Not only will it help you as the parent, but it will also set the expectation for your child. Whatever the case, it’s a good idea to get into a routine with a goal bedtime that’s the same each and every night, even on weekends. And you may be surprised at how simple it is to create good habits that stick. Sleep hygiene can help reset and shift circadian rhythm so your child is tired at bedtime. Or you may be doing things, like watching screens (blue light), that stimulate the brain versus relax it. You may be putting them to bed before their body signals they’re tired. This basically means that your child’s internal clock may be off. Studies show that your child’s circadian rhythm may be partially responsible as well. Second, your child may grow fearful of sleeping because they’re worried they’ll have more nightmares. First, they may wake your child from an otherwise sound sleep. Monsters under the bed, nightmares, and night terrors may work against sleep in two ways. Those cute stories they tell you during the day can turn sinister in their mind at night. Whether you’ve realized it or not, your tot has an active imagination. They may not even let you leave the room without a struggle, leading to quite a bedtime battle. All that fear of missing out (yes - toddlers can get FOMO!) can lead to bedtime resistance.Īnd if you’re lucky enough to get your little one into bed, they might want you to hang out while they fall asleep. Or they may wonder what goes on after they go to bed. Young children may not want to be separated from their caregivers. Truth is, your toddler may not love bedtime because they miss you. If your child does still need daytime rest, they may actually be overtired at bedtime, leading to that difficult-to-calm conundrum. That said, resist the urge to drop naps too soon. Look at the sleep requirements for their age and tally up the hours they’re getting between daytime and nighttime sleep. Your toddler may not be tired if they’re napping too much. If you cross it, your tot may not be able to fall asleep because they’re so exhausted they don’t know what to do with themselves. There’s a fine line between super energized and overtired, however. Some well-meaning parents try tiring out their kids by letting them run circles around the house before lights out. If they don’t have a proper outlet to play and burn energy, they may not be tired at bedtime. You may notice along with sleep issues that your child is crankier and clingier than normal, not eating as much, or has some other type of difference in their day. Your child is going through big changes or transitions If you’re feeling stressed from all the rushing around, your toddler may also be picking up and holding onto that energy versus winding down.
Between bath time, putting on pajamas, brushing teeth, combing hair, packing everything for the next day - everyone may be running around at Mach speed. Is bedtime chaotic in your household? You’re not alone. If you can identify what’s going on, you may be able to help your child snooze with a few tweaks to their routine. Possible reasons for toddler sleep difficultiesĪside from recognized sleep disorders, there are more benign (harmless) issues that may cause trouble at bedtime. Related: Sleep disorders in children: Symptoms, causes, and treatments Your tot’s behavior during the day is impacted by sleep issues at night.Your child acts differently at night, wakes up frequently all throughout the night, or has fear of sleep or the night.Your tot snores or seems to have difficulty breathing while asleep.Here are a few signs to make an appointment: If your child is consistently getting far less sleep than is recommended, you may want to contact your pediatrician. And it may vary depending on a number of factors, like whether your child is sick or if they’re having an off day. So, a 4-year-old may only take a 1-hour nap or no nap and may sleep 10 to 12 hours at night.Įxactly how much sleep your child needs is highly individual. Slightly older children, ages 3 to 5, need between 10 and 13 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.For example, a 2-year-old may take a 2-hour nap during the day and sleep 12 hours at night. Toddlers ages 1 and 2 years old generally need 11 to 14 hours of sleep each day.These issues aren’t just difficult for parents they may also be associated with attentional, behavioral, and emotional problems for kids. Sleep issues impact about 25 percent of young children.
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