Toddler Bedtime struggles
So you thought you’d managed to get through all of the challenges of sleep when your little one was an infant, but now you’ve found yourself with bedtime battles on your hands? Welcome to toddlerhood.
There are several reasons why toddlers refuse sleep (day and night) despite being obviously tired. These include: fear of the dark, separation anxiety which ebbs and flows throughout early childhood development, developmental changes, sleep needs changing as well as their desire to ‘push the boundaries’.
Not all toddlers will go through nap refusal and bedtime battles, but if you’re in the midst of it, here are some things to keep in mind:
The 18 month and 2-year sleep regressions: these are the two which affect toddlerhood and can seemingly come out of the blue. Typically, you may see nap refusal, an increase in night waking, and early morning rising (you may see all, or just one or two). The good news? They’re only temporary. Know that your child is going through significant developmental changes and support them through it.
Day time sleep affects nighttime sleep. This refers to not only the length of the day's sleep but the timing of it too. If you’ve noticed changes, it might be time to reassess your day structure.
Wind down routines: Toddlers absolutely THRIVE on having a predictable wind-down routine for naps and at night time. Keep it simple so that it can easily be replicated in other environments if necessary (such as trips away)