We talk a lot in our blog about helping your infants and younger babies with their sleep and other challenges but we don’t spend a lot of time talking about how to help toddlers with their sleep. Well today, we’re going to do just that! We know that just because a baby grows up a little bit doesn’t mean that they don’t also suffer from the same sleep related challenges. In this article, we’re going to see what sleep schedules should look like for your toddlers around age two or so. Please let us know of any of your experiences or challenges in this area in the comments. We can’t wait to exchange ideas and stories with you.
How Much Sleep Does My Two Year Old Need?
Toddlers around two years old typically need 11 hours of sleep each night in addition to one nap during the daytime that is between one and a half and two hours long. Two naps per day at this age is not ideal as they will be short and UN-restorative.
How To Tell If My Toddler Is Getting Good Sleep?
To ensure that your toddler is getting the restful sleep that they need, watch them sleep for a few minutes next time they are taking a nap or fall asleep for the night. Watch their breathing and pay attention to their movements and rhythms. Do you notice a lot of open mouthed breathing nor loud snoring? Your child may have a nasal obstruction, tongue tie or sleep apnea and may not be getting the restful sleep that they need. If you observe those things, then you may want to contact your pediatrician and let them know what you are seeing. Sometimes getting sleep is not the same as getting restful sleep and the difference can be huge in your toddler’s day to day performance and happiness levels.
Safety Rail On The Toddler’s Bed?
I usually say that parents can use a bed rail if they choose. Mattress on the floor is usually how I have parents transition out of the crib. It is the safest and leaves no room for there to be ‘monsters under the bed’ scenarios which can be disruptive to establishing solid sleep patterns and can reduce nightmares etc.
Establishing Boundaries And Routines Are Essential For Good Sleep
The most important thing for new parents to remember in regards to their toddlers is that they need and feel more secure with boundaries. Parents that allow toddlers to dictate the when and the where of nap times and bedtimes can lead to poorer sleep schedules, habits, and outcomes.
This can also lead to emotional and behavioral problems such as acting out. It is important for toddlers to have predictability. As a parent, you need to set firm boundaries and they can be enforced in a very loving manner, but they DO need to be enforced in order for the best possible development of your child.
Parting Thoughts
Establishing the perfect sleeping routine for your toddler can be difficult, but it’s not impossible! We hope these tips have helped you along your journey. If you have any questions about helping your baby to sleep better, developing a conducive routine for your baby that works with your life, or about your baby in general, please reach out to us HERE. We are experts in all things baby and sleep and would love to help!
If you have questions about your child, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would love to help. Please reach out to us here! We always look forward to hearing from you.
