15 sleep tips for toddlers who wake in the night
So your toddler is no longer a wee baby who wakes for feeds in the night? Yippee! That means you are all ‘sleeping through’ now, right? Well, not necessarily.
A whopping 41 percent of tots aged under three still wake during the night, so you are definitely not alone if your little one is waking regularly. But don’t despair – you can try these ideas and fingers crossed they’ll help your toddler to sleep all night long.
Offer limited help
If they won’t settle on their own, help them a little. Your toddler will demand being picked up, cuddled or rocked every time they wake if this is how they know to get back to sleep. Try weaning them off this by offering limited help. So for instance, pat them on the bottom, so they know you’re there for them and then when they’re calm, but not quite asleep, leave the room. Then, if they still cry out for you, delay the time you return.
This gentle approach to sleep training will help them learn that they don’t need you to settle back to sleep.
Need some more toddler sleep advice? Our Parent School sleep experts can help. Click to find out more or book a one-on-one session.