What We’ll Cover:
Sleep Problem #1: Late bedtime
Sleep problem #2: The 2 year sleep regression
Sleep Problem #3: Separation anxiety
Sleep problem #4: Nightmares and night terrors
Sleep Problem #5: Climbing out of the crib / coming into parents’ bed
Sleep Problem #7: Night wakings
Sleep Problem #8: Waking too early in the morning
At 2 years old, your toddler is working on several developmental milestones. She’s perfecting her motor skills, like running and jumping. She’s learning new words everyday, and she’s becoming more independent by the minute. So many big changes!
In a time filled with such advancement, you may find that your 2 year old is also struggling with sleep problems. When children advance in one area, like physical development, they often regress temporarily in another area, like sleep. It’s perfectly normal.
Also, sleep needs and patterns change around the 2 year mark. We often have to tweak our toddler’s sleep schedule around her second birthday.
Common sleep problems for 2 year olds are resisting bedtime, waking at night, wanting to sleep in their parent’s bed and fighting naps. In this article I guide you through these common sleep struggles, what causes them and how to fix them.
This post may contain affiliate links.
2 Year Old Sleep Problems (& Solutions!)
Sleep Problem #1: Late bedtime
One thing that prevents toddlers from sleeping through the night is a late bedtime. Late or inconsistent bedtimes make your toddler sleep worse, not better.
Your 2 year old may be fighting bedtime because his nap was too long or because he’s simply testing his limits (totally normal toddler behavior.)
The ideal bedtime for your 2 year old is between 6:30-8 pm. Please note that bedtime should not range by 1.5 hours every night, instead, you should try to keep it within a 20 minute range.
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Cause #1: Long (or late) nap
A long nap (or late nap) can make your 2 year old fight bedtime. He’s not tired enough to fall asleep! Make sure your toddler’s nap time falls right in the middle of his day. Plus, at 2 years old, I recommend limiting naps.
Limit your toddler’s naps to:
2 years → 2 hrs
2.5 years → 1.5 hrs
3 years → 1 hr
*This is the combined total hours of all naps
Many moms cringe when I suggest limiting naps. I get it! You treasure your 3 hours of uninterrupted downtime. It’s definitely a trade off. If you want your toddler to keep an early bedtime, limit his naps. You can also choose to keep a long nap and push bedtime later.
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Cause #2: “Normal” 2 year old resistance
As your 2 year old becomes more independent, she’ll want to test her boundaries. She’s figuring out how much she can get away with! It’s normal toddler behavior to push the limits and “question” why she always has to go to bed at the same time each evening.
A great way to combat this is to have a firm ending to your bedtime routine. Pick a “point” like a certain song or a specific book that will signify the end of your bedtime routine. For example, you could sing ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ at the end of your bedtime routine each night. You sing it twice each night, and after that, the lights go out and your little one goes to sleep. You never deviate from this by giving in to demands to read another book or sing another song.
A bedtime routine checklist can help your toddler visualize and better understand her routine. (see some popular bedtime charts below). Hang one on your toddler’s bedroom wall and go through the same steps every evening. Point to each activity as you do it and say, “Look, we’re putting on pajamas and next we’ll read a book.” This builds consistency into your routine and helps your toddler accept it more easily. Once you reach the final step, your little one will know that it’s time to fall asleep.
Popular bedtime charts
Click to order on
Good Night, Sleep Tight Reward Chart
Sleep problem #2: The 2 year sleep regression
There’s good news with this regression. It’s the last one and it’s often shorter and less intense than the others! It’s possible to get past it quickly and go back to sleeping well (find out more on sleep regressions here).
Signs of the 2 year sleep regression
→ Fights bedtime and/or naps out of the blue
→ Wakes more at night without any apparent cause
→ Nightmares
→ Clinginess, fussiness during day or night
What you can do:
If your 2 year old was sleeping like a champ before this regression hit, then do your best to stay consistent. Keep up with your familiar sleep routines and timing. Your toddler may need extra comfort or support, but try not to deviate from your typical sleep routines too much. This will help your toddler go right back to sleeping well once the regression passes.
