How to get a toddler to sleep through the night

On average, toddlers need around 12 hours sleep a night, but it’s safe to say that most new parents don’t it is often hard getting them to hit the hay straight away and sleep through till morning. Waking up occasionally during the night is to be expected, but if it’s interrupting their routine then it may have damaging effects.   

Whether your toddler is crying, sleep walking or suffering with night terrors, there is light at the end of the tunnel. We’ve put together some top tips on how to get a toddler to sleep and more importantly, making sure they sleep through the night. 

How to get a toddler to sleep in the day, to help them sleep at night

When it comes to little ones, sleep really does beget sleep. Many new parents find that the later their toddler’s bedtimes get, the earlier they tend to wake up. It might not make sense to us, but by making sure that your child  has a good quality before 2pm usually means that they go down better of an evening, are less likely to wake in the night and more likely to sleep right through until 7am. But, similarly to evening bedtime, this isn’t always an easy feat. So, how can you help your toddler to sleep in the day, in order to help them sleep at night?

Letting your toddler sleep in the car, or on people’s knees might bseem convenient at the time, but it can actually have a detrimental affect when it comes to creating a healthy nap time routine. Instead, the perfect environment for a toddler to sleep is a quiet, dimly lit and cool room. If your child’s bed is too warm, they are more likely to fidget and squirm, increasing their heart rate therefore making it harder to fall asleep. Similarly, if there is too much light in the room their eyes may struggle to adjust, delaying sleepiness. Try to keep noise to a minimum during your toddler’s naptime, by closing doors and reducing trips upstairs. 

With that said, sometimes it’s just not practical to take your little one home to have a quick sleep, so creating a makeshift nap area is the only option. Bloomsbury Mill offer a range of adorable nap mats that are ideal for days out, sleepovers, camping, beach trips and garden fun – aswell as offering kids their own personal space for a little quiet time. These Nap Mats are great for making sure that important nap isn’t missed wherever the day takes you, and keeping a level of consistancy to your child’s routine. You can also keep them in their bed during the night time so the association is there when it is used for sleep in the day.

Helping your toddler to sleep at night

Limit screen time 

Just like adults, evening screen time can sabotage sleep. Not only will the artificial light prevent them from falling asleep in the first place, it can also cause them to wake up regularly and feel groggy in the morning. Introduce a ‘no tablet before bed’ rule, where devices like phones, computers and TVs are turned off an hour before bedtime. Instead, help them wind down by reading a soothing story, listening to relaxing music or practicing meditation. If you find your child is still wide awake after this period, you know they require a longer wind down time. 

Make their bedroom appealing

The more inviting you make your toddlers sleeping area, the more likely they are to want to spend time there. Decorate their room with cute animal prints interesting but soothing decorations, such as a hanging mobile, night light or toy of their choice. 

Invest in a memory foam pillow or mattress and good quality bedding, to give your toddlers bed a reall special feeling. Bloomsbury Mill offer a range of duvet covers that are made from a lightweight easy-care cotton blend which makes it easy to pop into the washing machine at 40 degrees and is super quick drying. It also requires very minimal ironing, and the duvets have poppers for speedy bed making which will help when it comes to potty training. You can even drop gentle scents like lavender or eucalyptus on their pillow, to help ease them into a soothing sleep. 

Tire them out 

Children often wake during the night because they’ve not burnt enough energy or have slept too much during the day. Establish a regular routine where they wake up early, nap once during the day and are in bed by around 7pm, to help form a healthy body clock. Make sure they get sufficient fresh air and exercise throughout the day, as a lack of vitamin D is known to make us feel lethargic. 

Be consistent 

Changing your approach regularly will only give your child mixed signals. Be patient when introducing new habits as it may takes days or even weeks until you see a breakthrough.

If your toddler stirs in the night, try to avoid rushing to their aid straight away. This will demonstrate that you are not on hand unless there is a genuine problem.  It’s worth bearing in mind that toddlers are heavy sleepers, so if they whimper momentarily it’s likely they will fall back to sleep if left. 

Taking steps to help ease your child’s night disruptions, will not only benefit them in the long run, it will give parents the well-needed time to relax and unwind.