Many parents agree that the sure way to get a toddler to sleep, is to tire him/her out with activities, such as a trip to the park or a play session at a children’s centre.
It’s not unheard of toddlers who don’t sleep through the night. If a toddler is doing well with solids, a parent can reduce the volume of milk given during the night until only water is offered when he/she wakes up.
Understanding Toddler Sleep
According to experts, toddlers wake up around five times at night. They might murmur, turn over or bang their limbs against the side of their cot. Even if they open their eyes, they can go back to sleep. However if a toddler has still not learnt to go to sleep on his/her own, a parent needs at least a week to establish a successful bedtime routine.
Toddlers tend to nap less during the day – usually a major nap around lunchtime from one to two hours. It’s best not to let a toddler nap too late in the afternoon – a parent should wake him/her up if the child sleeps for too long or it will affect night sleep. If a toddler is an early riser, light might be an issue, so a blackout blind might help.
Sleep-preventing Factors For Toddlers
These factors are similar to those affecting babies but hunger becomes less of a problem as a toddler's fuller diet means he/she takes in enough food to sleep through.
Overtiredness/overstimulation – Just like babies, overtired toddlers are irritable and will fight sleep. Toddlers nieed to wind down to go to sleep, so a calm environment can help.
Thirst/diet – Hunger or thirst is one of the main reasons toddlers wake up at night. An unbalanced diet with too much processed food or drinks high in sugar and additives can lead to poor sleep.
Illness/teething – If a toddler has a cold or is ill, he/she will wake up to feed or have a drink at night. If a child suffers from severe teething pain, which can happen when molars are cutting tender gums, a teething gel and a dose of infant paracetamol will help.
Discomfort/separation anxiety – If a child’s room is too hot or too cold, he/she might wake up (the ideal room temperature is 18º C). Separation anxiety usually inhibit sleep in older babies, but it might surface in toddlerhood. It’s advisable to reassure the child without giving him/her too much attention or the child will wake up regularly, expecting to be rewarded with parental attention.
Healthy toddlers can sleep through the night, so if a child doesn't, a parent can try various strategies to sort out sleeping problems. If nothing works, it's advisable to seek medical advice as healthcare professionals can assess a child's wellbeing and see if a sleep problem is due to a medical condition.
Further Reading
Sleep And Its Disorders In Children: Sleeplessness In Infants And Younger Children
