18 Month Sleep Regression: Boundary Testing & How to Handle It

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Nap Trapped

Sally Woods and Bec Maher

58 episodes

4 days ago

Nap Trapped, hosted by expert sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), transforms baby sleep challenges into practical solutions. Whether you're currently trapped under a napping baby or seeking better sleep, each episode combines evidence-based advice with real parenting experience. No judgment, just expert insights with a side of solidarity - because understanding the 'why' behind sleep behaviors is the key to confident parenting. We're here to help sleep make sense from nap transitions to early rising.

Parenting

Kids & Family

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All content for Nap Trapped is the property of Sally Woods and Bec Maher and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Parenting

Kids & Family

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18 Month Sleep Regression: Boundary Testing & How to Handle It

Nap Trapped

35 minutes 27 seconds

1 week ago

18 Month Sleep Regression: Boundary Testing & How to Handle It

Your toddler's been a great sleeper for months. Then one night they start demanding more books, more cuddles, more everything. You're trapped in the room for two hours wondering what happened to your independent sleeper. This is the 18 month sleep regression, and it's less about sleep and more about boundaries.

Sally and Bec break down why this regression happens right when toddlers learn to use words to influence their world. They explain why giving in to one more book turns into 17 books by night three, how to hold clear limits without negotiations, and why it can still take two hours even when you're doing everything right. Plus the strategies that work throughout the day to fill their cup so you can hold firm at bedtime.

What You'll Learn:

• Why the 18 month regression is about boundary testing, not self-settling

• How language development triggers bedtime battles

• The exact bedtime routine strategy: verbal cues for last book, last cuddle, last kiss

• Why bore-to-reassure works better than negotiations

• Realistic timeline: 2-6 weeks regardless of your approach

• What happens when you try to max them out with long wake windows (spoiler: it backfires)

• Micro-moments of connection and choice throughout the day

• How to avoid creating new sleep associations while navigating the regression

Chapters:

00:00 Intro and scheduling queen banter

04:22 What is the 18 month sleep regression

08:19 Setting clear verbal boundaries at bedtime

11:47 Realistic expectations: how long it actually takes

15:44 Why connection matters but boundaries hold

21:01 This isn't sleep training, it's limit setting

26:41 What NOT to do: extending wake windows

30:21 Filling their cup throughout the day

34:00 Wrap up and encouragement

🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPED

Sally Woods and Bec Maher are baby sleep consultants who believe exhausted parents deserve real answers, not judgment. Each episode of Nap Trapped breaks down one sleep challenge with evidence-based advice and a healthy dose of humor.

Links

📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com

📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/

https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

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