Toddlers experience frequent sleep interruption at night due to various reasons. It could be a normal part of the growing up process as even some healthy toddlers have this problem some times due to stressful events such as separation anxiety. However, toddlers with ill-health or poor sleep habits are more vulnerable to this problem than healthy toddlers. Teething, unless it is painful, has no direct relationship with night waking.
An important component of night waking is poor sleep habits. This includes irregular napping, inconsistent night time routine, hyper activity before sleeping and so on. Kids who have inconsistent sleep routine and irregular naps are sure to have disrupted sleep at night. Some toddlers are afraid of the darkness or nightmares and hence wake up. Similarly, any types of physical discomfort such as fever or stomach upset too can disrupt sleep. Kids who snore or breathe through the mouth at night also suffer from night waking.
Regular napping will ensure that the kids have enough sleep during the day. It enables the kids to sleep well at night, because it has been found that toddlers who have good naps during the day sleep well at night. Hence, a regular sleep schedule should ensure regular nap and early sleep for toddlers.
A consistent bed time routine seems to be the best method to enable the toddlers to sleep well and enjoy an uninterrupted sleep. It is better to go to bed early than late because an early bed schedule will give the kid more time to rest. The bedtime routine, such as bathing, dressing, and reading stories, should be a regular ritual that is followed every night without change. It should be arranged in such a way that the toddler falls asleep automatically at the end of the last calming ritual.
Additionally, help the kids go back to sleep by soothing them with lullabies, or rocking them for a few minutes avoiding too much body contacts. Try to leave them before they are fully asleep and return to check on them after a few minutes. Gradually increase the time gap until they stop waiting for your return. Kids have different personality and temperament. Hence, some may take longer time to return to sleep than other kids of the same age.
Posted on April 6th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Baby, Sleep, Toddler
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