Are sleepless nights with your toddler causing you to dread bedtime? Are you tired of waking up to grumpy mornings? It's time to take control!
This guide equips you with powerful strategies to transform your little one's restless nights into peaceful stretches of blissful slumber. Say goodbye to the frustration and exhaustion caused by bedtime battles fight sleep yourself.
How much sleep does a toddler need?
The toddler years can be challenging for parents due to sleep struggles. However, knowing how much sleep your child needs is essential to ensure a peaceful bedtime routine and avoid midnight meltdowns. If your toddler won't sleep, check this! : toddler won't sleep
Between the ages of 1 and 2, most kids need about 11–14 hours of sleep daily, including one or two daytime naps.💡 Kids Health
1 year👶
At this age, your toddler is still transitioning from baby sleep patterns to those of a little one. They typically need around 11-14 hours of sleep daily, including 1-2 naps.
2 years🧒
By now, most toddlers have dropped to one nap per day, but their total sleep needs remain around 11-13 hours. Monitor their cues and adjust nap times or bedtime as needed.
3 years👪
At this age, many toddlers say goodbye to naps, requiring around 10-13 hours of sleep at night. Ensure a consistent bedtime routine and a calming sleep environment to help them drift off easily.
9 tips to help your toddler sleep through the night
Are toddler bedtime fights causing you to have insomniac nights? Rather than searching for miracle cures, routines, and thoughtful adjustments are the keys to restful evenings and rested mornings. These nine sleep-saving tips will enable you to do just that.
1. Establish a consistent bedtime routine⏰
Like a warm bath or a soothing lullaby, a consistent bedtime routine signals it's time to sleep. With the help of warm baths, calming stories, gentle songs, meditations, and affirmations, which you can find on the StoryBook App, you can create a predictable sequence that soothes anxieties and helps your toddler unwind.
Check these schedules here! : toddler sleep schedule
2. Create a comfortable sleep environment 🛌
Transform your child's room into a cozy haven. Keep it dark, calm, and quiet. Invest in blackout curtains, white noise machines, and a temperature in the toddler's room that is neither too hot nor too cold.
3. Monitor daily naps🤱
Don't let daydreams become nighttime demons. Monitor nap lengths and timings. Avoid late naps or overly long ones that can steal nighttime slumber. Remember, a shorter nap might mean an earlier bedtime!
If your toddler refused to nap, check here!: toddler refusing to nap
4. Introduce a transitional object 🏆
A beloved blankie, a special stuffy – these cuddly companions provide comfort and security, easing separation anxieties and making the transition to sleep smoother.
5. Limit screen time before bed📱❌
The blue light emitted from screens is like a siren call for alertness. Turn off TVs, tablets, and phones at least an hour before bedtime. Opt for calmer activities like reading or singing.
6. Encourage relaxing techniques🤱
Dim the lights, practice deep breathing exercises, and listen to soothing music – these techniques encourage your child to calm down and prepare their body for sleep.
7. Evaluate diet and bedtime snacks🎑
Avoid sugary snacks and heavy meals close to bedtime. Opt for calming options like warm milk, bananas, or chamomile tea. A balanced diet throughout the day also impacts nighttime and daytime sleep well.
8. Maintain a regular sleep schedule⏰💤
Consistency is key! Try your best to maintain a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends. Waking up and going to bed at similar times helps regulate your child's internal clock.
If you need more detailed information about baby sleep schedules, please take a look at our article. Baby sleep schedule
9. Consult with a pediatrician if needed🧑⚕️
If your toddler's sleep troubles persist and you're at your wit's end, don't hesitate to seek professional advice. A pediatrician can assess your child's individual needs and offer personalized guidance.
Common signs of sleep troubles in toddlers
The challenges of getting toddlers to sleep can be overcome by recognizing common signs and developing a peaceful nighttime routine. Check these issues here! : toddlers' sleeping issues
"Toddlers often experience difficulty sleeping due to their ongoing process of transitioning between fantasy and reality. Nightmares or vivid dreams, fueled by their burgeoning imagination, can disrupt their sleep."
Dra. Lorena Koppel 💡
- Night waking: waking up multiple times throughout the night, often crying or seeking comfort. This could be due to separation anxiety fighting sleep itself, hunger, thirst, or needing to use the bathroom.
- Early morning waking: consistently waking up before your desired wake time, feeling energized and eager to start the day may be a sign of an early toddler bed-time or an overtired toddler who requires less sleep overall.
- Difficulty falling asleep: children may tell endless stories, ask for hugs and water, or find any excuse to delay bedtime. This may be a cry for attention or a way to cope with fear or separation anxiety.
- Restlessness and frequent movement: fidgeting, squirming, and constantly changing positions throughout the middle of the night. Discomfort, an overactive imagination, or nightmares could cause this.
- Nightmares and night terrors: the toddler wakes up terrified, screaming, or crying, with little recollection of the episode. This common sleep phenomenon in toddlers usually doesn't require intervention.
- Sleepwalking: seemingly awake but unresponsive, wandering around the house can be unnerving. Ensure safety by removing hazards and locking doors.
Written By
Francisco Cornejo, a dynamic entrepreneur with a Masters in Communication from RMIT University in Australia, is the Co-Founder and CEO of Storybook. As a serial entrepreneur, he notably served as the Chief Marketing Officer at Honda Motors in Latin America, shaping the brand's regional presence. Passionate about family well-being and communication, Francisco leads Storybook in its mission to improve children's health globally, aiming to create positive impacts in both corporate and societal spheres.
References
- National Sleep Foundation. (n.d.). Sleep Disorders in Children. Retrieved from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/children-and-sleep/sleep-disorders-in-children
- Kids Health:Nemours KidsHealth. (n.d.). Sleep and Your 1- to 2-Year-Old. Retrieved from https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sleep12yr.html
- McKenna, J. J., & McDade, T. (2005). Why babies should never sleep alone: A review of the co-sleeping controversy in relation to SIDS, bedsharing and breast feeding. Paediatric respiratory reviews, 6(2), 134-152. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1526054205000230