I think as parents we often predict that our newborns will leave us with sleepless nights. As our babies grow, we start to get a taste back of what sleep is like. We accomplish 4 hours, then 5 hours, then 6 hours, and so on. As adults, we usually see our “sleeping through the night” as at least 7 or 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. It can be an adjustment not always getting those hours!
I was pretty ecstatic when my son started sleeping through the night (in my terms) by the time I returned to work. Of course there were nights when he would wake up. However, for the most part, we both achieved a night long sleep.
Recently in the past month, at 21 months, it has been a different story. He started waking up several times during the night. Sometimes a diaper change would work and he would be back to sleep shortly. Other times he wanted something to drink, or just wanted to ask me a question. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “Mommyyyyyy, GG come?” at 3:00 AM. (GG is what he calls my mom). Soon I was on a schedule of maybe 5 hours of interrupted sleep. Unlike my son who could take a nap, unfortunately my work would frown upon that if they found me nestled below my desk for a 2 hour snoozer.
Below are the aspects I examined and hopefully tips you will find useful:
Look at what they eat for dinner
I started writing down what my son had for dinner, and then what his sleep pattern was that night. Sure enough, the nights we ate out where he was able to drink a juice box or have a dessert, were also nights he woke up often. This also happened on nights when he had specific fruits with his dinner at home. After a little research, I discovered that some of his favorites, such as bananas, mangoes, and grapes have some of the highest sugar content around! For evening fruits I switched him to raspberries and blackberries, which have very low sugar content.
Consistent Nap Time
Trust me, I know it is hard to make sure your little one takes a nap every day at the same time. This is difficult for me especially on weekends. As a working mom, I don’t get to run the errands I would like to during the week. Therefore I often have to squeeze them in on the weekends and nap time can be thrown off. Stick with consistency and ensure your child takes regular naps.
Allow a small drink by their bed
Now my son had been waking up telling me he is thirsty. I made the mistake of giving him milk as a soother to fall back asleep. My fault! I should have been giving him water (especially since he now brushes his teeth at night). I’ve started leaving a small sippy cup of cold water next to his bed during the night. Now he can reach over and sip whenever he wants. It is important to give water than other liquids as to prevent tooth decay issues.
Snuggle Buddy
Before I put my son to bed, I make sure he has his “snuggle buddies.” This consists of his favorite blanket and a stuffed Giraffe his father gave him. Make sure these two items are tucked in with him have become a essential. I certainly find him in the morning now snuggle up with the two. Giving your toddler something they love to snuggle with will help provide comfort in the middle of the night if they wake up.
Play sooth music at a low volume
I have an old sound machine that somehow my song dug out of who knows where. One day he came up to me and handed the machine over asking “What’s this?”. The gesture gave me an idea! When my son was an infant he had an “aquarium” attached to his crib that played soothing ocean sounds. Well those worked then… and sure enough, what do you know, they still work now!
Warm soothing bath with lavender
In the evening, draw your toddler a warm, soothing bath to help calm them down and relax. Add a hint of lavender for an even more calming effect. They actually make baby/children’s bath lather that include a lavender scent.
Keep in mind that every child is different. What worked for me, might not work for you. However, if you are struggling with your toddler not sleeping, you may want to try one of the tips above. Good luck!
What tips and tricks worked with your toddler in getting them to sleep through the night?
I’m not a doctor, not a professional. Just a parent stating what worked for my toddler and I.
Chelsea Klassen says
Great tips! I have been fortunate and taught my kids to sleep through the night earlier with some of these same tips!
julie marling says
We used the music trick! That worked great!
Erika Bragdon says
I have four children (my youngest just turned 2) and they all sleep great. The soothing music tip has been my lifesaver through the years. Definitely a great one. Good tips! :)
Greta says
Soothing music is a great tip! I have to admit – I still use that or boring television to get to sleep.
Dawn says
I know that many don’t agree, but I let my daughter sleep with me for the first few years of her life. We both loved it and then one day she just decided she wanted to be a big girl and sleep in her own bed. And that was that, lol.
Dawn
Sonya says
Thanks for the tips! I hadn’t thought about sugar affecting them waking up in the middle of the night. I knew the correlation to it being difficult to get them to sleep initially, but didn’t know it could cause them waking up in the middle of the night.
Cristine says
Great tips. I remember those days – so happy that my kids are beyond that. I need my sleep
Kat H. says
While some of these will help a toddler go to sleep, almost nothing will keep them asleep. There are lucky parents who don’t have an issue with toddlers who wake up. However, in a lot of cases toddler’s brains are programmed to wake them up. It is a health and wellness factor. Your child is ready to wake up and fight and scream should the need arrive. Three thousand years ago this would have made you proud because your child would be a survivor, now it is annoying since they don’t need that instinct. What you need to do is teach your toddler how to self sooth. Once they have this ability they will not wake you as often. Source: Child Psychology and human physiology.
Clancy Harrison says
Thank you for the tips- my son will not sleep and I have not tried the lavender- I will try it tonight for sure!
Donna says
Great tips! I was so blessed that our son was and is a great sleeper. He slept through the night from the time he was 4 days old. Seriously, 6-7 hours straight. Now that he is 10, he is still a great sleeper. He always wakes up easily for school, too. *knocks* wood. :)
Nicole Pafford says
I use the bath and snuggle items.
AlannaB says
Both of my boys rely on routine. At 8 pm they get diaper changes (or in my oldest one’s case – goes to the bathroom), a story, 2 songs, and prayers. My youngest has a favorite stuffed animal to sleep with and has bedtime music. Any night when this system is distrupted usually ends in chaos, especially for my two year old who will strip down to his diaper and throw everything out of his bed in protest.
Liberty Boblett says
I always make sure my kids have a small cup of water beside their beds. It was always such an excuse to get up and down every night just to get a drink! Wonderful tips!
Meagan Paullin says
Oh maaaan – We so struggle with this at my house!! I’ll try some of these tips… I’ll try ANYTHING at this point, lol.
Tonya says
Those are some really great tips! My 2yr. old sleeps through the night but has recently started to wake up about one night a week to get into our bed.
Jennifer Williams says
I can remember those days/nights. My oldest was easy, my youngest was not. My husband moved to the other side of the house so he would not get woke up (yeah, that went over well). Nothing would work for my son but running water or car rides. I used to go to work saying I played dodge possum (because they always jumped in front of the car). I now have a fountain in every room of the house so the running water keeps him calm all the time.
Kelsey House says
loved these tips! thank you for sharing!
Kim S. says
Good tips! I’ll be keeping these tucked away for later since my son is only 5 months.
Ondria Witt says
Thanks for these tips! I’m glad I found this post! We have some really great weeks, where my 2-year-old will sleep through the night with no problem, and then we have weeks like this one, where he’s waking up 2-3 times a night, winds up in our bed and we all sleep terribly! I’m going to start trying to get him on a better schedule, and hopefully, we’ll all be better off!