Specifically focus on keeping your child falling asleep on his own at bedtime and during the night. If you start rocking him or bringing him to your bed, he’ll plan on you continuing this after the regression passes.
Also, my free ‘Sleep Regression Survival Guide’ explains exactly what to do to help your toddler sleep well during a regression. It has proven tips that help sleep regressions pass as quickly as possible. It also explains the best ways to ease your toddler’s separation anxiety.
If your 2 year old wasn’t sleeping well before the regression, there’s no better time to begin learning healthy sleep habits.
If you’re the type of parent that likes step-by-step guides and specific details on how to get your toddler easily sleeping through the night, check out my safe and science-backed sleep program for toddlers Big Kid Sleep Made Simple.
RELATED: How to Sleep Train Your 2 Year Old
Sleep Problem #3: Separation anxiety
Separation anxiety peaks around 18 months, but it can resurface around the 2 year mark. If your little one is going through big changes like switching daycares, welcoming a new sibling or potty training, separation anxiety can increase. In times of change, your toddler’s sleep may suffer and she’ll look to you for comfort and stability.
What you can do:
Separation anxiety makes your 2 year old unsettled when you’re not around. It’s a normal phase of development, and not necessarily a sign that something is wrong. The intensity varies from child to child.
The best thing you can do to ease your 2 year old’s separation anxiety is to follow the tips in my Sleep Regression Survival Guide. It’s got all the tips on how to handle regressions, but also very detailed tips on how to handle toddler separation anxiety. Download it here, it’s completely free!
My new Big Kid Sleep Made Simple program addresses how to handle separation anxiety, among other issues that could be causing your toddler’s sleep disruptions. It’s filled with step-by-step guides and information that are gentle and effective. Check it out!
Sleep problem #4: Nightmares and night terrors
Nightmares, or bad dreams, make your toddler wake in the night crying and scared. It’s normal for 2 year olds to have bad dreams, but there are also things you can do to reduce their frequency.
Nightmares are caused by overtiredness, a growing imagination, certain books and videos, or recalling a scary event from the day like an encounter with a big dog.
It’s possible to wake your child from a nightmare, give him comfort and explain that it’s not real and he’s safe.
Night terrors are different. During night terrors, it’s impossible to wake your little one. You just have to sit next to him and wait it out. Most children don’t remember them, though. Night terrors are caused by chronic overtiredness, stress and anxiety, sickness or jet lag.
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What you can do:
Always make sure your toddler feels safe in his bedroom. Remove any objects that he might be scared of, like older brother’s toys, posters on the wall or stuffed animals. Offering a lovey also helps him feel safe and comforted.
Do an inventory of your 2 year old’s books, videos and stories being told to him by an older sibling or cousin. Maybe there’s a character or a situation that makes him feel afraid or insecure. For many toddlers, it’s too early to cope with “bad” characters or sad situations. Encourage books and cartoons that are simple and happy. (Peppa Pig is a favorite of mine!)
Have a discussion to find out if something is scaring your little one or making him feel uncomfortable. Talk it through so you can better understand. And always remind your toddler that he’s safe and mommy is always nearby.
Sleep Problem #5: Climbing out of the crib / coming into parents’ bed
Some 2 year olds climb out of the crib, wander around the house, play with their toys or crawl into bed with you. It’s a lot easier for toddlers to leave beds that don’t have boundaries, so I recommend you keep your toddler in the crib until 3-4 years old, if possible. Only transition to a toddler bed if your little one repeatedly climbs out of the crib every night (this becomes a safety risk.)
If your 2 year old ditched the crib a while ago, don’t lose hope! It’s 100% possible to keep your little one in his toddler bed all night. This article explains what to do.
Sleep Problem #6: Snoring
If your 2 year old snores occasionally, especially when she’s sick, this can be normal. But if snoring is a regular occurrence and your toddler seems tired during the day it could be a sign of a bigger problem and I recommend you tell your child’s pediatrician.
