This is a YouTube video titled "18 Month Sleep Regression" created in November 2021. It features Cara Dumaplin discussing the developmental phase known as the 18 month sleep regression, explaining how toddlers learn cause and effect and how this impacts their sleep behavior. Cara provides insights and encouragement to parents about managing this challenging but important stage in child development.
Okay. If your little one is over 12 months, you want to watch today's stories? Okay, here's the truth. No matter how old your baby is, you want to watch today's stories. This is one of my most favorite things to talk about. The 18 month sleep regression. I know. You're like Carol. Wait, you like to talk about that? Yes. Because do you know what a sleep regression means? It means a developmental progression. That means our babies are learning something so exciting. So what is it at 18 months? And it can really be 14, 16, 18 months that they learn? What are they learning? They are learning life's most important lesson. My thoughts, my actions influence others. Isn't that exciting? You're like, no, Kara, bedtime and nap time is a wreck. It's not exciting. Okay? I know it can be hard, but watch this. Anna. Anna, say it again. Wasn't that so good? You could almost see Beckett's little brain learning. Cause and effect. He says. I say, anna. The entire room giggles. What I do impacts others. It made the whole room laugh. Now that 18 month old little brain is taking it all in, and they're applying it to other situations. For example, when I want mommy's phone and she says, no. Oh, I threw a big fit. She gave me her phone. Oh, I get it. I want her phone. She says, no, I throw a big fit. I get the phone. This is great. I'll just throw a fit anytime I want it. That is what they're learning. Cause and effect. I. What I do influences others. Now let's talk about how that impacts sleep. Often around this age, little ones learn that nap time and. And bedtime is optional. How do they learn that? Well, the second you set him in the crib, he goes, oh, I don't want to be in the crib. So one time he cried. And guess what? You did. You were like, well, he never cries. I'm going to pick him up. I'll take him out. He learned. Oh, this nap thing is optional. Okay? The second she puts me in that crib, I'm going to scream. That gets me out of the crib. Okay? And at bedtime, if I throw a big fit and protest bedtime, daddy will lay on the floor next to me. This is genius. Okay, that's what I'll do. I'll just tell him I don't really want to take a nap or bedtime and I don't have to because I've learned what I do impacts others. My thoughts, my actions, my opinions influence others. Now, parents, your baby isn't being naughty. Your little one isn't manipulative. He or she has just learned cause and effect. And that's a good thing. That's a really good thing. But here's the truth. You know what is best for your baby and what is best in this situation? Sleep. So we have to hold firm to that boundary. Yes, I hear you. Yes, I acknowledge what you think. But I'm gonna hold firm. Because I know sleep is the very best thing for you. Okay, I wanna leave you with this. If you are in that 18 month regression time period, I know it's hard, I know it's a struggle. But I don't want you to miss the amazing development that your little one is experiencing. He or she is learning. What I do influences other my thoughts, my opinions matter. That is life changing. That is the little boy. That is the little girl that you want to send out into the world. One that says the way I think, what my opinions, they matter in this world. And I can influence others. Yes, you can, sweet baby. You are going to be a world changer. So don't miss that. I know it's hard, but don't miss that important part of this. I know that strong will can like try your every last nerve. But that strong will is going to change the world.
