Toddler sleep concerns: wakes at night

Why does my toddler wake in the night?

It’s not unusual for toddlers to wake during the night (Galland et al 2012). Around one in ten children has problems with sleep at some stage (Byars et al 2012). So if your toddler is restless and waking at night, you’re not alone.

Here are some of the more common reasons as to why your toddler may be waking up at night:

• Feeling uncomfortable. Your toddler may be teething, hungry or thirsty, have a wet nappy or be too hot or too cold (NCT 2018).
• Having a night terror (van Horn et al 2019). Night terrors are common in young children. Although they can be upsetting to witness, your toddler is very unlikely to remember night terrors (van Horn et al 2019). Nightmares may also wake your child (NHS 2018).
• Being overtired or over-stimulated at bedtime (NCT 2018).
• Being unable to fall back to sleep without you (Honaker and Maltzer 2014). Many children find it hard to settle themselves back to sleep if they wake up at night.
  
  

Sometimes an underlying health condition can cause your little one to wake more at night. Sleep apnoea is a condition that can block the airways in the throat. You may notice that your child's breathing stops for a few seconds, sometimes followed by a gasp or snort. This can happen multiple times a night, disrupting your little one’s sleep.

If you think your child may have sleep apnoea, make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible. Your doctor can prescribe medication that may help to unblock your little one’s nose and sinuses.

How can I help my toddler sleep through the night?

There are some simple things you can do to encourage your toddler to drift off and have a restful night’s sleep. Trying the following tips may help:

• Have a calm, quiet and consistent bedtime routine every night. This helps your toddler to relax and understand 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. 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.
• Avoid having screen time in the hour before bed if you can. The light from the screen can affect how well your toddler goes to sleep.
• Keep things quiet and soothing. Stick to reading or a lullaby before bed rather than a boisterous game. If your toddler wakes at night, keep the lights low and talk to them as little as possible.
  (NHS 2020)

Depending on why your toddler wakes, there may also be some simple things you can try. For example, if your toddler seems hungry when they wake, an extra snack before bed could help. If you think your little one’s room is too warm or too chilly, adjust the temperature or change the bedding. If your toddler always seems to wake with a wet nappy, try an ultra-dry variety, or a different brand. If your little one is potty-trained, make a final trip to the toilet part of your nightly bedtime routine.

In most cases, your toddler’s sleep will improve in its own time. However, if you’re worried about your toddler’s 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.

Find out what to do if your toddler wakes too early in the morning.