Sleep Problem #7: Night wakings
Constant night wakings are exhausting! While night wakings can be expected for babies who need to feed during the night, your 2 year old can be expected to sleep 11-12 hours straight at night.
If your toddler is a good sleeper who’s recently started waking in the night, it’s probably due to one (or more) of the above sleep problems. Following my advice should get their sleep back on track.
But if your2 year-old has never been a good sleeper, it’s time to do something about it. You can teach your toddler to settle himself to sleep and sleep through the night in his own bed. It’s never too late!
The better a child rests during the night, the more happy and adaptable they are during the day. Same goes for us parents too, right? How terrible is your next day, after you’ve had a bad night’s sleep? Solid sleep helps us all feel better.
If you’re ready for your 2 year old to sleep better, join my loving and effective toddler sleep program here. It shows you how to get your toddler happily falling asleep on their own and sleeping all night in their own bed! Magic!
Sleep Problem #8: Waking too early in the morning
A common sleep issue for 2 year olds is waking at 5 am, EVERY morning. No amount of coffee can make waking at 5 am ok. I know, I’ve been there!
There are several reasons why your 2 year old is waking up early in the morning. These reasons can include:
- Naps are too long (see section 1 above for nap recommendations)
- Bedtime is too late (6:30-8 pm is the ideal bedtime range for toddlers.)
- Your toddler needs your help to fall asleep (The BEST way to get your 2 year old sleeping later in the morning is to have him fall asleep on his own at bedtime. Hands down.)
No matter the cause of your 2 year old waking too early, there’s always a solution. This article explains how you can break the early waking cycle and get your toddler sleeping past sunrise everyday.
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So there you have it. The seven main sleep problems that 2 year olds struggle with. Remember, there’s always hope to get your little one sleeping well. It’s never too late! Whether your toddler is going through a sleep regression, separation anxiety, learning to test limits or needs a tweak in his sleep routine- this article walks you through what to do. Good luck!
Got a question about your 2 year old’s sleep? Ask me in the comments below.
our son is 28 months old and recently we have reduced his nap to 50-60 min a day ( 13-14 the latest). however it seems like he is not able to fall asleep until 21-22. we have a set routine since he was a baby and it eas always working perfectly. we are taking him to bed around 20 but after a while is is starting to call us and demanding to go to our bed. he is not able to fall asleep with us either so we are ending up taking him back frustrated.in the morning he does not want to get up when im waking him up to the nursery at 7.30am.
do you think he doesn’t need his naps anymore?
Hi Ewa,
Sorry your little guy struggles to fall asleep before 9-10. Endless bedtime requests are very common at this age, I assure you! Co-sleeping as well.
I don’t think this is related to his naps at all. At Baby Sleep Made Simple, we view sleep holistically, and I think there might be other things going on (as there often are at this age). I highly recommend you join our Bid Kid sleep program here:
https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/big-kid-sleep-training
The program will help you keep the nap, get him falling asleep peacefully and earlier, and stay asleep in his bed all night. People who join this course almost always report that this feels like an impossible outcome, only to have these results a few weeks later. We would love for you to be one of those moms, too!
The program is 20% off for a limited time only, so hurry up and join! We’ll see you on the other side and help you reach your dream goals in regards to your son’s sleep.
Artemis, BSMS Support Team
My two year old is experiencing many of the issues in the article, separation anxiety, waking early, disrupted routine and expecting a new sibling. We’re now in the habit of holding his hand or just staying in the room while he falls asleep, he’s stopped waking in the night but it waking early and resisting naps without this process which is taking a toll. How do I break the habit and leave the room straight away again? He used to be happy with this and fall asleep independently but he stands up and screams in his cot if I do this now. Please help!
Hello Kim,
Thank you so much for your message! It sounds like your little one just has A LOT going on. I remember being in your shoes too! My daughter was also 2 and going through a regression while I was 8 months pregnant. I would definitely love to help you improve your little one’s sleep. The next best step would be to book a private consultation. We will discussing everything from food, environment, naps, bedtime routine, and create a plan to get your LO falling asleep independently again. I am including the information below for you to check it out if you are interested. I hope I get the opportunity to help your family!
https://programs.babysleepmadesimple.com/30-minutes-private-consultation-checkout/
Best,
Alyssa, BSMS Support Team
My little girl will be two at the end of the month and, so it goes, my last child and the one who sleeps the worst at night!
