Toddler Sleeping Through the Night

Is your toddler sleeping through the night?

You really don't know what happened! Your pleasant baby, who has slept through the night since she was three months old, has now turned into a crying, nocturnal toddler! Where did you go wrong? Actually, it probably isn't anything that you did at all. Your baby is growing and changing. She is becoming more aware of her surroundings, and she is learning how to make things happen. As her independence grows, her will becomes stronger. If she isn't happy about something, she'll let you know it! A common problem that many parents face is getting their toddler to sleep through the night.

The are several different scenarios that may be played out in the homes of toddlers each night. Some babies go peacefully to bed, but then sometime later in the night, they awaken and howl aggressively until someone comes to their rescue. Then, they either snuggle back down into mom and dad's bed, or they allow themselves to be rocked back to sleep and placed back into the crib.

Another scenario involves the exhausting attempts to get baby to go to bed in the first place. Every time he is placed in his crib, he cries uncontrollably, that is until he is taken out of the crib again. This in and out pattern continues until baby and parent are completely worn out, and baby has been rocked to sleep.

Still another scenario might include a child who has learned how to climb out of her crib. She toddles happily into the living room or her parents' room, thrilled with her own accomplishment. Because she won't stay in her crib, and her parents are afraid she will hurt herself climbing out of it, her parents try putting her in a toddler bed. Wow! What freedom she has now!

Why has your baby decided that his bed is the last place on earth he wants to be? Some parents worry that their child is afraid of the dark or has nightmares. While this might be so, there is probably a much simpler reason. Your toddler has learned that if he creates a fuss, he doesn't have to stay alone in his room. He can be with you!

If he goes to sleep quite easily but awakens later in the night, he has forgotten how to settle himself back to sleep. Think about it. Do you sleep so sound that you never wake up during the night? If you do wake up, you know how to go back to sleep. Your child needs to be able to do the same thing on his own. If you are helping him go to sleep initially by rocking or nursing him, he hasn't learned how to comfort himself into a soothing slumber. When he awakes at night, he needs you to help him get back to sleep.

If you rock or nurse your child to sleep, but he awakens later in the night crying for you, you need to begin placing him in his bed while he is drowsy but still awake. You should create a bedtime ritual that might include a bath, a story, a song, and then bedtime. Of course he will protest loudly at first. You'll have to be consistent and firm. Tell him goodnight, and then walk out of the room. You can come back every few minutes, but don't pick him up from the crib. After a few nights, he should learn to settle down on his own.

If your child goes to sleep just fine, but then he awakens in the middle of the night, you'll have to stop yourself from rushing to his bedside. Once he has learned that he can make you come to him, he'll continue to do so. Although it might be difficult, you'll need to let him fuss until he goes back to sleep. Then, you can check on him. If you think you need to check on him before he goes to sleep, quietly do so, and then return to your room.

If your child has progressed to a toddler bed, but she doesn't stay there, you'll have to be a little more creative. Help your child prepare for her big move by letting her choose a cute pillow and/or comforter set to decorate her "big girl" bed. Take any favorite toys that she usually sleeps with, and arrange them on her new bed. Put her new bed in the same place that her crib was, and talk to her about how big she has gotten. If she continues to get out of her crib, lead her gently but firmly back to her bed and tell her she must stay there till the morning. Eventually, she should get the message.

Your toddler can sleep through the night. It will take patience and consistence, but eventually you and your toddler will enjoy a peaceful slumber once again.

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• Baby Sleeping Through the Night
• Baby Sleep Problems
• Co-Sleeping
• Toddler Behavior

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