Toddler sleep: in a nutshell

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Once asleep, most toddlers sleep through most nights without waking mum or dad. But, at this age, getting them to bed in the first place can be a challenge. Toddlers love to test their independence. A firm and consistent bedtime routine will win them over.

Toddler sleep schedule

A common daily sleep schedule looks like this:

Some toddlers like to wake up with the birds at 5.30 am or 6 am. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do about it. Putting her to bed later in the hope that she may wake later doesn’t tend to work. She may still wake up early and be grouchy from too little sleep. If you live with an early riser, you may want to move your bedtime forward too.

And if your toddler’s day nap is too long or too late in the day, she may not be ready for bed until late at night.

Bedtime routine

A consistent bedtime routine helps prepare a child for sleep. Most toddlers are ready for bed between 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm. This is a good time as they sleep deepest between 8 pm and midnight.

A routine might look something like this:

6.30 pm: Brush teeth and change nappy
6.45 pm: Quiet time (read a book or tell a story)
7 pm: Into bed and kiss goodnight

If your child takes a dummy to bed, you may consider saying goodbye to it at around three years old. For tips on how to do this, see Letting go of the dummy.

Getting up after bedtime

Your toddler may go through a stage of calling out from her bed or getting up after you have said goodnight. Try these tips:

• Avoid boisterous play before bedtime, as it may make it harder for her to settle.
• Establish a consistent, calming bedtime routine.
• Before leaving the room, check that your child has everything she needs and remind her to stay quietly in bed.
• Try not to respond to her calls after you have turned the light out, no matter how loud the protests. If you respond, she will try the same thing again next bedtime.
• If she gets out of bed, you can:
  • return her to bed firmly and quietly over and over until she doesn’t get up again or
  • return her to bed once and, if she gets up again, close her door and ignore all further protests. 
  Find the strategy that works for you and stick with it. Read more about using these strategies in Calling out and getting out of bed.

If your toddler shares her bedroom with a brother or sister, you may need to delay your other child’s bedtime by half an hour until your toddler is settled and asleep. With luck, your toddler will very quickly get the message that bedtime is for sleeping, and the disruption to all will be minimal.

In calling out, your child may actually need something. If she has done a poo, change her nappy with the lights dim and no talking. If she is scared of a monster under her bed, a quick check by you (with the light off) can confirm the room is monster-free and your toddler may then settle. If she is scared of the dark, think about using a night-light.

Moving to a ‘big bed’

Most children move from a cot to a bed somewhere between two and three-and-a-half years old. But there is no hurry, particularly as some young toddlers become trickier to manage in a bed. Of course, you may need to move her if she has started climbing out of the cot or needs to use the potty at night, or if you need the cot for a new baby.

Moving to a ‘big bed’ is a cause for celebration. You may want to redecorate her room at the same time (with her input naturally!) and involve her in choosing a bed. A safety rail on the side will stop falls.

For more tips on making a successful move, read Moving to a ‘big bed'.

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  Newsletter snippet: Toddler sleep: in a nutshell
  

   

  By Raising Children Network 

  Your toddler needs 10-12 hours sleep a night, and perhaps 1-2 hours in the middle of the day.
  
  She might be sleeping through the night now, but getting her to bed can be a challenge. Having a consistent bedtime routine should help.
  
  Common sleep schedule

  • Wake at 7 am.
  • Afternoon nap 1-3 pm.
  • Bedtime at 7 pm.

  Bedtime tips

  • Avoid boisterous play before bedtime.
  • Check that your child has everything she needs before you say goodnight.
  • If your toddler gets out of bed, either return her to bed firmly and quietly over and over, or return her to bed just once, close the door and ignore all further protests. Stick with the strategy that works for you.
  • If she is scared of the dark, try a night light.

  This article is an extract only. For more information, visit raisingchildren.net.au/sleep/toddlers_sleep.html.

  Sourced from the Raising Children Network's comprehensive and quality-assured Australian parenting website www.raisingchildren.net.au.