How to Train Toddler to Put Self Back to Sleep During the Night

Toddlers who wake up during the middle of the night often get used to having a parent or caretaker help soothe them back to sleep. However, this can eventually develop into a pattern of being unable to fall back asleep on their own, which ends up robbing both the child and the adult of much needed rest. Teaching a toddler to fall back asleep on their own at night will result in more sleep for everyone.

Things You'll Need

  • Stuffed animal or blanket
  • Nightlight

Instructions

    • 1

      Establish a regular bedtime routine to help your toddler understand when it is time to sleep. Put the child to bed at the same time every night and follow a regular pattern prior to bed, such as having a bath, reading books and then being put to bed.

    • 2

      Provide a soothing setting for your toddler's bed, including a favorite lovey such as a stuffed animal or blanket that she finds comforting. Place a nightlight in the room so that the room will not seem scary when the child wakes during the night.

    • 3

      Be calm, soothing and brief when the toddler wakes up during the night. Tell the child that it is time to sleep, give them a kiss or a hug and then leave the room. Wait at least five minutes before returning. Tell the toddler again that it is time to sleep, give them a brief kiss or hug, and leave again.

    • 4

      Repeat, increasing the intervals you are gone by two minutes each time. In other words, wait five minutes, seven minutes, nine minutes and so forth until you reach 15 minutes. Then continue waiting 15 minutes before returning to the room. If you remain calm and consistent, the toddler will eventually fall back asleep.

    • 5

      Repeat nightly as needed until the toddler starts to fall asleep faster and cry less. It may take several nights of repeating this pattern, but most toddlers will begin to be able to self-soothe at night within a week.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • How to Transition Your Toddler From a Crib to a Bed
      Ease your child into the big kid bed by being consistent and planning for the big move. Things Youll Need Bed Rails - Children Bunk Beds Childrens Bedding Childrens Beds Instructions 1 Take it slow. If you are moving your todd
    • How Long Is Nap Time in Kindergarten?
      Many parents have fond memories of early school years. They think of kindergarten as a time of play and socialization and a time of napping. Today, kids rarely nap in kindergarten. Most public kindergarten schedules last the full day and offer little
    • Toddler Naptime Guide and Schedules
      As they grow, toddlers don’t need as much sleep as they used to, though they do still need to nap. Until around the 18-month-mark, most children log two to three solid hours of sleep during the day, split evenly between a morning nap and an aft