Night waking is a common behavior in toddlers, more like a mean trick from them. One minute you have your child deep asleep and the next minute she or he is attention seeking with a loud cry. Many call it to sleep regression while others think it’s a sleep disorder, well whatever the case it is; a sleepless night is enough to drive you insane. Research has it that toddlers’ need up to 14 hours of sleep every day with naps included, but that doesn’t mean they’ll sleep on schedule and keep at it until morning. Even if your child has been sleeping well through the night, there is no guarantee that he/she will not regress. A peaceful night with adequate sleep is all a mother prays for every day, there is joy in seeing your child sleep peacefully through the night without waking up.
The worse is when a mother is not able to figure out the cause or reason for the night waking, and instead feels miserably responsible for it. Well, sleep regression is nothing to feel guilty over; it happens now and then but can be handled with the right strategies.
What are the cause of sleep regression and the possible solutions?
Separation anxiety
Fear and anxiety could be the major reason for sleep regression at this particular age. Children fear sleeping alone mostly after a long period of warm nights beside the mother. Being close to the parent is always awesome and is mainly their underlying want, so acknowledging the fact that it is only them and the crib causes anxiety.
First, you need to understand their communicative language, which in this case is the cry of fear. The child will begin to escalate the separation anxiety at bedtime with a consistent cry in communication until he/she is heard. You are not supposed to pity them over their anxiety, but rather try seeing things in their perspective. Validate their point of view and gradually they will be flexible to your guidance.
Secondly help the child acknowledge your presence even in absentia. This can be done in a number of ways:
- Give the child a firm assurance of your return to check on them, return as planned to help build the trust. Slowly he/she will begin to drift off peacefully knowing you will keep your words.
- You can either make or buy mum and dad dolls for the child, allow he/she sleep with the dolls as a sign of This helps them feel a bit responsible and ready to protect.
- Stay by the crib reading until they fall asleep, your presence as they drift-off drives the anxiety away.
Honestly, the above can also work perfectly in combination. Lastly, don’t use sleep as form of punishment it will only end up in tantrums.
A new baby in the house
We all love attention and children are no exemption on this. Toddlers get sleep regression anytime the attention is shifted; they are at a stage where everything belongs to them you inclusive so having to share pierces deeper than a knife. The tension hits instantly and within no time they begin to feel the underlying pull to connect and cling on you every minute. Fighting bedtime after the arrival of a newborn is very normal and developmentally healthy. But then, you need to reaffirm your love and presence for peace to reign.
- Find time to make them feel like the baby they are, play games with them during your free time and allow them to play their part (being a baby) it’s an assurance that he/she is still your baby.
- Communicate to them in the right tone they understand with all the pet names they want to hear.
- During your game time reverse rolls and allow some form of responsibility on them, they will treat just the way the want to be treated. It’s learning time for both of you.
- Tag them along in your activities or errands, it helps deal with insecurities, but also allows enough activity for a peaceful sleep through the night.
Waking up early
Create a reasonable sleep routine for them to avoid waking up at the crack of dawn. Every toddler needs at least 12 hours of sleep through the night, this between 6-8pm sleep time and 6-8am wake up time. When the child under sleeps they wake up frustrated and exhausted forcing them to go through unscheduled nap hours which completely messes their night sleep. To help a child evade late night sleeping:
- Religiously follow the nap and sleep schedule calendar.
- Dress the baby’s room in dark curtains and dim lights.
- Remove all the play toys from the crib or bed.
- Keep the baby warm and well-fed.
- Stop the early morning and late night TV watching to reduce the excitement of either staying up late or rising early.
Refuses to nap or nap for too long
Napping is a developmental right for children, it grants their minds and body a humble time to rest and recharge. Every child below the age of 3, needs a religious naps schedule for a brain break during the day. Study shows that overtired kids hardly sleep well at night or fight their way to sleep. But then again, too much of everything is also dangerous, when a child over naps they lose their sleep consistency and pattern in the night. For instance, a two-hour nap during the day is enough for any child who is expected to go through 12 hours of sleep in the night.
Adequate sleep is absolute necessity for everyone, but a little intense on toddlers who need good-quality sleep for a healthy growth. Therefore, it is important that you make adjustments on your baby’s sleep schedule the minute you spot any form of regression. The duration it takes to overcome the regression will definitely depend on both you and the child’s cooperation. Listen to your instincts and adjust in the right places. It’s only a matter of time before the child pick up once again on a good sleeping pattern.
Has your child experience this sleeping challenges yet? Share with other moms so they know they are not alone. What did you dot that worked?