Lauren from Little Sleep Stars shares her tips for helping your toddler sleep well
Your toddler might have settled into a more predictable pattern of night time sleep now. But periods of interrupted sleep and night waking are not unusual. If you’re finding your toddler’s night waking difficult, Lauren from Little Sleep Stars shares some things to think about.
Lauren says, for carers dealing with problematic night-waking, the first things to check are that:
* Your toddler’s schedule allows for plenty of physical activity, ideally outside in the natural daylight
* Your toddler’s schedule has opportunities for downtime and rest
* Bedtime is at an age-appropriate time
* You have a positive and predictable bedtime routine
Research tells us that a positive and consistent bedtime routine helps children to sleep well.[1] A 30-to-40-minute pre-bed routine, comprising the same steps, in the same order, at the same time each night enables a child to predict and get ready for sleep.
* The use of tech isn’t hindering sleep
Experts disagree about the physical impact of screen-use close to bedtime. There is sufficient evidence, however, to recommend that children should not have access to screened devices within their bedroom[2] and parents may find that in addition to restricting screen-time to within current guidelines for overall use,[3] avoiding screens in the last one-to-two hours of the day is helpful when it comes to achieving settled sleep.
* Boundaries around sleep are clear and consistently applied
So, what might Lauren’s advice mean for you and your toddler?
Lauren’s advice could help you to consider your toddler’s day and how this might help them sleep well at night (or not).
It can also help you think about your toddler and your family’s feelings about the evening. We all have our own approaches to sleep, but trying to be as consistent as possible with routines and boundaries around sleep will help your toddler.
For example, if you decide that you don’t want your toddler to sleep in your bed if they wake at night, take them back to their bed and help them to settle each time.
If you still feel concerned about your toddler’s night waking, then have a chat with a professional.
References:
[1] Mindell J. A & Williamson A. A (2018) Benefits of a bedtime routine in young children: Sleep development and beyond. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 40 p. 93-108.
[2] Helm A. F & Spencer R. M. C (2019) Television use and its effects on sleep in early childhood. Sleep Health, 5(3) p. 241-247.
[3] World Health Organization. (2019). Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age. World Health Organization.