Is this the 18 month sleep regression??

[Sam-n-Max's Mommy]

Hi everyone,

Could this be the 18 month sleep regression?  DS is 17.5 months and for the past few weeks he has been having NWs (that I don't believe are teething related).  For most of them he has resettled himself without intervention (please don't let me be jinxing myself).  Naps were good, but then for the past week they were 45 min to an hour (he is on one) and now today he has been in his crib babbling, squealing, kicking the headboard and is now starting to fuss.  This has been going on for about an hour now.  He always goes down very easily for his nap, even when he takes a short one. 

I have another thread going about a language delay (he has no words), but it seems like he has been making leaps and bounds in the past few days.  While there are still no words, he has become much more verbal all of a sudden.  (His babbling has always been very short - never long strings of it, but today at least he won't stop which is awesome).  Could this be contributing?

It is quiet now so he may have fallen asleep. I have no idea because he turned the video camera away in all of his hijinks so I can't see him!!

Regression or developmental? Or are regressions due to developmental factors? Either way - how do I handle? Early BTs until it passes + WI/WO if he doesn't settle himself?

Thanks ladies!!!

xxxx

[sianie]

Hi there....

Sleep can go a little wonky at around 18mths for a lot of LO's & it's usually a combination of changing sleep needs/ teething & developmental leaps.

My DS went through some bit developmental leaps at around 18/19mths which affected his sleep but usually this is a phase that passes pretty quickly. The key is to try to stay as consistent as possible. Also, don't totally discount teething as again around this age canines start coming through which can cause sleep issues.

Do you want to post his current routine? 

[Sam-n-Max's Mommy]

Thanks, Sian! His canines are through (the top two are not totally in place yet, but they are almost there).  I do think there is a chance that his 2nd year molars are on the move, but not totally sure.  He is pretty pleasant during the day (which was NOT the case with the canines), but is drooling tons and his hand is constantly in his mouth.  He seems to be putting it up front and not all the way back though so I'm not totally sure.  Anyway here it is!

6am WU -- although this past weekend, he slept until 7 both days (!!!!) and then a few days this week he was up at 5:30, so it's been a little all over the place
12:30-2 nap - that is what it usually is with the exception of this week when it was shorter.  Sometimes (like over the weekend/late last week) it is a little longer.
7/7:30 - goal to be asleep...its's usually a 7 pm BT if he's had less than 1.5 hr nap or has had a string of EWs/NWs that have interfered with a good night's sleep and needs to catch up (which has been lately)

Do you think he may need a routine adjustment? We've been on this one for a very long time now..since 12 mos..although I only moved to a sometimes 7:30 BT probably over the past 3-4 months.

Thanks!

[Sam-n-Max's Mommy]

Two more things -- he has been waking up from his naps crying (takes awhile to calm him), same with WU. I've thought it was him being OT, but not sure.  Also, he did 1hr and 10 min today asleep by 110, up by 220.  7pm BT tonight? Thanks!!

[sianie]

I've thought it was him being OT, but not sure.

It does sound like OT behaviour. I would definitely try earlier BT's to curb the OT as much as possible.

Any other developmental factors going on?

[Sam-n-Max's Mommy]

Thanks.  I think there is a lot of development communication-wise -- not just language, but he is starting to learn his body parts and indicate them, has really been pushing/pulling me where he wants me to go, etc.  I'll keep up with the early BTs and hopefully this will help. Thanks!

[sianie]

If it's developmental then it's a phase that should pass pretty quickly. DS has just gone through something similar with his speech which made his sleep wonky for a week or so & then things went back to normal.

Keep me posted!