I tell myself that I love her 24/7, and I also do not like her very much between 2100-0900 because of her constant night waking! Since she was 9-10 months old the night-waking has been continuous. Sure, there have been stretches where she has slept through the night, just not many.
We have tried everything from limiting screen time, no naps after a certain time, don’t let her sleep past a certain time. No nap, short nap, long nap, early nap, late nap, any combination of the four. No screen time past 1800, a pre-bed snack, voluntarily sleeping in her room, her sleeping with us for part of the night or the whole night. I’ve camped on the couch with her numerous nights and she still wakes up.
I’m just at my wit’s end because I’m the one who gets up with her, my wife does not. Please, any guidance or wisdom? Help a dad out!
Hello Thomas,
It can be exhausting when our LO’s aren’t sleeping and we have to be up with them all night long!
We can definitely help you get your LO’s sleep on track and get your entire family sleeping better! We can provide the best support to your family in our 21 Days to Peace & Quiet program.
In this program we offer 4 step-by-step sleep training methods. You choose the one that feels best for your LO. We have super gentle & gradual all the way to quick & efficient. Each step of the way you get advice based on your baby’s developmental stage, energy levels, and temperament.
Two of our package options include personalized support and I find this to be so beneficial during the sleep training journey! Jilly and members of our support team answer questions 7 days a week in our private FB group and we host 3 Zoom calls per week! You will always feel like you have the support you need every step of the way.
You can find out more info on the program here: https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/21-days-to-peace-quiet-program
When you are 100% consistent in following the steps of the program, your baby will be sleeping amazingly within 1-3 weeks. It depends on the method you choose as well as your baby’s adaptability, but we cover all of this in the program!
Happy to answer any questions you have. We hope we get the chance to help you and your LO on this sleep journey!
Have a great day!
Alyssa, BSMS Support Team
Hi there!
We have recently moved our 2 year old (turned 2 in April) to a toddler bed. At first and most nights I noticed that she had been sleeping well through the night. Recently in the past couple of weeks she is waking between 1-3 AM and cries for me to rock her back to sleep. Then she wakes up at 5 AM and won’t go back to sleep. She has had the same bedtime routine for as long as I can remember and we moved her because no sleep sack or other measure kept her in bed. She always climbed out. She also slept really well in the toddler bed at first. I’m not sure if this is a regression because I know she is talking a lot more lately. I’m not sure if I should try a night light and encourage her to go back to bed on her own or go in and rock her hoping that it will go back to normal. She stayed at her grandparents this weekend and slept in a pack n play because that’s all they have and she slept all night. Could it be we moved her too soon? Or could this be a sleep regression. I’m not sure what to do. Maybe we just stick with it? We also want to start potty training because she’s ready so I don’t want to keep her in a crib.
I’m really not sure what the issue is but she wakes once per night and then wakes too early!
Hello Taylor,
There is a regression around 2 years of age, but I think your LO is past that. Was she climbing out of her crib? If not, I definitely recommend keeping her in the crib until closer to 3. It’ll be a much easier transition when your LO is older. If she has been climbing out multiple times, then a toddler bed is the safest choice.
That toddler bed transition can be challenging but your LO WILL figure it out! It gets better as they get older since your LO is still on the younger side. Check out these resources for helpful tips 🙂
https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/how-to-transition-toddler-from-crib-to-bed
https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/toddler-getting-out-of-bed-repeatedly-2
Best,
Alyssa, BSMS Support Team
Hi Jilly,
My daughter is 2 and 4 months old. My daughter sleeping time is around 7pm. She wakes up at 10pm and doesn’t want to go back to sleep until 2-3 am. This has been going for more than a week now. Any ideas will be much appreciated.
Hello Meliza,
Our 2 year old sleep guide is the best place to start! Is your LO falling asleep independently? This can really solve most night wakings!
