Toddlers' Sleep: Habits And Behavior 1 to 3 Years

Sleep is super important for toddlers as they grow, and it's up to us parents to set up good sleep habits. 🥳 Let’s talk about something that might shake up those sleep patterns: the 18-month sleep regression.

This happens because toddlers are hitting new milestones, like talking more and getting more physical—think walking and climbing! These big changes can make bedtime a bit trickier, so knowing about this phase can really help you handle it smoothly.

Check out the ideal toddler bedtime routine to help establish healthy sleep habits. ⬇️

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How to establish good sleep habits for toddlers

Establishing healthy eating habits and sleep routines early on ensures that toddlers benefit from a lifetime of restful nights. By incorporating calming practices, you can confidently help your little one navigate bedtime and easily reach dreamland.

Check out more examples and information about bedtime routines here: bedtime routine for kids

1. Create a consistent bedtime routine

Creating healthy sleep habits early on sets children up for a healthier life. Let's look at a concrete example to establish healthy toddler sleep patterns:

• Preparation (8:00 - 8:20 pm): Start with a soothing bath to relax your toddler (8:00 - 8:15 pm), followed by changing into comfy pajamas (8:15 - 8:20 pm).

• Snack and Hygiene (8:20 - 8:50 pm): Offer a healthy snack like fruit to keep bedtime hunger at bay (8:20 - 8:40 pm), then brush teeth to ensure good oral hygiene (8:40 - 8:50 pm)

• Wind Down (8:50 - 9:00 pm): Settle in with a story from the Storybook app, possibly combined with a gentle massage to help them relax and steer clear of too much screen time, leading up to sleep time at 9:00 pm.

2. Gentle massage

Gentle massages can be a great way to help your toddler unwind before bed. They promote relaxation, stimulate sleep-inducing hormones like melatonin, and strengthen the emotional bond between you and your child.

The Storybook App offers specific massage techniques designed to calm young children, making it easier for them to settle down and enjoy a restful sleep.

Regular massages not only aid in better sleep but also improve overall health by supporting immune function and aiding digestion.

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3. Create a comfortable sleep environment

To create a comfortable sleep environment for your toddler, transform their bedroom into a sleep-friendly zone. Make sure the room is dark, quiet, and cool, ideally around 38°C (although you might have meant a cooler temperature like 18-20°C, as 38°C is quite warm).

Install blackout curtains to block out any disruptive light from outside. Additionally, consider using a red nightlight. Red light doesn't inhibit melatonin production like blue or white light does, and melatonin is crucial for regulating sleep.

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4. Monitor sleep duration

Pay attention to how much sleep your child needs. Most toddlers and young children require between 11 and 14 hours of sleep daily. Follow their sleep patterns weekly to detect inconsistencies and adjust nap times.

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5. Introduce a sleep cue

A special blanket, lullaby, or soft night light can become a comforting signal that it's time for a toddler to sleep; bedtime now. 

This familiar signal helps children relax and know what to expect, which eases the transition to bedtime, including insights on when to transition to a toddler bed.

"As children learn new skills, their sleep habits change. Child psychology reinforces flexibility as a tool to adjust healthy sleep habits."
💡Dra. Lorena Koppel

6. Limit stimulation

Screens emit blue light, suppressing melatonin production and making sleeping difficult. Avoid screens at least one hour before bedtime and opt for quiet activities such as drawing, singing, or relaxing music. Encourage these types of activities.

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7. Moving to a toddler bed

The transition to a toddler bed marks a significant milestone in a child's development, offering increased independence and safety.

This transition allows children to get in and out of bed on their own, fostering autonomy and reducing the risk of injuries from climbing out of a crib.

Although the newfound freedom might temporarily disrupt sleep as they adjust, a toddler bed provides more space and comfort, easing the shift to bigger beds in the future.

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What to do when a toddler resists bedtime?

When your toddler resists bedtime, it can be a challenging issue for any parent to navigate. As children grow, their sleep needs change, which can sometimes lead to bedtime resistance. Most toddlers will stop napping between the ages of 3 and 4 years old.

