Your Toddler Sleep Kit:
Help with Common
Toddler Sleep Problems
Your toddler sleep kit: avoid typical toddler
sleep
problems, find the most useful toddler bed room gear and ... sleep well
yourself too. Don't miss the Q & A section below for inspiration and tips for your own situation!Your sleep
Life with a toddler can be such fun: playing, cuddling, going out, chatting, ... your tiny baby is becoming a 'big' person. But many toddlers do not sleep well all the time and can still wake you up to many sleepless nights. Or wake up early (!) in the morning. And then there is terrible two's ...Just now that you were finally hoping to get your nights back! Arrive at work in the morning fresh and full of energy. Or with maybe a baby brother or sister on the way, you just desperately need to sleep.
What will help you get the most sleep:
- Setting boundaries. You decide: is he allowed to come out of bed for a sip of water? Call for you or come to your room when needed at night? Rules are only easy to follow by a toddler, if they are simple and consistent.
- You are confident: don't worry, you wouldn't be the first parent to lose confidence if your toddler just won't sleep, night after night. But if you can at least 'act' confidently, give him the feeling that you know what you are doing, that has a huge effect.
- Relax and keep a positive attitude: the rest and comfort will shine onto your toddler and help you both sleep at best.
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Toddler sleep essentials
Being a toddler is hard work:Learning to walk, run and bounce :) Learning to talk. Meeting more and more 'strangers' (at the park, in day care and creche, playgroups, ...). Eating like a big person. Discovering that there are 'rules': you are not allowed to write on the carpet, or to touch the TV screen, or to come out of bed to go look for mommy at night ...
There are so many things to learn yet so many things to try out ... :)
So it's not so surprising to have some toddler sleep problems sooner or later.
As it was when your toddler was just a little baby, it is still important to have all the basics in place: a regular schedule and bedtime routine. A good regular nap a day keeps your child happy and encourages better sleep at night. See "Nap in a Snap" for a complete guide to good naps.
The main difference is that you may need to add some flexibility. Your toddler has a busier life (so a nap will be scheduled cleverly around those, or the activity scheduled around the nap). He also learns to express what he wants and needs. But must be guided in the right direction, by you.
Finding a way to mix what he wants, what you expect from him and what gives him a sound sleep basis is a rewarding exercise.
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Typical toddler sleep problems
Typical toddler sleep problems are:- Frequently waking at night. Self soothing is still key, and it is not too late to learn: see "No-Tears Self Soothing" for the successful 3-step technique.
- Refusing to go to bed, and stay there: this is where you start working on 'rules' and setting boundaries. Key is to be clear and consistent. Praise and even a simple reward charts can work miracles.
- Hidden overtiredness: this is a biggie among toddler sleep problems. A toddler can be so active at night and you may wonder 'where does he get this energy at 8pm (or 10pm) at night?!' He should be tired by then, right?
And
in fact, he is tired. But once a child is overtired he can seem
very (!) awake instead. And being overtired makes it SO hard to fall
asleep later on, let alone have a restful night. Early bedtimes are
best to avoid this (and when well-timed, they usually result in longer
nights, not earlier rises as is often thought).
- Waking up very early: this can have many reasons but always check if there is not too much light or noise, is it getting colder or hotter towards early morning, ...? A little timer light can help teach your toddler to stay in bed for longer (see below).
- Wet diapers and later, bedwetting
- Sleep apnea in toddlers is usually obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). When in doubt, look out for the signs of sleep apnea, and contact your health advisor.
Q&A Toddler
My 15 month old is wanting to sleep most of the day
My 2 year old keeps me up all night
15 month old daughter has never slept through
My 14 months old Daughter just sleeps from 11to 4
14 month old baby sleep retrogression
17 month old daughter still wont sleep
My 15 months old baby boy is still cosleeping with us
Don't hesitate to Ask your own question if you would like personal advice.
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Your toddler gear checklist
Around the age of 2, your toddler will probably transition from crib to bed. A toddler bed rail is a very simple but extremely useful help. Make his toddler bed a fun place to be: a cute sets and soft toys around make it a cosy place where he loves to spend time.From the age of 2, your toddler can have a thin pillow if you want, and if he likes that. But it is not absolutely necessary.
A toddler sleeping bag is very good to keep him warm even in the big toddler bed, especially during the transition.
One of the typical toddler sleep problems is waking up very early in the morning (5-6am). Whether he sleeps or not, the main thing you want is for him to stay in bed, quietly (without waking you up) until the day starts, say 7am (or a similar reasonable time that suits you).
To work on this, it's important that your toddler knows when that time is there.
A small light with a timer or a good toddler alarm clock is ideal for this. Set it to switch on/off at say 7am. When your toddler wakes up and does not see a changed light or wake-up picture: he knows it is too early to come and wake you up.
If it has changed, then he knows the day can start :)
Remember that good baby slings will comfortably carry your toddler up to 2 or 3 years old.
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