{"id":1656,"date":"2020-05-02T12:33:03","date_gmt":"2020-05-02T12:33:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.neurologysleepcentre.com\/blog\/?p=1656"},"modified":"2021-05-08T08:31:26","modified_gmt":"2021-05-08T08:31:26","slug":"sleep-issues-in-toddlers-and-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neurologysleepcentre.com\/blog\/sleep-issues-in-toddlers-and-solutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Sleep Issues in Toddlers and Solutions."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Common Sleep Issues in Toddlers<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

&<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their Solutions<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toddlers\n(children between the age of 1-3) will face some difficulties going to sleep,\nsince this is a phase in their lives where naptime decreases, playtime\nincreases and so does their separation anxiety. This often takes a toll on both\nthe toddler and the parent leading to meltdowns and often ends up with the\nparent giving up and letting child fall asleep later than they should or in\nfront of the television. Understanding your child\u2019s behavior is key to finding\na solution to their sleep issues. Here are some common sleep problems that\ntoddlers face and how parents can help combat them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                      \n  According to Stanford Sleep\nMedicine Center, \u201cBehavior\nmodification plans may address some sleep issues\u2026Using scheduled awakenings,\npositive reinforcement, and other techniques may be helpful in some cases of\nsleep disorders\u201d. <\/em>Toddlers\nneed 11-13 hours of sleep every day, here are some common problems you may run\ninto while getting your toddler to sleep: –<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Nightly\ntantrums-<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Toddlers\nmight have meltdowns when told to go to sleep, this indicates that they do not\nwant the day to end and want to spend more time playing around with their\nparents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • Not\nwanting to stay in bed- <\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Toddlers\ninitially have a tough time staying in bed due to which they tend to cry out\nfor their parents or try to step out of their crib\/ bed. This can be hazardous\nfor them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      • Taking\nforever to fall asleep-<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        This\ncan occur in toddlers due to too many naps or a lack of a sleep schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        • Nightmares-<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Between\nthe age of 2-3, toddlers start to develop an imagination which can cause them\nto make up monsters under their bed, thus, nightmares are common in toddlers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          • Tendency\nto wake up at inconsistent times-<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Toddlers\nmay tend to wake up at midnight or really early in the morning. This occurs\nbecause as soon as they complete a sleep cycle, they might wake up to find\nthemselves alone. They cannot go back to sleep by themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            • Trouble\ntaking naps-<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              Toddlers\nbetween the ages of 12-18 months may have some pushback to napping, this is a\nsign that they\u2019re ready to cut down their naptime to one nap every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Thus,\nwe all can say that putting your toddler to bed isn\u2019t an easy road but these\nsolutions could help fix the problem. Solutions to these problems are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              1. Establish\na bedtime routine:<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                This means being consistent\nwith nap timings and establishing a \u2018wind down routine\u2019. This \u2018wind down\nroutine\u2019 may include warm baths, massage, brushing their teeth then play some\nsoft music while placing them in their bed\/cot. This will help your toddler be relaxed\nenough for bedtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                • Food\nbefore bedtime:<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                   Avoid giving sweets to your toddler post\nevening, as this causes them to be hyper active in the night. If your toddler\ncomplains that they’re hungry at night, try giving them a bowl of cereal and\nmilk before bed (make sure you brush their teeth afterwards).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  • Dealing\nwith Nightmares: <\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                    Nightmares are fairly common\nin toddlers. The best way to deal with this by comforting and reassuring them.\nAs soon as they relax, wish them goodnight and encourage them to go back to bed\nagain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    • The\npositive conditioning method:<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                      This technique can help toddlers (over 12 months) or\nolder children get used to going to sleep without you in the room. It can also\nbe used whenever your child wakes in the middle of the night. Be prepared for\nyour child to take a long time to settle when you first start. You can use\nstrokes or pats instead of kisses if your child sleeps in a cot and you cannot\nreach them to give them a kiss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      • Put\nyour child to bed when they’re drowsy but awake, then kiss them goodnight.<\/li>
                      • Promise\nto go back in a few moments to give them another kiss.<\/li>
                      • Return\nalmost immediately to give a kiss.<\/li>
                      • Take\na few steps to the door, then return immediately to give a kiss.<\/li>
                      • Promise\nto return in a few moments to give them another kiss.<\/li>
                      • Put\nsomething away or do something in the room then give them a kiss.<\/li>
                      • As\nlong as the child stays in bed, keep returning to give more kisses.<\/li>
                      • Do\nsomething outside their room and return to give kisses.<\/li>
                      • If\nthe child gets out of bed, say: “Back into bed and I’ll give you a\nkiss”.<\/li>
                      • Keep\ngoing back often to give kisses until they’re asleep.<\/li>
                      • Repeat\nevery time your child wakes during the night.<\/li><\/ul>\n
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