How to Break Bad Sleep Cycles in Toddlers

A stuffed animal can help comfort your toddler during bedtime hours.

Bad sleep cycles in toddlers affect the entire family. When a toddler doesn't sleep through the night, the parents are bound to be sleep-deprived. Bad sleeping habits can be triggered by numerous factors, such as your child's diet, separation anxiety and an irregular sleep schedule. It's up to the parents to correct the irregular sleep cycle and to adjust their child's lifestyle so he gets between 12 and 14 hours of sleep per day.

Things You'll Need

• Sleeping bag
• Stickers

Instructions

1. Schedule nap time at the same time each day. Having one or more regular naps per day programs your toddler's body and gets him used to sleeping at certain times. It also means your toddler will get at least 12 hours of sleep per day, as recommended by the National Sleep Foundation.

2. Put your toddler to sleep at the same time each night and wake him up at the same time each morning. This programs your toddler's internal clock so eventually he automatically falls asleep and wakes up at the scheduled times.

3. Create a bedtime routine to help your toddler wind down for the night. Help brush his teeth, give him a bath, rub lotion on his body, put on his favorite pajamas and read him a story.

4. Allow your toddler to sleep in your room if he frequently wakes up in the middle of the night. Placing your toddler's bed in your room may keep separation anxiety at bay, so both you and your child can get the sleep you need. Place a sleeping bag in your room as an alternative. Allow your child to enter your room and sleep in the sleeping bag if he wakes up in the middle of the night. This way he won't have to wake you up.

5. Incorporate positive reinforcement if your toddler is 2 or 3 years of age and has trouble sleeping. Reward your child with a sticker for sleeping through the night. Knowing that he can get a reward for sleeping may motivate him to actually do it.

6. Provide plenty of physical activity so your child is tired and easily falls asleep during nap times and bedtime. Activities can include taking your child to the park or letting him ride his bike.

7. Avoid sugar and caffeine before bedtime because these make it hard to wind down. Sodas and chocolate may contain sugar and caffeine. Sugar from candy, cookies and fruit juices can also interfere with your child's sleep.

References

• National Sleep Foundation: How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?
• Happy News: Getting Toddlers to Sleep Through the Night
• Baby Center: How Do I Keep My Toddler in Bed All Night?
• Parents: Toddler Sleep Solutions