My eyes filled with tears when my 2.8-year-old said this while I was trying to make him sleep. I asked him to close his eyes again and tell me if he could see me now, and he just laughed.

This is the age when sleep regression is at its peak, around 2 to 3 years. They grow so fast, start expressing themselves clearly, explore everything, and their imagination goes far beyond ours. I’ve been facing this for the past few weeks, and honestly, nothing seems to work.

Still, I’m trying a few things to make it easier and not make it worse. I’ll share them here, in case you’re going through the same phase. Maybe they’ll help you too.

Babies can go through sleep regression as early as 3 months, and it may come and go in phases until around 3 years of age (and sometimes even later).

This usually happens:

• Around 3–4 months when babies become more alert and awake
• Around 6 months when they start moving and sitting
• Between 8–10 months due to separation anxiety and crawling
• Around 12 months when they start walking and feel overstimulated
• Around 18 months when naps reduce
• Between 2–3 years when they want more independence, molars come in, and they need more physical activity

Wondering how to tell if it’s really a sleep regression? Don’t worry, there are usually some clear signs:

• Your baby may take much longer to fall asleep than before (mine took up to 1 hour).
• Nap durations may reduce. Earlier, mine slept for 1.5–2 hours, but on some days it dropped to less than 1 hour.
• Your baby may seem more irritated and fussy, mainly because their sleep routine has changed.
• Eating habits can also be affected. They may become more picky with food but this usually improves and goes back to normal with time.

So far, the 2–3 year sleep regression has been the hardest for me. At this age, toddlers can talk, but instead of explaining what they need, they often cry, give orders around the house, and act like they’re never tired, so in their mind, it’s never bedtime.

To manage this, I’ve tried a few things. Some days they worked, and some days were just about surviving. I’m sharing what helped me in the hope that it helps you too. And if you have any tips that worked for you, please share them in the comments—so moms like me can learn from each other and feel a little less alone.

1. Stay patient
When your child doesn’t listen, it’s natural to feel angry. You may be trying very hard to stay calm—and that’s okay. Still, try to pause. Shouting or screaming will only make things worse, not better. Make sure your child is in a safe place or with someone you trust. Take a few deep breaths and then come back to your baby. They are still growing and cannot understand our expectations yet. Expecting them to behave like adults is unfair to them.

2. Follow a routine
Try not to change your child’s daily schedule too much. Sleep time, meals, naps, and playtime should stay as regular as possible. Even small changes can make babies fussy and irritated. Their brains are still developing, so sudden changes can confuse them and lead to more tantrums.

3. Check their comfort
Always check if your baby is uncomfortable. They may be unwell, tired, gassy, or need a diaper change.

4. Check for hunger
Babies have small stomachs and are very active. Hunger can quickly make them cranky, so make sure they are well fed.

5. Physical Activities
Make sure they get enough physical activity during the day so they feel naturally tired for naps and night sleep. Taking them outdoors to play and encouraging activities like cycling or swimming regularly can really help.

6. Check for overtiredness
When I say babies should get tired, I don’t mean too tired. Watch for early signs like yawning, becoming calm, or slowing down. Don’t ignore these signs, if you do, the baby can become overtired, and once that happens, it becomes much harder to help them fall asleep.

7. Let them be independent
After age 2, some children want a little more independence. Instead of falling asleep in your arms, they may prefer lying next to you and drifting off on their own. Try giving them that space and see if it helps. Keep in mind, this may not work on days when they aren’t tired enough.

8. Don’t lose hope

It truly gets better with time. As you learn to understand your child’s needs and growth stages, things become clearer. Knowing the reason behind their behavior will help you stay calmer

Every day, while dealing with tantrums, I remind myself that it’s not intentional. It’s just a phase the child is completely unaware of, but we understand it. So let’s guide them through this phase with patience and calm.

Happy Parenting 💛