We can definitely help you get your LO’s sleep on track and get your entire family sleeping better! We can provide the best support to your family in our 21 Days to Peace & Quiet program.
In this program we offer 4 step-by-step sleep training methods. You choose the one that feels best for your LO. We have super gentle & gradual all the way to quick & efficient. Each step of the way you get advice based on your baby’s developmental stage, energy levels, and temperament.
Two of our package options include personalized support and I find this to be so beneficial during the sleep training journey! Jilly and members of our support team answer questions 7 days a week in our private FB group and we host 3 Zoom calls per week! You will always feel like you have the support you need every step of the way.
You can find out more info on the program here: https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/21-days-to-peace-quiet-program
When you are 100% consistent in following the steps of the program, your baby will be sleeping amazingly within 1-3 weeks. It depends on the method you choose as well as your baby’s adaptability, but we cover all of this in the program!
Happy to answer any questions you have. We hope we get the chance to help you and your LO on this sleep journey!
Have a great day!
Alyssa, BSMS Support Team
Hi!
Our son has really bad separation anxiety. Is It ok To sleep on his room during this season?
He goes To sleep alone and doesnt need any help To fall asleep.
During night he cries and screams mom alot and falling back To sleep is really Hard.
Hello Aliisa,
Thank you so much for your message! Separation anxiety can be super tough. It is totally okay to help comfort your LO during this time. Just keep in mind that a habit can develop from this though that will have to be broken in the future. The best thing you can do for separation anxiety is to spend A LOT of quality time before bed with lots of direct eye contact at this stage. It can really help calm your LO and feel the connection before bed! 🙂
Best, Alyssa, BSMS Support Team
Hi Jilly,
my son will be 2 in a couple of weeks. He is an early riser (5 am), but lately he wakes up even earlier (4 am) and often 3 am, when he is so hyper that he cannot fall back asleep by himself (same as 4 am when I tried to calm him down with hand on the chest in his crib and humming, which still does not work.)
He naps at daycare for 1h45 until 2:30 pm and we try to make him fall asleep around 7 am, but have to drive him in the car every night for 30 to 45 minutes until he is able to wind down and fall asleep. He never shows signs of tiredness or drowsiness and is just very active (without me encouraging him) the last 2 hours before bedtime. It is really hard for me to lock him up inside and not allow him to play with the other kids outside when we come home at 4:30 pm. Also, serving dinner before 6 pm is very challenging.
Are the 9h45 min (including the nap) enough sleep for his age? Is he just a very energized kid that does not need a lot of seep?
Mahalo for your answer!
Juliane
Hello Juliane, I would encourage you to join our sleep training program 21 Days to Peace and Quiet. It’ll help you teach your toddler how to fall asleep independently and this will solve also early wakings (plus you’ll get to enjoy your evenings and not drive around to help him relax).
The program has 4 step-by-step methods that walk you through teaching your baby how to settle to sleep on their own, which will show them how to resettle during night wakings too. It also covers reducing and fully weaning off night feeds.
With 3 of the methods you stay with your baby as you teach them to sleep better. You don’t have to leave the room if you don’t want to. And you can choose a slower, more gradual method to reduce your baby’s resistance, fussing and crying. We can’t promise “no tears” but you can work to minimize baby’s resistance.
We also accommodate for your baby’s temperament too. Each lesson has tips on tweaking the steps to suit your baby’s energy levels, sensitivity and adaptability.
I’m confident we can get you and your baby sleeping great.
Happy to answer any other questions you have about the program.
https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/21-days-to-peace-quiet-program/
Micaela BSMS Support Team
Our son wakes up At night and trows his lovey To get us To go To him. We trained him as a baby using checking In method mut he has never been good sleeper. What we can do about the lovey?
