What to do if your toddler keeps waking in the night

If you are one of the lucky parents whose child has been sleeping through the night without any problems, there can still be times when they wake unexpectedly. There are lots of reasons why this might happen. Maybe they aren’t getting enough exercise during the day and they aren’t tired enough, or they could be hungry, having bad dreams or teething again.

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Tips to try if they keep waking up

Tip #1: Dinner, bath and story

A bedtime routine can help your wee one relax and sleep better. Maybe it’s tea, bath, story, then cuddles and don’t forget some milk, then brush their teeth. Just try and do it the same way, at the same time, every evening.

Tip #2: Night lights

Night-lights aren’t just a good idea for your baby – your older toddler might still like one in their room.

Tip #3: Explain night time rules

It can help to tell your toddler during the day that everyone sleeps in their own bed. So when they get up to pay you a visit in the middle of the night, just calmly put them back. Chances are that you’ll have to do this a number of times before the message strikes home.

Tip #4: Keep calm

If your toddler gets up through the night (and we all know they love doing that), just calmly get up and take them back to their own bed straightaway.

Tip #5: Take your time

If your toddler cries during the night, try leaving them for just a minute or two and they may settle themselves.

Tip #6: Track nap times

Long naps in the afternoon can have a big impact on sleep. Remember your child is growing all the time, so their needs and habits are constantly changing. Reduce the length of their nap gradually and they’ll hopefully be back sleeping through the night again.

Bad dreams and nightmares are something a lot of young children experience at some stage. Be careful what they’re watching or reading before they go to bed. You’d be surprised how easily these things can bother your little one when they’re trying to sleep.

Tip #8: Changes

Changes in routine can affect your child’s sleep patterns. Simple things like starting nursery or going to a child minder for the first time can impact their sleep. You might not be able to avoid these changes, but it can help if you know why it’s happening.

Image of a child smiling at the camera while playing on a climbing frame in a play park.

A walk (even just to the shops and back), or a run outside in the fresh air, or playing hide and seek inside, can all help your child to sleep better at night. Here are some tips for keeping active indoors and outdoors that will help them burn up some energy.

What the professionals say

“Some toddlers like getting out of their bed and coming into yours – and that can be hard to stop. A good way to deal with this is at some point, well before bedtime, explain to your child that everyone sleeps in their own bed at night. If they do decide to get up or come into your bed, take them back and settle them down gently but firmly. Be prepared to repeat this, and don’t give in.”

Advice and support from Sleep Action

Sleep Action offer advice and support to parents and carers, or to young people themselves, for any child aged 18 months to 18 years with a sleep problem. Visit the Sleep Action website to find out more and get in touch.

You may also find this leaflet from Sleep Scotland about toddler sleep helpful.