It’s been a long day, and you’re looking forward to some peace and quiet after your little one drifts off to dreamland. You’ve read their favorite bedtime story, tucked them in, and turned off the light. But despite all that, your toddler won’t sleep.
It’s a frustrating situation that many parents can relate to. But what causes toddlers not to sleep in the first place? And if they’re currently fighting sleep, what can you do?
Let’s look at some common reasons toddlers won’t fall asleep and explore potential solutions to help you both get the rest you need. But first, let’s talk about the importance of sleep and how much sleep your toddler should get each night.
Table of contents
- The importance of sleep for toddlers
- How much sleep do toddlers need?
- 9 reasons your toddler won’t sleep
- General tips for when your toddler won’t sleep
The importance of sleep for toddlers
Of course you know that sleep is important for toddlers, especially given the fact that your little one is still developing both mentally and physically. Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for learning, forming memories, regulating emotions, and even growth.
The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that a quarter of children under five years old do not get enough sleep on a regular basis.
If your toddler won’t sleep, it’s time to take action, as a lack of sleep can have long term health consequences. According to some studies, a lack of sleep in early childhood is associated with certain illnesses later on in life.
So how will you know if your toddler isn’t getting enough shuteye? You’re probably attuned to some of the obvious signs, like yawning and eye rubbing, but there are other indications that they need to sleep more. Here are a few:
- Hyperactivity
- Disruptive behavior
- Aggression
- Difficulty awakening
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Inability to focus
- Decreased motivation
- Academic problems
- Overeating
- Lack of coordination
How much sleep do toddlers need?
According to the CDC, toddlers need an average of 11-14 hours of shut-eye in a 24-hour period. This includes any naps they take as well as their nighttime sleep. Generally, naps account for one to two hours of sleep daily for children one to two years old.
However, every child is different. Some may require more or less sleep than others. The best thing to do is to pay attention to your baby’s sleep cues and put them to bed accordingly. Sleep cues you want to look out for include:
- Rubbing their eyes
- Pulling their ears
- Crying
- Being clingy
- Clenching fists
- Red eyebrows
- Lack of eye contact
When you notice your toddler’s sleep cues, go ahead and get them ready for bed. The longer you wait, the more likely your child will become overtired and struggle to drift off to dreamland.
If you’re having trouble putting together a sleep plan, make an appointment with their pediatrician to discuss an individualized sleep schedule.
9 reasons your toddler won’t sleep
While sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why your toddler won’t sleep, these common culprits may be to blame. For each, we share some simple steps you can try to help your child fall asleep.
1) Pain or discomfort
With limited communication skills, it’s hard for a toddler to tell you they aren’t feeling well. If they aren’t sleeping, it’s important to rule out any sources of pain or discomfort.
If your toddler won’t sleep because they’re uncomfortable, there are lots of possible things that could be going on. Let’s take a look at some of the most common at this age.
Teething
You can expect your little one to get their first molars and canines between 13 and 19 months. Although they’ve experienced teething pains in the past, cutting these teeth can be particularly uncomfortable.
If your toddler is teething, you’ll notice they’ll get a little crankier. They’ll also experience a few telltale signs, such as:
- Gum swelling and sensitivity
- Drool
- Cheek rubbing
- Chewing
- Refusing to eat
What to do
If you think your toddler is experiencing teething pains, check their mouth for swollen gums, and observe their behavior for the above signs. If it is that they’re teething, you can try different ways to relieve their pain and relax them enough to sleep, like:
- Give your toddler a Tylenol (ask your pediatrician first)
- Offer more comfort
- Try a pre-feeding gum massage
- Adjust their bedtime
The good news is that the pain is temporary, so pretty soon they’ll be all smiles as they go back to their regular sleep routine.
Ear infection
Another reason your toddler won’t sleep might be due to an ear infection. Ear infections are often confused with teething pains, but with infections, the pain gets progressively worse. You may catch them tugging on their ear and crying — they may even have a hard time hearing.
What to do
If your little one has an ear infection, you can cover their ear with a wet, warm cloth and make sure that they sleep on the opposite side so as not to put pressure on the infected ear.