Hi Aliisa, with a 2y old it’s all about communications. Explain to him that nighttime is meant for sleep and that also mom and dad need to rest to have all the energies to play with him the next day. Tell him that the lovey is tired too and just wants to sleep with him in his crib. Try to spend some extra 1-on-1 time with him before bedtime so he won’t need your presence during the night 😉
Micaela BSMS Support Team
Hi Jilly,
We are struggling with early morning wakings with our two year old son. He’s a great napper and usually naps 2 hrs (sometimes we let him nap 2.5 but we can shave off the half hour). We struggle with figuring out the best bedtime for him because it seems no matter what time we lay him down in his crib he will roll around in there for 30 min – 1 hour, sometimes longer! It’s so frustrating because we just want him to fall asleep. Usually if nap ends early we lay him down around 7 or if he wakes around 2:30 pm from nap we lay him down around 7:30. Do you have any advice for us to help him fall asleep faster and hopefully sleep longer?
Thanks!
Hello Alexa,
For a 2 year old, definitely limit naps to 2 hours and have a really solid bedtime so his body clock is tune (consistency will really help). Limit all screen time for 2-3 hours before bed AND make sure to limit sugars before bed. Try to keep fruits and yogurts for during the day and not during supper. Make sure he is very physically active. I would aim for 5.5/6 hours of awake time before bed. It is normal for some kiddos to need at least 15-20 minutes to fall asleep (my daughter actually needs 30 minutes too), but try these tips above to help!
Alyssa, BSMS Support team
Hi there! You have such great advice here! Being sleep deprived is so hard and we’re struggling to find a solution for our almost 3 year old!
She was the most amazing sleeper in her crib, we’d plop her down around 7:30 leave promptly and she’d sleep until 7! In January she started climbing out of her crib so we immediately made the crib into a convertible, which in hindsight was an awful mistake. But we were so worried about her getting injured. Now she climbs out of her crib at 4:30 every morning even with a 1.5 hour nap, lots of daytime play and a structured bedtime routine starting at 7:15. She also won’t sleep unless you stay in the room with her(another mistake!) any help would be greatly greatly appreciated at this point!!
Thanks!!
Hello Laura,
I would try a light system (like the Hatch) and train your LO that she needs to stay IN the crib until a certain light or sound comes on. This really helped my daughter when transitioning to a toddler bed. Also, check out these resources for helpful tips!
https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/how-to-transition-toddler-from-crib-to-bed
https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/toddler-getting-out-of-bed-repeatedly-2
Best,
Alyssa, BSMS Support team
My granddaughter is 2 & a half. Her dad works during the day and mom works until 1030 at night. Dad gets her down for bed about 830 but the moment she hears mom she’s up. And refuses to sleep. Keeping dad up also who has to be up for work at 630. Mom tries giving her tablet & phone. Which I’ve said keeps her stimulated and will keep her up. This has caused issues in their relationship because mom will come home relax & if my granddaughter gets up either him or I tend to her. We’ve discussed this with mom & she’ll do it at the start then stop again. We all work. Her dad is trying to keep her on a routine but mom lets her do whatever. Mom goes to bed around 3 am and so does child then sleeps until noon. I have raised plenty of children but it’s extremely hard to talk to mom without coming off as mean. Please help
Hello Tara,
Thank you for your message. It can be really tough when members of the family aren’t on the same page. The best thing in this case is to let Mom and Dad talk and discuss a positive routine. You are certainly try to provide some of our resources for Mom to read on her own (this way you are helping), but she can do it on her own terms. Best of luck–I am sure this is so difficult!!
Alyssa, BSMS Support Team
Hi, my daughter is reaching the 20 month mark.. she has never been a good sleeper, but when she was around 7 months we sleep trained her with the cry it out method and she self soothe upon night wakings and eventually got to a point of sleeping through. That didn’t last though.. as soon as she could stand in her crib she would refuse to lie back down and would eventually make herself sick from all the crying. We gave in. Fast forward to now, she no longer has her daytime naps – she was on 1 a day of around 2-2.5hrs but it became a battle to get her to sleep (45mins minimum) and then slowly she would refuse them until late afternoon, which would mess up her sleep time. Now at almost 20 months she doesn’t sleep at all in the day – is this normal? Her bedtime routine is better.. dinner, bath, massage and sleep usually by 8pm if not earlier. She still wakes in the night, most times she has milk.. usually around 6oz at intervals through the night and she’s never gone back to sleeping through until morning without waking up. She normally wakes up around 7.30 but this is now becoming earlier.. today it was 6.30am can you offer me any tips on how I can improve her sleeping habits? I worry she’s not getting enough hours of sleep in a 24hr period. Thank you.
