Why toddler wont sleep

When your little one starts pushing their bedtime later and later they often wind themselves up due to being overtired. When this happens it can be difficult for them to calm themselves down enough to get to sleep easily. While bringing home a new baby is a joyous event it can lead to behavior changes and sleep disturbances for older children in the home — as can any major life event.

Around 2 years old, some toddlers begin to drop their nap as their social calendar starts to fill up. With all-day family outings and playdates happening, it can be hard to squeeze in a midday nap every day. When changes to a nap schedule happen though, they almost always impact the evening routine. If your toddler has dropped a nap, started sleeping for shorter periods during the day, or is resisting daytime sleep it can affect nighttime sleep as well.

Many toddlers are just getting their 2-year molars , which might be uncomfortable or painful. At 2 years old, many little ones are beginning to see the world in new, more complex ways. With this new complexity often comes new fears. When your child is suddenly not sleeping well the cause may be an age-appropriate fear of the dark or of something scary they imagine. When it comes to solving this regression there are some clear and easy steps you can take to get started. First, you should ensure that your child has all their basic needs met, and that they are not uncomfortable or in pain due to illness or issues like teething.

After ensuring that your little one is healthy and not in pain, you should look to solve any environmental issues that are causing problems at bedtime. If your toddler is climbing out of the crib, for example, make sure the crib mattress is at its lowest setting. If your child is already in a toddler or big bed, ensure that their room is childproof and safe by anchoring all furniture, removing breakable or dangerous items, and following other child-safety best practices.

Doing so means your little one can move safely around the room at night. If your child is experiencing a fear of the dark, you can invest in a night-light or small lamp to make their environment feel safer and more welcoming. Next, you should look at their routine to address any daytime or evening issues that might be causing disruption. If your child is repeatedly leaving their room, experts recommend calmly picking them up or walking them back and putting them back in their bed each time they appear without showing a lot of emotion.

Alternatively, you can try simply sitting outside their door with a book or magazine and reminding them to get back in bed each time they attempt to leave their room. While it might sometimes seem like your little one could run on little to no sleep, the reality is that 2-year-olds still need to be sleeping quite a bit each day.

Start a "winding down" bedtime routine 20 minutes before the time that your child usually falls asleep. Bring this forward by 5 to 10 minutes each week — or 15 minutes if your child is in the habit of going to bed very late — until you get to the bedtime you want. Set a limit on how much time you spend with your child when you put them to bed. For example, read only 1 story, then tuck your child in and say goodnight.

Give your child their favourite toy, dummy if they use one or comforter before settling into bed. Leave a beaker of water within reach and a dim light on if necessary. If your child gets up, keep taking them back to bed again with as little fuss as possible.

Try to be consistent. You may have to repeat this routine for several nights. If your child will not go to sleep without you This technique can help toddlers over 12 months or older children get used to going to sleep without you in the room.

It can also be used whenever your child wakes in the middle of the night. Be prepared for your child to take a long time to settle when you first start. Follow a regular calming bedtime routine. Put your child to bed when they're drowsy but awake, then kiss them goodnight.

Promise to go back in a few moments to give them another kiss. Return almost immediately to give a kiss. Whether you're dealing with month-old sleep regression, 2-year-old sleep regression, or 3-year-old sleep regression, these tips can help your little one get a good night's rest.

Kids this age are learning that they have some power in the world, and they'll seize any opportunity to use it. So don't be surprised if your mini negotiator says just about anything to stall their bedtime—even if they're about to fall asleep mid-sentence.

How to Help: Make small tweaks to your child's bedtime routine. You should still stick to the basics—a bath, a story, some cuddling, then lights-out—but let them make small decisions along the way, suggests Jill Spivack, co-creator of the book and DVD The Sleepeasy Solution. Your toddler may be less likely to balk at bedtime if they get to call a few of the shots.

Red or yellow pajamas? Three good-night kisses or four? If your toddler cries when you leave their room, explain that it's time to sleep and say that you'll be back to check on them when they're calm, says Brett Kuhn, PhD, a licensed psychologist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Children's Sleep Center, in Omaha.

Return, as promised, but don't stick around. Or try mom Gina Beltrami's clever sleep strategy: After she tucked in her toddler, Sonny, she set a timer for five minutes. With no crib bars to stop them, toddlers often like to savor their newfound freedom by taking 3 a.

How to Help: Carry your midnight wanderer back to their room every time they bust into yours. If you let them crash with you, you're setting the stage for a never-ending bedtime battle. Consider hanging bells on your doorknob so you can hear your toddler coming; that way, you can walk them back to their room before they climb into your bed and make themselves comfy. Another way to avoid sleepless nights is to install a baby gate on your child's door.

Leave their bedroom door open so they don't feel alone. You know how badly you sleep when you've got a lot of worries on your mind. The same goes for your toddler, though they're panicking about monsters , not the mortgage.

How to Help: Respect your child's fears. Let them know you understand how scared they feel, but beware of making their anxiety worse.