Just when you thought newborn sleep was as bad as it could get, enter your two-year-old and their raging battle against rest. If you find yourself refilling that coffee cup once or twice in the morning, you’re not alone.
Toddlers and sleep issues tend to go hand-in-hand. Toddlers this age are becoming more independent, and also more imaginative. This can lead to more bedtime protests, and also some new fears.
Here’s a list of common sleep problems, and some tips on how to conquer them.
Prolonging bedtime
“One more story.”
“Some more water?”
“I’m not tired.”
If this sounds like your new nightly routine, it sounds like Baby has discovered a popular toddler tactic: prolonging bedtime. This is done, of course, because they would rather stay up with you than go to sleep; after all, sleeping is no fun, and playing with you is a blast. To nip this in the bud, be firm with Baby, and don’t bend on that extra story or bedtime song. The more they know they can get from you, the further they will push.
Skipping naps
Some toddlers will outgrow their afternoon nap this year, while others may still need a nap for years to come – but the children who want to drop a nap aren’t always the ones who are ready to. If Baby is starting to phase out their nap, gauge their behavior on days when they stay awake. If they are extra grumpy and groggy by late afternoon, odds are, they still need that block of afternoon sleep. However, if they are full of pep and ready to crash earlier in the evening, it may be fine to go with that, so long as they are making up for those lost hours at night.
Fear of the dark
Toddlers have active imaginations, and this is the age when Baby may start to be afraid of new things, like a monster in the closet or a shadow on the wall. You can help calm their fears by showing them how the room looks with the lights on, and promising them that the room is safe. You may also choose to offer them a night light, so they doesn’t need to fall asleep in total darkness.
Leaving the bed
For many parents, one of the biggest barriers between them and a good night’s sleep is finding their toddler climbing into bed with them, which can very quickly become a routine. This is a common part of the transition from the crib to a toddler or “big kid” bed, as toddlers suddenly realize they’re able to get out of bed and move around. To avoid making this a habit, calmly and quietly walk them back into their own room at night, and tuck them back into bed.
Early rising
Much like adults, some toddlers prefer to sleep in, while others are early risers. If Baby is waking up earlier than you’d prefer, but still at a reasonable time, you may just have to adjust to their schedule. However, if they are up before the sun, try to think about what might be causing it. For example, if a noisy neighbor leaving for work is waking Baby before they are ready, try placing a sound machine in the room. If that first ray of sun is causing them to pop out of bed, try keeping the room dark with shades to give the illusion that it’s still nighttime.
