Surviving the Two-Year Sleep Regression

Surviving the Two-Year Sleep Regression

Author: Sally Woods and Bec Maher July 8, 2025 Duration: 32:02

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The two-year sleep regression is brutal — but dropping the nap isn’t the fix. In this episode, Sally and Bec break down exactly why this tricky stage happens, how to hold your nerve when your toddler goes on nap strike, and the “milk run” rescue plan for when it all feels impossible.

They share real stories, nap training tips, and the mindset shift that will help you stay unflappable when your toddler tries to call the shots.


What You’ll Learn

• Why the two-year sleep regression happens and who it hits hardest
• Why dropping the nap too soon almost always backfires
• How to use “cot time” to keep the nap in play
• The milk run rescue plan (and exactly how to time it)
• How to reset boundaries when your toddler starts testing them


🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPED
Nap Trapped brings together sleep consultants Sally Woods (⁠⁠The Sleep Concierge⁠⁠) and Bec Maher (⁠⁠The Sleep Centre⁠⁠) to transform baby sleep challenges into practical solutions. Whether you’re currently trapped under a napping baby or seeking better sleep, each episode combines evidence-based advice with real parenting experience. No judgement, just expert insights with a side of solidarity.
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📸 Follow Sally & Bec on socials at:
https://www.tiktok.com/@thesleepconcierge
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/


Chapters

00:00 Welcome + intro01:15 Why the two-year sleep regression is real04:20 How to hold the nap steady07:30 Using cot time + rescue naps12:00 The milk run nap explained16:00 Real-life stories: holding your nerve20:00 Resetting boundaries with toddlers25:00 Final thoughts + staying unflappable


Ever found yourself stuck on the couch, scrolling in the quiet, while your little one finally sleeps? You're not alone, and that's exactly where Nap Trapped finds its groove. Hosted by Australian sleep consultants Sally Woods of The Sleep Concierge and Bec Maher from The Sleep Centre, this podcast meets you in that exhausted, sometimes isolating space. It’s a direct conversation between two experts who are also mums, blending solid, evidence-based strategies with the real-world chaos of family life. They break down the 'why' behind restless nights and short naps, moving beyond rigid rules to offer adaptable, practical solutions that actually fit your day. The tone is all solidarity and zero judgment, recognising that every family's sleep journey is different. You'll hear honest stories, debunk common myths, and get actionable advice that aims to bring more rest to your household, not just your baby. Tune into Nap Trapped for a genuinely helpful mix of professional insight and relatable commiseration, all delivered with a warm, Aussie sensibility. It's the kind of podcast you listen to while you're, well, nap trapped, and finish feeling equipped and understood.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 82

Nap Trapped
Podcast Episodes
Is This Normal? A Real 9-Month Sleep Case Study with a Nanny [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:54
Sally's all-access sleep platform Snooze is LIVE! Sign up before December 31 and get the REST OF 2025 FREE A nanny reached out with a question we hear all the time: is it normal to keep waking my baby from that first nap…
Starting Solids Without Fear: A Paramedic Mum's Practical Guide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:05
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comYou've finally got your baby sleeping through the night, and now you're about to start solids. But suddenly you're lying awake at 3am G…
Advice We'd Give You If We Weren't Afraid of Hurting Your Feelings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:53
Look, we're people pleasers. Terrified of hurting feelings. But sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is rip the bandaid off and tell you what's actually getting in the way of better sleep. So today, we're following…
Sleep Detectives: Swaddles, Ferber & Dummy Debates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:09
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comYou know that moment when you've tried everything and you're left thinking: am I doing this wrong? This week's Sleep Detectives is for…
18 Month Sleep Regression: Boundary Testing & How to Handle It [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:27
Your toddler's been a great sleeper for months. Then one night they start demanding more books, more cuddles, more everything. You're trapped in the room for two hours wondering what happened to your independent sleeper.…
Sleep Detectives: 3-Year Olds, Early Wakes & Nap Transitions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:40
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comYou've been sending questions and Sally and Bec are answering them all. This week's Sleep Detectives covers everything from sleep train…
Should You Cap the Morning Nap? Short/Long Naps Explained [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:33
Subscribers get a full breakdown of the schedules from this ep 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comWondering if you should cap that glorious morning nap? Sally and Bec break down the short/long nap schedule for 9-12 month olds, w…
7.5 Month Old Case Study: Drop the Dream Feed & Sleep Through [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:01
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comThat dream feed was supposed to help your baby sleep longer, but at 7.5 months it's holding you back from real progress. Sally and Bec…