Interestingly, current research shows that less than 2.5% of toddlers stop napping before age 2, and about 94% will have ceased napping by age 5. Understanding these sleep patterns is crucial as it influences how we address toddlers sleeping issues.

1. Stay calm: Remember that your frustration amplifies the situation. Take a deep breath, keep your voice soft but firm, and calm the situation.

2. Investigate the source: Is your child overtired or under-stimulated? Is he or she anxious about something? Is he or she looking for your attention? Do a problem screen.

3.  Offer choices: Within reasonable limits, offer your child a choice of a story, favorite pajamas, or a soothing tune. This sense of autonomy can help ease resistance.

Explore this blog for insights on improving your performance when dealing if your toddler won't sleep

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Typical toddler sleep patterns

Although toddlers may seem like boundless balls of energy, they need significant sleep to fuel their rapid physical and mental development.

Understanding their different stages of sleep and how much they require at different ages can help you get a toddler sleep schedule and better at nap schedules and nighttime awakenings.

Age and sleep needs

Toddler sleep needs to vary slightly for the sleep changes in many toddlers throughout their ages. According to Better Health toddlers generally sleep 12 to 13 hours in 24 hours, including daytime naps of 1 to 2 hours.

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“Toddlers generally sleep 12 to 13 hours in 24 hours, including daytime naps of 1 to 2 hours.” 
💡 Better Health

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Let's look at the following table:

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Common patterns

Little ones can definitely have their own unique sleep quirks, but there are some typical patterns that emerge during the first three years:

Toddlers generally need between 11 to 14 hours of sleep each day. This usually includes about 10 to 12 hours at night and a couple of hours during the day, spread over one or two naps.

These sleep patterns help support their rapid physical and cognitive development, keeping them energized and ready for all that learning and growing!

• 🌅 Early risers and night owls: Some toddlers become hopping bunnies at dawn, while others stay awake like wide-eyed owls.

• 🛌 Nap nomads: Naps can be unpredictable at this age. Some toddlers need two stops, and others spend the afternoon wide awake. Watch your child's cues very carefully.

• 💫 Drowsy clouds: Illness, travel, or changes in routine can disrupt sleep patterns and cause irritability and resistance.

Patience, consistency, and reassuring routines can help weather the storm!

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Factors affecting sleep

• 🎑 Environment: A dark, quiet, cool room with a comfortable bed and familiar objects creates a haven for sleep.

• ⏰ Routine: Consistent bedtime and wake-up times, soothing rituals such as baths or stories, and predictable nap times help regulate their internal clock.

• 🌌 Development: Developmental leaps and new skills can cause excitement and disrupt sleep patterns. Patience and calmness are critical during these growth spurts.

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Common toddler sleep challenges

In the evolution of the health of our children, we can see several challenges; let's look at some of them:

• Health: Illness, teething, or allergies can cause discomfort and disrupt sleep. Addressing these problems can restore calm to the seas.

• Emotions: Anxiety, nightmares, or separation anxiety can cause nighttime awakenings. Comforting them, addressing their fears, and creating a sense of security will help them rest better.‍

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Caring for babies and toddlers with sleep challenges can be exhausting. It is essential to seek support for yourself through family, friends, and your community. 💡The Royal Children’s Hospital.

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Addresses parents' sleep problems, such as frequent night wakings, early rising, nap time, bedtime battles, and challenges like toddlers refusing to nap.

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Sleep schedule example for toddlers

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What are common signs of sleep regression in toddlers?

Young children may surprise you with a detour called sleep regression. These temporary disruptions often occur when there are developmental leaps, teething, illness, or changes in routine. Here are some common signs to watch for:

• Frequent nighttime awakenings: Your little one may wake up more frequently than usual, seeking comfort or needing gentle guidance to get back to sleep.

• Early morning wake-ups: You may find yourself awake before the rooster crows, with your child jumping up and down at the foot of the bed.

• Nap nomads: Naps may become shorter or disappear altogether, leaving your little one cranky and overtired.

• Bedtime battles: Resistance to bedtime routines may intensify, with protests, tears, and attempts at avoidance.

 For more information, please visit our blog: toddlers sleeping issues

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