As a parent of a baby, you anticipate sleepless nights. However, you didn’t expect to search for reasons to understand, “Why is my toddler not sleeping at night?” Your baby may suddenly burst out crying for you or beg you to do something other than sleep. Let’s find out here!
Is It Normal for Toddlers to Have Sleep Issues?
It’s quite normal for toddlers to have sleep issues because they might not want the day to actually end or change in sleep needs, developmental milestones or anything else. How much sleep a toddler needs varies from toddler to toddler. In general, they need a good 11 to 13 hours of sleep in an entire day, including naps.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, toddlers need 11 to 14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, including naps.
Why Is My Toddler Not Sleeping? 10 Causes & Solutions
1. New Milestones
A common issue parents face is their toddler waking up in the middle of the night, crying or calling out. Disruptions in sleep can occur because of a toddler development. Your baby is now making new developmental leaps or hitting a new milestone.
What to Do: Consistently maintain a sleep training session to teach your toddler to fall asleep independently.
#2. Over-tired Toddler
Toddlers often face difficulty sleeping on overtiring days. They may play or remain active throughout the day but fail to fall asleep.
What to do: Routine is necessary to make them sleep for 11 to 14 hours in a 24-hour period.
#3. Irregular Bedtime Routine
A poor and irregular bedtime routine can also hamper their sleep.
What to do: Set up a bedtime routine to let your toddler associate it with sleep.
#4. Inappropriate environment
Your baby isn’t sleeping well in a specific room.
What to do: Shut the door and keep the room quiet to avoid noise reaching your baby. Switch on a dim light and give them a pacifier.
#5. Separation Anxiety
Many toddlers between 1.5 to 2 years of age develop separation anxiety. Without you, bedtime is scary for them.
What to do: You can create a cozy bedtime routine and do everything to stick to it. Dim the lights and give their favorite toy!
#6. Too long daytime sleep
Children may stay asleep for too long during the day. The nap stretching for hours can affect bedtime at night.
What to do: Push your toddler’s nap schedule to early afternoon slowly and make it 15 to 30 minutes long.
#7.Bedtime Stalling
Sometimes babies delay their bedtime and ask for a drink, more stories or a trip to the washroom.
What to do: Help your child know it’s time for sleep. Stick to the regular routine and make your stay shorter.
8. Excessive screen time
Often, toddlers nag parents or caregivers to watch their favorite shows on screen for hours. This directly causes sleep and behavior problems in toddlers. Here’s how you can reduce screen time in toddlers without meltdowns.
What to do: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends banning screen time for babies below 18 months and age-appropriate 1 hour of screen time for children aged 2 to 5 years.
#9. Over-stimulation
Overexcitement and squirmy behaviour before bedtime can also hamper sleep.
What to do: Calm down your baby by taking them to a shower and then reading a goodnight story to gradually shift their daytime fun to a dreamy bedtime routine.
#10. Illness
A good sleep is elusive when your toddler is sick.
What to do: Give extra hugs and cuddle your baby to let them mend.
What to Do When Your Toddler Won’t Sleep?
How to get my toddler to sleep without crying? Many parents of toddlers quest for the perfect solution for why their toddler won’t sleep. To sort out the toddler’s bedtime struggles, follow a soothing bedtime routine. Once your baby starts expecting bath time, then story time and finally tuck-in, they are likely to feel comfortable seeing bedtime like any other activity of their day.
When to See a Pediatrician
Consult a pediatrician if your toddler is having physical reasons like snoring without sleep, sleep talking, sleep walking or sleep apnea. The doctor can help you assess and uncover the reason behind your toddler bedtime battles.
Toddler Sleep Fix Summary
- Set a consistent bedtime routine
- Reduce screen time before sleep
- Adjust nap timings
- Create a calm, dark sleep environment
Final words
In this developmental stage, a toddler finds it difficult to sleep. However, parents often unknowingly worry about why their toddler is not sleeping at night! Remember, this is a growing phase, which shall pass with time, patience and a consistent routine. Also, don’t miss our blog on how to manage emotions in toddlers during bedtime transitions.
Struggling with toddler sleep? Share your experiences or questions in the comments—we’re here to help.
FAQs
1. Why does my toddler keep waking up at night?
Separation anxiety, inconsistent bedtimes, sleep regression or developmental achievements are the most common reasons behind why toddlers wake up at night.
2. What to do if my toddler refuses bedtime?
On days your toddler refuses bedtime, address this by making firm boundaries. Include them in calming activities and give a visual sleeping time cue.
3. Why is my toddler suddenly not sleeping?
Often, factors like changing bedtime needs, routine changes and milestones interrupt sleeping time in toddlers.