How to Stop Nighttime Crying in a Toddler

It's common for young children to wake up periodically throughout the night. If your toddler wakes up crying, you may have an issue that needs resolving, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Nighttime crying in a toddler probably means that your little one could use some guidance to reach the goal of independent sleeping. When normal sleep rhythms create momentary wakefulness, he may need a little help learning how to get back to sleep on his own.

Things You'll Need

  • Security object
  • White noise machine

Instructions

    • 1

      Check your toddler̵7;s sleep environment (his bedroom) to ensure that no disruptions are occurring, advises physician Wendy Sue Swanson on the Seattle Children̵7;s Hospital website. If noises in your child̵7;s room are bothering him, such as a television or another sibling, make adjustments to the room and/or sleeping arrangements to create a more peaceful sleep environment. You might also try using a white noise machine to drown out bothersome noises. Ensure that the sleeping temperature in your child̵7;s room falls between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for the most restful temperature.

    • 2

      Provide your toddler with a security object for sleeping. This stuffed animal or snugly blanket can provide a comforting presence for your child when he wakes in the night and has to fall back to sleep by himself.

    • 3

      Adjust the sleep routine with your toddler at bedtime and nap time to resolve nighttime crying, advises the Children̵7;s Physician Network website. Create a calming and loving routine that involves positive rituals such as bathing, reading stories, snuggling and then tucking your toddler in bed with his security object while he's still awake. The nap time routine may be similar but not quite so lengthy. Your toddler may cry at first, but you can return every five to 15 minutes to reassure him, always leaving him in his bed or crib while comforting him. Continue to reassure your toddler until he falls asleep.

    • 4

      Wait for a brief period after your toddler awakens during the night to see if she returns to sleep without assistance. If she is still crying after about five to 10 minutes, go to her room to comfort her.

    • 5

      Hold your toddler to help her fall back asleep. Holding her during nighttime crying to assist in falling back to sleep is acceptable only during the time when you are sleep-training your child. Put your toddler back to bed after she falls back asleep.

    • 6

      Tell your toddler to lie down and go back to sleep in the middle of the night when he cries, after he learns how to self-soothe and get himself back to sleep independently. You may need to visit his bed every 10 or 15 minutes to reassure him, but remain firm with your expectations for self-soothing. After a few nights, your little one should sleep more soundly and have the skills necessary to go back to sleep by himself when he wakes at night.

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