What Are Some Reasons My Toddler Does Not Sleep Through the Night?

If you're a parent of toddlers, you know that they can be unpredictable. It is not unusual for a toddler to not sleep through the night every night. If your toddler is still in a crib, you may awaken to his cries for you in the middle of the night. If he has moved to a big-kid bed, you may hear the pitter patter of little feet down the hallway as your toddler finds you in your room. Though determining why a toddler isn't sleeping through the night may be difficult, there are usually some reasons.

  1. Vacations

    • Have you recently gone on vacation? A shift in a toddler's bedtime routine can shake up his sleeping patterns. If you just spent a week on vacation somewhere and your toddler got used to sleeping closer to you, he may be confused when you bring him home and may still want to be closer to you. Jodi Mendell, a pediatric sleep expert for BabyCenter, recommends sticking with your child's bedtime routine and be consistent to get him back on track.

    Illness

    • Maybe your child is just getting over an illness, or maybe he is just coming down with one. If you know your child has been ill, try to do what you can to make sure he is as comfortable as possible. He may need some extra love and reassurance from you. If you think your child may be coming down with something, check to make sure he is not running a fever. Provide comfort, but remain consistent in your bedtime routine.

    Teething

    • Teething can cause a lot of pain for toddlers, especially when the molars are starting to break through. If your pediatrician gives the go-ahead, offer your toddler the appropriate dose of Tylenol and let your child know he is OK. Still try to stick with his regular bedtime routine and know that once the molars break through, your toddler should return to his normal sleep habits.

    Reaching Developmental Milestones

    • Any time a toddler reaches a new milestone, sleep disturbances may occur. Has your child just started walking? Maybe he has suddenly gone from saying a few words to speaking in short sentences. Whatever new developmental milestone it is, may keep him awake at night. Those new abilities are exciting, and he may be eager to try them out. Just stick with your regular bedtime routine and, in time, your toddler should return to sleeping through the night.

    Daytime Routine Changes

    • If something has changed in your toddler's day-to-day life, he may be more prone to waking at night. Maybe the weather has change,d and your toddler is waking up cold. Mendell suggests evaluating what may have changed in your toddler's environment and provide a solution. If the temperature is dropping, dress your toddler in warmer pajamas. If you think noise is bothering him, try using a white-noise machine. Still stick to your toddler's regular bedtime routine.

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