Talk to your child’s pediatrician about any medication, such as Tylenol, ear drops, or decongestants.
Growing pains
Growing pains, which are leg muscle pains that occur during periods of growth (usually between three and 12 years old), can also make your toddler too uncomfortable to sleep well. This is especially true because these pains usually happen at nighttime.
What to do
If your toddler is experiencing growing pains, gently massage their legs. You can also use a heat pack to relax the muscles. Talk to your pediatrician about giving them ibuprofen to help with the pain.
Stuffy nose
If your little one has a stuffy nose, they may have trouble breathing when they lie down, making it near-impossible to sleep. Finding a good position to nod off can be a challenge.
What to do
One thing you can do to help your little one breathe easier is to elevate their upper body and let gravity do its work. You can also use a humidifier in their room, as the moist air will loosen up the mucus. If you don’t have a humidifier, opt for having them relax in a steamy bathroom.
Stomachache
If your toddler has a crummy tummy, it’s no wonder they’re having trouble sleeping. This could be due to overeating, eating too close to bedtime, stomach flu, gas, or constipation.
What to do
Give them some water that’s been boiled and then cooled, or some juice. If they don’t want to eat, don’t force the issue, and when they’re ready, stick with bland foods like crackers and rice.
If their abdominal pain is more serious or is accompanied by other symptoms like a fever, blood in their stools, or jaundiced skin, seek medical help right away.
Those are just a few of the most common things that might be causing your toddler discomfort. If you suspect your child is in pain but can’t pinpoint the source, consult their doctor. They may need pain medication or another treatment to help them feel better.
2) Separation anxiety
Toddlers are developing their independence and want to do things on their own. But they still crave the attention and security of their caregivers.
When you’re out of sight, your little one might feel nervous. This is known as separation anxiety, and it’s prevalent in children between 6 months and 3 years. Anxiety makes it hard for toddlers to sleep, even when they’re tired.
What to do
Be patient with your child, and establish a bedtime routine with lots of hugs and snuggles. You can also leave a nightlight on or provide a special toy or blanket for comfort.
Offer praise for them staying in their bed, and remind them of all the fun things you’ll do together tomorrow.
3) Dirty diaper
Sleeping in a dirty diaper isn’t fun. If your toddler isn’t yet potty trained, a wet or poopy diaper could keep them up.
What to do
Check their diaper, and quickly change them if needed. Keep the lights low and speak in soothing tones as you do this. Then, help them get back into bed with a fresh diaper.
4) Developmental milestones
Has your toddler recently learned a new skill or started talking more? While these developmental milestones are exciting, they can also disrupt sleep patterns.
As they learn new things, your little one might experience sore muscles or a racing brain, making it harder to fall asleep. Plus, since these new skills require effort, it’s possible that your toddler is burning more calories than usual and feels hungry.
What to do
A small bedtime snack can help satisfy their hunger and provide the necessary nutrients to support their growth. You can also give them a soothing massage for a few minutes as you talk about all the new things they’ve been doing.
5) Sleep Regression
By the time your child’s a toddler, you’ve probably gone through a few sleep regressions. This is when your little one, who had been such a good sleeper before, suddenly cannot catch those zzzs.
Toddler sleep regressions tend to happen at 18 months and two years old.
What to do
The best thing to do is ensure you’re paying close attention to our healthy sleep tips below, and stay the course. Sleep regressions are a normal part of development and should be over in a week or two.
6) Overtiredness
When your toddler gets too tired, their body produces stress hormones, like cortisol. These hormones make it difficult for your child to relax and fall asleep.
Here are some signs that they’re overtired:
- Irritability
- Crying about things that typically don’t bother them
- Difficult to console
- Hyperactivity
- Not wanting you to put them down
You may notice these symptoms on days when your child woke up extra early or missed a nap.
What to do
For tonight, simply snuggle with your grumpy little one and hold them close. This alone could calm them down enough to sleep, though it’ll likely take some time. Singing softly or reading a story may also help.
Through it all, stay calm and let them know that you’re there for them.
Going forward, implement a consistent bedtime routine to ensure they get enough sleep. Put them to bed when they first show signs of tiredness, such as rubbing their eyes or yawning. And be sure to stick to this routine as much as possible, even on the weekends.
