Toddler Sleep Problems

Here are suggestions and information about toddler sleeping patterns and toddler sleep problems.

Build a regular bedtime routine everyone enjoys. For a toddler, this could include:

• Taking a bath
• Changing into pajamas
• Reading books together
• Sharing a song
• Or whatever works best for you and your toddler

SLEEP BY NIGHT, FEWER NAPS BY DAY

Set a regular sleep schedule. Establish a regular nap time and bedtime that allows your toddler to get all the sleep he or she needs. Restricting naps won’t help a toddler sleep better at night. Quite the opposite—it can lead to over-tiredness and more sleep problems.

Avoid naps late in the afternoon. Many toddlers become fussy or cry when they get tired, but others will rub their eyes, pull on their ears, or even stare off into space. Put your baby down for bedtime or a nap when your baby first lets you know he or she is tired.

Give your toddler soothing surroundings. Keep the bedroom dark, cool and quiet. A night-light is fine. A television isn’t. And make sure the environment is the same at bedtime—lighting, for example—as it will be throughout the night.

Put your child to bed drowsy but awake. This may teach your toddler to fall asleep, as well as to go back to sleep in the night on his or her own. This routine can help avoid major toddler sleep problems later on. Whatever routine you have established at bedtime will need to occur again if your child wakes in the middle of the night. So create a routine that helps your child fall asleep on his or her own.

Set limits. If your child stalls at bedtime, set clear limits, such as how many books you will read or how many drinks of water you will allow.

Sleep and Toddlers (1-3 years)

Toddlers need about 12-14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. When they reach about 18 months of age their nap-times will decrease to once a day lasting about one to three hours. Naps should not occur too close to bedtime as they may delay sleep at night.

Toddler sleep problems include resisting going to bed and nighttime awakenings. Nighttime terrors and nightmares are also common.

Many factors can lead to toddler sleep problems. Toddlers’ drive for independence and an increase in their motor, cognitive and social abilities can interfere with sleep.

In addition, their ability to get out of bed, separation anxiety, the need for autonomy and the development of the child’s imagination can lead to toddler sleep problems. Daytime sleepiness and behavior problems may signal poor sleep or a toddler sleep problem.

Sleep Tips For Toddlers:

• Maintain a daily sleep schedule and consistent bedtime routine.
• Make the bedroom environment the same every night and throughout the night.
• Set limits that are consistent, communicated and enforced.
• Encourage use of a security object such as a blanket or stuffed animal.

There are two alternating types or states of sleep: Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) or “quiet” sleep. During the deep states of NREM sleep, blood supply to the muscles is increased, energy is restored, tissue growth and repair occur, and important hormones are released for growth and development.

Rapid Eye Movement (REM) or “active” sleep. During REM sleep, our brains are active and dreaming occurs. Our bodies become immobile, breathing and heart rates are irregular. Babies spend 50 percent of their time in each of these states and the sleep cycle is about 50 minutes. At about six months of age, REM sleep comprises about 30 percent of sleep. By the time children reach preschool age, the sleep cycle is about every 90 minutes.

About 69 percent of children 10 and under experience some type of sleep problem, according to the National Sleep Foundation’s (NSF) 2004 Sleep in America poll. Some of the most common are outlined below:

Insomnia is a common toddler sleep problem that occurs when a child complains of difficulty falling asleep, remaining asleep, and/or early morning awakenings. It can be short-term due to stress, pain, or a medical or psychiatric condition.

Treating underlying conditions, developing good sleep practices and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule can improve the ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Nightmares are frightening dreams that occur during REM sleep and awaken a child. They usually occur in the later part of the night. Most children have at least one nightmare during childhood; three percent of preschool and school aged children experience frequent nightmares, according to NSF’s 2004 Sleep in America poll.

They can be upsetting and a child will need reassurance when they occur. Nightmares can result from a scary event, stress, a difficult time or change in a child’s routine. Use of a nightlight or security object is often helpful.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a movement disorder that includes uncomfortable and unpleasant feelings (e.g. crawly tingly or itchy) in the legs causing an overwhelming urge to move. These feelings make it difficult to fall asleep. RLS can be treated with changes in bedtime routines, increased iron, and possibly medications.

Sleep talking occurs when the child talks, laughs or cries out in his/her sleep. As with sleep terrors, the child is unaware and has no memory of the incident the next day. There is usually no need to treat sleep talking.

Sleepwalking is experienced by as many as 40 percent of children, usually between ages three and seven. Sleepwalking usually occur an hour or two after sleep onset and may last five to 20 minutes. As sleep deprivation often contributes to sleepwalking, moving bedtime earlier can be helpful.

Night terrors occur early in the night. A child may scream out and be distressed, although s/he is not awake or aware during a sleep terror. Night terrors may be caused by not getting enough sleep, an irregular sleep schedule, stress, or sleeping in a new environment. Increasing sleep time will help reduce the likelihood of a night terrors.

Snoring occurs when there is a partial blockage in the airway that causes a noise due to the vibration of the back of the throat. About l0-12 percent of normal children habitually snore. Snoring can be caused by nasal congestion or enlarged adenoids or tonsils that block the airway. Some children who snore may have sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea – is another common toddler sleep problem. If your toddler snores loudly and the child is having difficulty breathing, it may be a sign of a more serious disorder, obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep caused by blocked airway passages, resulting in repeated awakenings.

• A newborn or infant is extremely and consistently fussy.
• A child is having problems breathing or breathing is noisy.
• A child snores, especially if snoring is loud.
• Unusual nighttime awakenings.
• Difficulty falling asleep and maintaining sleep, especially if you see daytime sleepiness and/or behavioral problems.

All living creatures need to sleep for health. Sleep is so important that it is the primary activity of the brain during early development.

Sleep is especially important for children as it directly impacts mental and physical development.

Toddler sleep problems can cause problems with other functions such as motor coordination,sensory and cognitive processing problems. Before assuming your child may have other developmental issues chart how much sleep your toddler is getting.

Toddler Sleep Problems and Solutions

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