Ah, the classic 10-12 month sleep regression. If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking, “What on earth happened to my baby’s great sleep habits?” You might be seeing more wake-ups, more nap refusals, and maybe even some early mornings. But here’s the thing: it’s not as bad as it seems, and it’s actually not even really a regression in the way we typically think.
Of course sometimes this regression is a temporary set back and caused from teething, a milestone such as walking or some other change. But sometimes the real reason your baby isn’t sleeping might be a lot simpler: they haven’t yet mastered falling asleep on their own or maybe they need a simple tweak to their schedule.
Now, I’ve worked with a lot of families over the years, and I’ve noticed two big sleep times for sleep changes in most babies: the infamous 4-month sleep regression and the 10-12 month sleep regression. While the 4-month one happens for almost every baby, the 10-12 month one is a little more hit or miss. But if you’re in this phase right now, let’s talk about what’s going on and why it’s definitely not time to drop to one nap or to panic and revert back to old habits.
What’s Actually Happening During the 10-12 Month Sleep Regression?
Okay, first things first. I’m assuming your baby is already sleep trained and can fall asleep on their own at bedtime and naps (if not, you’ll probably want to get that sorted first, in which I can help with this).
Now, here’s the thing about this sleep regression: your baby suddenly starts refusing their second nap. And when I say “refusing,” I mean they are flat-out protesting—like crying, fussing, and giving you the stink eye because they just don’t want to sleep anymore. They might even refuse the nap they used to love, and you’re left wondering what happened to your little nap champion. Parents are sometimes in a moment of desperation and revert back to the newborn days by trying to help them sleep by rocking or nursing them down. Or they decide that their child may be ready for one nap. Let me the person to tell you - don't try any of these antics. There's something else going on if your baby was already sleeping great, and all the sudden changed their habits.
Why Is This Happening?
Here’s the deal: Babies around 10-12 months old are becoming more aware. They’re figuring out what they like, what they don’t like, and, more importantly, that they can protest things like sleep. They’re also realizing they’d rather be awake and hanging out with you than going down for another nap. After all, the morning nap gives them enough energy to resist that second one.
They’re starting to assert their preferences, and that includes showing you when they’re not in the mood for sleep. The fight against that second nap is real, but guess what? This is totally normal and completely developmentally appropriate.
OR it could be time to reassess your little one's schedule. Possibly they are getting too much time in their cribs and they just aren't tired yet. This is where my handy dandy Essential Sleep Schedules Guide can come in handy, and fix all your issues. If it's not a schedule issue, then keep on reading.
How to Handle This: And Why Dropping to One Nap is a Bad Idea
I know you probably just want a quick fix. Unfortunately, here’s the tough truth: there’s not much you can do to “fix” this in the short-term. It’s just a phase that they’ll eventually grow out of. The good news? You’re not doing anything wrong!
But you also can’t force them to nap if they’re just not into it. You can try moving their second nap time 30 minutes later, but if they’re not tired, they’re just not going to sleep. And that’s okay!
Here’s where things get a little counterintuitive: Even though it feels like they might be ready to drop down to one nap, they’re probably not. Babies around 10-12 months old still need two naps a day to stay well-rested and happy. If they fight that second nap, that’s fine—just let them be up for a bit longer and try again in a few days.
So, what should you do instead?
Stick to your routine. If they resist that second nap, put them down for about an hour. If they don’t sleep, don’t stress. Just get them up and move on with the day.
Avoid letting them nap too late in the day. If they get a little drowsy in the afternoon, try to keep them awake until bedtime—otherwise, you risk messing with their nighttime sleep.
Whatever you do, don’t move bedtime too early. It might be tempting to push bedtime earlier if they didn’t nap well, but moving bedtime by more than 30 minutes could lead to even earlier wake-ups the next morning.
The key here is to stay consistent. As hard as it is, sometimes you just need to give your baby some space to work through this phase. If your schedule looks good (be sure to check out my schedules for this age range in my guide which is an AMAZING resource and must have for all parents) then give it time. They’ll figure it out soon enough, and in a few weeks, you’ll be back to a solid two naps a day.
Wrapping Up
I know this phase can be frustrating, but hang in there! The 10-12 month sleep regression is a normal part of your baby’s development, and it’s not a sign that something’s gone wrong or that you need to rush into the one nap transition (or reverting back to old habits like rocking or nursing to sleep for that matter). It’s simply your baby learning how to assert their preferences and testing out their new independence.
Be patient, stay consistent, and give them the time they need to work through it. Before long, they’ll be back to their usual sleep schedule. And remember, you’re not alone—every baby goes through this phase in their own way, and it’s just one more milestone on the path to becoming a big kid.
Need more tips or help getting through the sleepless nights? Be sure to follow me on Instagram @the_sleepcoach.
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