Methods at 20 Months
Ferber and CIO remain the go-to methods. At this age, behavioral strategies become important supplements: visual bedtime routine charts, sleep rules posted on the wall, and consistent "it's sleep time" phrases. These cognitive tools work because your toddler's understanding of rules and sequences is rapidly developing.
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
Twenty-month-olds are deeply aware that life continues after they go to bed. They may resist sleep simply because they don't want to miss anything. Combat this by making the house quiet and boring after bedtime routine starts. Turn off TVs, lower voices, dim lights in common areas. The message: nothing exciting is happening out here.
Crib to Bed Transition
- If your toddler is climbing out of the crib, transition to a toddler bed or floor mattress for safety.
- In a bed, you lose the physical containment of the crib. Use a baby gate at the bedroom door.
- Expect 3-7 nights of getting-out-of-bed behavior. Calmly return your toddler to bed each time without conversation.
- If your toddler is NOT climbing out, keep the crib. There's no reason to rush the transition.
The crib is your friend. Don't switch to a bed based on age alone. Many toddlers stay happily in a crib until age 2.5-3. Only switch if climbing creates a safety risk.
Track Your Baby's Sleep
NapNap Baby helps you log sleep, predict nap times, and build healthy routines — all in one app.
Get the app free →Free to try · No account needed · Works offline