Hello Kam,
Thank you so much for your message! Most toddlers drop their naps around 3-4 years of age. Many toddlers go through a regression around 2 years old and they can fight naps, but I would still try to keep putting her down (at least for quiet time). If you still can’t get her to go down, then I would encourage you to try and get her to sleep 12 hours at night. Try an earlier bedtime around 6:30/7pm to compensate for the lack of day sleep. Have you thought about night weaning her? She is most likely waking up from habit vs. hungry at the point (always contact pediatrician to be sure), and weaning off milk at night should really help her sleep straight through!
Check out some resources I have linked for you below!
https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/when-do-toddlers-stop-napping
https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/how-to-get-toddler-to-nap
Best,
Alyssa, BSMS Support Team
Hi. Our 2 year 2 month old has been a really good sleeper qnd has settled on his own at bedtime and during the night. However he has recently started wanting either me or my husband in his room to go to sleep or to stay in his room with him when he wakes at night. He has just started talking lots more and started daycare. Im sure it will pass but i am concerned we are creating a new habit staying in his room during the night if he wakes or at bedtime. However if i let him scream and cry, no one in the house will get any sleep. Is staying with him through this phase ok do you think?
Hi there Bernadette. As you said this is probably a developmental thing. And you don’t have to let him cry. But what you can do is talk to your son during the day, and let him know that you love him, you’re always there, to the next room, and that you’ll put him to sleep and leave. Reassure him that his safe and you and his dad are always there.
This guide has tips that will help you keep your LO in his crib –> https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/toddler-getting-out-of-bed-repeatedly-2
Try implementing these tips for a few days and then let us know how things work out. Good luck. Panagiota, BSMS Support Team
My son is 2 years and 9 months old and just learned how to crawl out of his crib. We transitioned him to a toddler bed and he will NOT stay in bed. We have tried walking him back to his bed every night saying our rehearsed line (“It’s time to go to sleep”). This goes on for 2-3 hours each night before we finally give up. We’ve stayed in his room next to him as he falls asleep…only he doesn’t fall asleep. We’ve tried mounting a gate on his door; he climbed it. We’re ordering a taller one but it won’t be here for another week and we’re desperate. Beyond all this, he refuses to nap. We do a nap routine and leave him in his room for one hour—sleeping or not—and he falls asleep about once every 3 weeks. He has got to be overtired but won’t pass out until almost midnight each night, usually in our bed becasue we’ve tried for hours to get him to go to sleep and nothing works. What do we need to do differently? Help!!
Hi Emily,
Thanks so much for your message! We really recommend trying to keep your LO in the crib until at least 3-4 years of age (unless climbing out for safety reasons). Little ones can better handle toddler beds when they are older. You can try these tips to see if it helps keep your LO in the crib longer:
1) If your crib has uneven sides, put the shorter side against the wall and push it up against a corner, so there are less sides to climb out.
2) Make sure there are no bumpers, pillows, or blankets that are in the crib that your LO can use for height to climb out. Try a sleep sack.
3) Have the mattress at the lowest setting
4) Try this for a few days and nights with a firm “No” when your LO tries to climb out. See if this helps after a few days.
