Common Toddler Sleep Problems

Parents often have experience of toddler sleep problems! Around a third of children aged between 6 months and 5 years have sleep problems - it could be problems in going to bed, falling asleep or they could have trouble staying asleep during the night.

Don't worry - further down this page we will give you tips to overcome general toddler sleeping problems.

Specific toddler sleep problems will be explained separately:

• nightmares in toddlers
• night terrors in toddlers
• toddler snoring
• toddler teeth grinding
• getting out of bed
• your toddler just doesn't want to go to sleep
• waking up too early
• bedtime teeth brushing problems
• toddler tantrums at bedtime

If you are visiting this page, then you are probably feeling exasperated and tired as a result of your toddler's sleeping problems. If he's not sleeping, then probably you aren't too.

Toddler sleep issues can effect the whole family - with everyone feeling craggy, grumpy and as a mum or dad, unable to function normally is hard-going.

Take heart, you are not alone. And they will get better eventually.

Firstly let your medical professional know that you are having toddler sleep issues. You need to check that your toddler is good health and that his sleep problems are not hiding anything that might need treating. They will hopefully also be supportive to you as the tired parent.

• Have a clear and happy bedtime routine.
• Be sure that your toddler has had plenty of fresh air and exercise during the day. To go to sleep they need to have used their bodies during the day and they then need to rest.
• Try to stay relaxed yourself at bedtime otherwise your toddler will pick up on your anxiety and become restless.
• Be clear, consistent, firm and stay calm when you tell her it's time to sleep.
• Don't send your toddler to bed as a punishment - bed needs to be a good, happy place to be.
• If you have scolded your toddler before sleep time make sure that you go to him again so that he goes to sleep in a happy way.
• Make sure his daytime toddler naps are not too long, or too late in the afternoon. As he is developing so much during his toddler years his routine will need to change quite often. It's easy to get stuck in an old routine and as a result, your toddler could be sleeping too much during the day. Shorten his daytime naps.
• If your toddler wakes too early cut down slightly on the daytime naps and make his bedtime a little later.
• See if your toddler is anxious about anything - if he is crying a lot he may need your reassurance about something.
• Spend quality time during the day with him so that he doesn't want your attention at night time - if he only gets your undivided attention at bed time then he will want to lengthen that special time.

Being a parent is wonderful of course, but it's also demanding and tiring - if your toddler sleep issues improve, so too will yours!

Good Luck!