My one-year-old still wakes up at night. What can I do?
Night waking is common among toddlers for all kinds of reasons. Some toddlers can wake up many times a night. Around one in ten children have problems with sleep at some stage. So if your toddler is restless and waking at night, you’re not alone.
What you can do about it depends on the reason why they’re waking. For example, if your toddler seems hungry when they wake, an extra snack before bed could help. If their room is a bit too warm or too chilly, adjust the temperature or change their bedding. Or if they always wake with a wet nappy, try an ultra-dry variety, or a different brand.
Perhaps your little one is being woken up by lights or sounds coming in from the street? Check their bedroom for any clues to their night-waking, and do what you can to help, such as using blackout blinds.
Having a calm, quiet and consistent bedtime routine each night will help your toddler relax and know that it’s nearly time for sleep. Try to stick to the same routine as much as you can. You could include a bath, reading a story together and lots of goodnight cuddles.
Check your toddler is comfortable and has everything they need if they wake. Make sure a favourite toy or comforter is within easy reach. Put a beaker of water by the bed and leave a night light on if your little one doesn’t like the dark.
Keep things quiet and soothing. If your toddler wakes at night, keep the lights low and talk to them as little as possible.
Have a look at how much your toddler is sleeping during the day. Too much sleep may be making them more restless at night. Or it may be that your little one isn’t getting enough daytime sleep. Strange as it may seem, being overtired can make it harder for your toddler to sleep through the night.
Many children find it hard to settle themselves back to sleep if they wake up at night. If your one-year-old only falls asleep when you're there, they may find it hard to get back to sleep without you if they wake in the night. So, using some gentle sleep training techniques may help. Find out more about sleep training, including approaches that don’t involve leaving your little one to cry.
In most cases, your one year old’s sleep will improve in its own time. However, if you’re worried about their sleep or if nothing you try seems to work, speak to your health visitor or GP. They'll check for any other reasons that your toddler could be waking in the night.
If your toddler used to sleep through the night, find out why they’ve suddenly started waking up.
What you can do about it depends on the reason why they’re waking. For example, if your toddler seems hungry when they wake, an extra snack before bed could help. If their room is a bit too warm or too chilly, adjust the temperature or change their bedding. Or if they always wake with a wet nappy, try an ultra-dry variety, or a different brand.
Perhaps your little one is being woken up by lights or sounds coming in from the street? Check their bedroom for any clues to their night-waking, and do what you can to help, such as using blackout blinds.
Having a calm, quiet and consistent bedtime routine each night will help your toddler relax and know that it’s nearly time for sleep. Try to stick to the same routine as much as you can. You could include a bath, reading a story together and lots of goodnight cuddles.
Check your toddler is comfortable and has everything they need if they wake. Make sure a favourite toy or comforter is within easy reach. Put a beaker of water by the bed and leave a night light on if your little one doesn’t like the dark.
Keep things quiet and soothing. If your toddler wakes at night, keep the lights low and talk to them as little as possible.
Have a look at how much your toddler is sleeping during the day. Too much sleep may be making them more restless at night. Or it may be that your little one isn’t getting enough daytime sleep. Strange as it may seem, being overtired can make it harder for your toddler to sleep through the night.
Many children find it hard to settle themselves back to sleep if they wake up at night. If your one-year-old only falls asleep when you're there, they may find it hard to get back to sleep without you if they wake in the night. So, using some gentle sleep training techniques may help. Find out more about sleep training, including approaches that don’t involve leaving your little one to cry.
In most cases, your one year old’s sleep will improve in its own time. However, if you’re worried about their sleep or if nothing you try seems to work, speak to your health visitor or GP. They'll check for any other reasons that your toddler could be waking in the night.
If your toddler used to sleep through the night, find out why they’ve suddenly started waking up.
Track your baby’s development
Join now to receive free weekly newsletters tracking your baby’s development and yours throughout your pregnancy.