If this still isn’t working, then toddler bed is the best solution. Check out this article for helpful tips! https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/how-to-transition-toddler-from-crib-to-bed
Alyssa, BSMS Support Team
My little boy is 21 mo, he’s an only child and has never been a good sleeper. I feel like we change routines every two weeks bc he’s doing something different. Currently he’s going to bed around 9-930 bc he FIGHTS and fights…and this is after a routine consisting of bath, reading and nursing and finally putting him down asleep (all wrong, I know ?). He then wakes up screaming between 12-4am to come to bed with me (I’m assuming). He’s always woken up in the night, multiple times. I’m in anesthesia school and am ab to start clinical (EARLY am) where I don’t want him in my bed bc I’ll be leaving early, and Dad just isn’t me so I want him in the crib! I cringe when I hear him cry and scream and I crumble. I tried letting him cry. He threw up all over bc he gagged himself (I think he’s teething so His hands are in his mouth). And lord did I feel like the worst mom. He’s also in a toddler sleep sac to avoid climbing out of the crib. He’s a big boy and can escape. He isn’t ready for a toddler bed and neither am I. So much needs to be changed and idk where to start, or how to gain the courage to let him cry???.
Hello Amber,
Thanks so much for your post! We would love to help you and your LO get more sleep! First, I would sign up for our FREE Exhausted Moms Survival Kit. It has a ton of helpful sleep tips to get your LO sleeping better. I would also highly recommend signing up for our program. We can really help you teach your LO to fall asleep independently and sleep in the crib. We’re currently having a Spring Sale. This gives you 30 days of personal support with our sleep training program, 21 Days to Peace & Quiet. Jilly walks you through each step and shows you exactly what to do every night. Plus we answer questions 5 days/week inside a private FB group. So you really get all the direction and support you need. Here’s more info: https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/21-days-to-peace-quiet-program. Please let me know if you have any questions!! Alyssa, BSMS Support Team
https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/exhausted-moms-survival-kit
My 2 year old wakes up 2-3xs in the middle of the night to pee. She’s a terrible sleeper and only wants to sleep in my bed.
Hi there mama. What you can do is let her wear a diaper at night. This will not ruin potty training. Many children are potty trained for the day and still wear diapers during night time. Please try this trick and let us know how things work out.
Apart from that what do you mean she’s a terrible sleeper? How is her bedtime and naps? Have you tried any of the tips in this guide? Happy to help you. Panagiota, BSMS Support Team
The good news is that the 2 year old regression is often much shorter and will pass quickly! Just remain super consistent with routines so it won’t cause any long-term sleep interruptions! Alyssa, BSMS Support Team
My little guy is 33 months and has always been an amazing sleeper but he’s been through a lot of change. My husband left and I had to go back to work. He took me going to work the hardest. Even though he’s with my mom every day (which is very familiar). He began getting night terrors about a month after I started work and had had them every night since (about 2 months). He previously self soothed, went to bed awake and never slept in my bed. Now he can’t do any of this. I’ve cut screen time, established a good bed time (bath, jammies, story) routine, increase naps, decreased naps, brought back his sound machine, let him cry it out (he never gave in, just lays crying on the floor in his room). How do I get him back sleeping well but offer him the comfort and security he clearly is craving ? Help! I’m out of ideas
Hi Jenna,
You’re doing everything right in regards to his sleep routines and lifestyle. I suspect it’s the recent life changes that are affecting his sleep. This is really normal.
I suggest you talk with him during the day about all the recent changes. Explain that you’re always thinking about him when you’re working and how much you miss him. Maybe you can video call during the day just to say hi?
When you get home, have one-on-one time with him, completely uninterrupted. Put your phone away and spend at least 20-30 minutes chatting, reading, hugging and having quality time together. Tell him how much you missed him.
During his bedtime routine tell him how proud you are of him, what a big boy he is and that you’re always checking on him during the night. Then gently let him know what you expect of him (he’ll stay in his bed all night.)
Basically, communicate everyday how much you love him, think about him, miss him and are always there for him. (And remind him how much Grandma loves him too. And Dad, if applicable.)
You may need to sit quietly in his room for several nights to get him used to staying in his bed and room. Do the same for night wakings. Keep him in his familiar sleep space, you go in to provide reassurance.
Once the night terrors have stopped, you can wean yourself out of the room. This video has advice for that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jdkqhKfJfo
I hope this helps,
Jilly
This sounds identical to the issues we are having with my 33 month old daughter. I recently went back to work, and she is really struggling at night. I’m wondering if you have any advice/things that worked for you?
Thank you!!