When you’re in the midst of dealing with baby sleep, you think you can’t possibly be more tired. But then your baby becomes a toddler, and you’re in for a surprise once again. That’s the thing with kids: they’re constantly changing. And all of those changes can sometimes leave you, and them, pretty exhausted.
When children are transitioning from babyhood to toddlerhood, they often go through a phase of early-waking. All of a sudden, your sweet baby who was waking up at 7am is now up for the day at 5am (or earlier!). Why is this, how much sleep does your toddler need, and how can you get them to sleep later?
We spoke to sleep consultants Nicole Johnson from The Baby Sleep Site and Riki Taubenblat from Baby Sleep Maven to get the details on toddler sleep—read on for their expert tips.
How much sleep does my toddler need?
Toddler sleep needs vary by age quite a bit, says The Baby Sleep Site consultant Nicole Johnson. Around 13-14 months old, toddlers are still taking two naps need about 10-12 hours of sleep per night and 2-3 hours total nap sleep during the day. Once toddlers transition to one nap, they need around 11-12 hours of nighttime sleep and 2-3 hours of daytime sleep. In general, nighttime sleep needs tend to go up as nap sleep goes down.
“After 2 years old, schedules start to vary quite a bit with some 2- and 3-year-olds needing 10-11 hours of sleep with a 2-hour nap,” she continued. “While others will still be sleeping 12 hours at night and take a long afternoon nap of 2-3 hours.” It’s at this point when you can really begin to see how sleep needs vary in your children; many are pre-disposed to sleep longer or later, while others (like mine) just don’t seem to need as much sleep.
Source: @homeoftheharveys
So, why is my toddler waking up so early?
The first thing to consider is what actually constitutes an early waking. Sleep consultant Riki Taubenblat of Baby Sleep Maven explained that “Anything that is less than 11 hours after bedtime should be considered an early waking. For example, if your toddler’s bedtime is 7pm, any time before 6am is considered early.”
You also have to take into account how your baby is waking up. Some toddlers, just like adults, are simply early-risers. If your little one is getting enough combined daytime/nighttime sleep and is waking up happy and refreshed, they’re likely just a morning person. Of course, this is tough on you, particularly if you’re not a morning person, but there’s not much you can do about it.
On the other hand, if your little one wakes up cranky or crying or is visibly tired during the day, they’re likely not getting enough sleep. According to Taubenblat, both internal factors, like overtiredness, and external factors, like light and sound, can all be contributors towards early waking.
Early wakings are the most difficult of sleep troubles to resolve, and it can often take a few weeks to see improvement in this area, says Taubenblat, but it is possible.
Read on for a few things you can try to help your toddler sleep in:
1. Block out external stimuli
When the sun is out bright and early but you don’t necessarily want your kid to be, keep an eye on how much light comes into your child’s room early in the morning. Since daylight signals “wake up” to our bodies, it could be the biggest contributing factor to your toddler’s early waking. Blackout curtains could be a game-changer for you.
Noise could also be a factor. “The lightest stages of sleep occur after 4am,” Taubenblat said. “So, it’s very easy to be awakened at that point by light or noise and have a hard time falling back asleep.” If you don’t already use a white-noise machine and you think early morning noise (birds, the neighbor’s dog, or you or your partner leaving early for work) might be waking your kiddo up, try one out. It might be just what you need.
2. Limit stimulation after dinner
“Being overstimulated at bedtime can cause sleep disruptions for
the entire night’s sleep and lead to early wakings,” Taubenblat said. Wind down after dinner with dim lights and quiet play before starting your bedtime routine. This lets your little one’s body begin to calm down and prepare for sleep.
Toddler Pillow
Every toddler wants to be a big kid. Start with a toddler pillow, which isn't too bulky.
Blanket
A cozy blanket is all your toddler needs to snuggle up, and hopefully sleep later.
3. Invest in a toddler clock
Toddler clocks, which you set to light up green at a certain time, are great for older toddlers. If they wake early and see that the clock is not green, they’ll get a visual signal that it’s not yet time to wake up. If you’re lucky, they’ll go back to sleep. But even if they just lay or play quietly, at least you get another few minutes to stay in bed.
OK to Wake Alarm Clock
The alarm clock turns green when it's OK to get up, which is an easy concept for a toddler to grasp.
Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine, Night Light, and Time-to-Rise Clock
The device's color change signals it's time to get up—plus, it's a sound machine and night light too. And it can be totally controlled from your phone!
4. Make their bedroom boring
If they wake up to tons of toys and books, they’re likely not going to want to go back to sleep, noted Taubenblat. Clearing their room of any sort of excitement or stimuli will create a more relaxing environment that signifies a place for rest and calm.
5. Shift bedtime later
You can try shifting bedtime 15 minutes later per night for one to two weeks. Keep in mind that it’ll take time for their little bodies to adjust to a new routine, so don’t expect change overnight.
6. Or move bedtime earlier
If your toddler is going to sleep too late, their overtiredness could be the reason they’re waking up so early. It sounds weird, but an earlier bedtime could help them get the rest they need and promote a healthier (and longer) night’s sleep.
If you try everything and they still wake up early in the morning, well, I feel you in solidarity, mama. All the more reason to get that espresso machine you’ve been eyeing, I say.
Read More: I Sleep Trained My Twins at 4 Months—This Is Why and How
