Infants under 6 months aren't expected to sleep through the night, but older babies and toddlers are developmentally capable of sleeping for longer periods of time. However, sleep problems are some of the most common issues parents have with their kids, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Understanding some common sleeping difficulties in babies and toddlers is the first step to getting a full night's rest.
Not Going to Sleep
Your child might not want to go to sleep at bedtime if she has an inconsistent bedtime or if she's agitated from watching television before sleep. Even if she feels sleepy, she's too busy playing to slow down. If your infant fights bedtime, adjust her sleep schedule so that she goes to sleep at the same time every night, and select relaxing activities such as a warm bath to relax her into sleep mode. If your toddler consistently fights bedtime, give her some control by letting her choose from some calming pre-sleep activities and allow her to dictate the order of her bedtime routine, according to the University of Michigan Health System. For example, she might choose a favorite book and a cuddle and relax without contesting when she has to go to sleep.
Not Staying Asleep
Your baby may wake up in the middle of the night because he's practicing a new skill such as crawling in his sleep, or he might begin to cry because he woke up and realized you weren't around. He should learn to soothe himself back to sleep. Otherwise, you'll be stuck with the nightly task of doing it for him, says BabyCenter.com. Let him cry for a few minutes and, if he continues, resist the urge to pick him up. Pat or rub his back until he settles down, then leave his crib for five minutes and repeat until he falls asleep, says KidsHealth. In time, he will realize he won't be picked up every time he cries, and he will learn to fall back to sleep on his own.
Nightmares and Night Terrors
Your toddler can't distinguish dreams from reality, so nightmares can be particularly unsettling, according to KidsHealth. Your toddler might be having a nightmare if she remains lying down during her dream, she frightens and awakens and she can remember details of the dream, says Toddlers Today. Nightmares are different from night terrors, which generally occur one to two hours after a child goes to sleep and cause a child to "act out" a dream with his eyes open by screaming and standing, kicking or hitting, says Toddlers Today. Toddlers generally have no recollection of night terrors. Using relaxing bedtime rituals can help reduce instances of nightmares and night terrors.
Getting Out of Bed
Your toddler might get out of bed any time he wants to play or cuddle, but you can curb this habit. After following your nightly bedtime routine, make sure he's used the potty and gotten a sip of water so he has no reason to get out of bed. The first time he gets out of his bed, lead him back, kiss and cuddle him and leave the room, says SuperNanny.co.uk. The next time, repeat but use a firmer voice and kiss and cuddle briefly. The third time and any time after that, use no words and make no eye contact when you lead him back, then tuck him in and leave. He will soon realize his efforts aren't paying off.
