Worries about growth or health

Sometimes, sleep problems hint at bigger health concerns. If your toddler isn’t hitting milestones, seems very tired, or shows other unusual signs, ask a doctor. Sleep issues can sometimes connect to sensory or brain-related challenges.

The doctor will check their health, growth, and development. They might suggest tests or send you to a specialist if needed.

Reassurance: Most sleep regressions, like the 14-month one, don’t last long. But if something feels wrong, trust your gut and get help.

By paying attention and asking for help when needed, you can handle tough sleep problems with confidence.

Handling a 14-month sleep regression can be tough. Knowing the reasons, like new skills or nap changes, helps. Spotting signs, like waking up often or fighting bedtime, lets you act quickly. Sticking to a calming bedtime routine and staying consistent can really help.

This phase won’t last forever. Stay patient and flexible to get through it. If sleep problems continue or you worry about your toddler’s health, talk to a pediatrician. You can do this!

FAQ

What is the 14-month sleep regression?

The 14-month sleep regression is a temporary phase where your toddler struggles with sleep. It happens due to developmental milestones, teething, or emotional changes. You might notice frequent night wakings, skipped naps, or bedtime resistance.

Tip: Stay consistent with routines to help your toddler adjust.

How long does the 14-month sleep regression last?

This phase usually lasts 2 to 6 weeks. Every child is different, so it might vary. Staying patient and sticking to a steady routine can help shorten this period.

Reassurance: It’s temporary! Your toddler will return to better sleep soon.

Should I stop sleep training during a regression?

No, you don’t need to stop. Stick to your sleep training methods, but be flexible. Offer comfort when needed without creating new habits. This consistency helps your toddler learn to self-soothe even during tough phases.

Can teething make sleep regression worse?

Yes, teething can add to sleep troubles. Pain from molars coming in can wake your toddler or make it harder for them to settle.

Tip: Use a cold teething ring or doctor-approved pain relief to ease discomfort.

When should I worry about my toddler’s sleep?

If sleep problems last more than 6 weeks or your toddler shows signs of pain, developmental delays, or unusual behavior, talk to your pediatrician. They can rule out health issues and offer guidance.

Note: Trust your instincts. If something feels off, seek help.