What Is 24 Months Sleep Regression?

The 24 months sleep regression phenomenon occurs with children when they reach two years of age and is marked by a sudden unwillingness by the child to go to bed at bedtime and consistently waking up during sleep periods.
This period is often marked by changes in a child’s behaviour. Whilst previously they might have gone to bed without a problem, they now want their parents in the room while they fall asleep or, where the child does go to sleep, they wake up several times at night and insist on having parents with them until they fall asleep once more.
Several factors have been identified as contributing to this including waking at inappropriate times, separation anxiety, significant life changes, missing naps and being subject to night-time fears. This regression typically lasts between 2 to 3 weeks but if it lasts longer than 6 weeks parents should seek expert help.