You’ll also want to evaluate their nap pattern. While some toddlers are ready to drop to one nap a day, others still need two. Add up all the time spent sleeping and see if they get at least 11 hours each day.
7) Bad sleep environment
If your baby isn’t comfortable, they might have trouble falling asleep. Spend some time with them in their room and consider these factors:
- Temperature: Is the room too hot or cold?
- Pajamas: Are they too tight, or is a tag feeling scratchy?
- Noise: Can you hear any loud or annoying sounds?
- Light: Is the room too bright or too dark? Fear of the dark often starts in toddlerhood.
- Bed: Is their mattress comfortable? Is it too hard or too soft?
If your child’s space doesn’t feel cozy, it might be time to make a few changes.
What to do
Make their room more comfortable. Try:
- Adjusting the temperature: The optimal temperature in your toddler’s room is 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Changing them into another pair of pajamas: It’s best to opt for breathable and natural fabrics, like organic cotton.
- Running a white noise machine: The white noise will drown out any other distractions that might disrupt their sleep.
- Turning on a nightlight: The low light will not only give them comfort but will help guide them if they have to get up in the night to go to the bathroom or get a drink of water.
- Investing in a high-quality, breathable Newton Baby Crib Mattress and sheets: Newton Baby’s mattresses feature Wovenaire® technology allowing your toddler to breathe right through the mattress. Our mattresses are also completely washable and GREENGUARD Gold certified, allowing for the cleanest, safest sleep.
- Introducing a toddler pillow, blanket, and stuffed animal (only if they’re over a year old): Your toddler will appreciate the extra comfort!
- Installing blackout shades: It’s hard to sleep if your room is too light. Blackout curtains or shades will help your toddler relax into sleep.
8) Life changes
Has anything changed in your household recently? Did you have a new baby or find a new daycare?
Toddlers thrive on routine, so even small changes can throw off their sleep schedule. For example, if you’re away from home and you’re expecting them to sleep in a different room or a new bed, they might not feel comfortable or secure enough to rest.
What to do
Be patient with your little one as they learn to navigate changes in life. You may need to stay in their room longer than normal or read extra bedtime stories.
If you travel a lot, invest in a Travel Crib & Play Yard so your toddler can have the same bed, no matter where life takes you.
9) Sleep disorders
If you’ve tried every trick in the book and your child still doesn’t sleep well, they may have a sleep disorder.
Common disorders that affect toddlers include:
- Nightmares and night terrors
- Sleep apnea
- Sleepwalking
- Restless leg syndrome
What to do
Discuss your child’s sleep with their physician. They may recommend a sleep study to learn more about your toddler’s sleep patterns and determine if any underlying issues are causing their sleep troubles.
If your child’s doctor diagnoses them with anything, they’ll work with you to find the right treatment plan.
General tips for when your toddler won’t sleep
The good news is that there are things that you can do to minimize sleepless nights. Here are some more general tips to help encourage healthy sleep habits:
Get your toddler outside during the day.
Giving your toddler plenty of time for physical activity outside during the day is going to pay off in spades when the sun goes down. Exposure to natural light, especially in the morning or early afternoon, will help your toddler’s sleep-wake cycles.
Limit screen time before bed.
Put away the computers, tablets, and other digital devices at least an hour before bed. The blue light emitted from these can trick your toddler’s body into thinking it’s daytime, breaking their circadian rhythm. Opt for a book instead.
Prepare the room for sleep.
If your child is going to sleep through the night, you’ll want to pay mind to their room. Remove any distractions, like toys and electronic devices, from the room. Dim the lights, play quiet, soothing music, adjust the thermostat, and pull down the shades.
Keep a quiet house.
Of course, if your toddler can hear you running around the house while they’re supposed to be sleeping, they’re bound to get curious. Once your child is in bed, avoid doing activities that make a lot of noise so you don’t keep your child awake.
Don’t be afraid to give an incentive.
A little reward can go a long way. Offer your toddler a prize for staying in bed — perhaps a sticker or a special breakfast treat.
Maintain a consistent bedtime routine, even on weekends.
Your toddler’s bedtime routine is only as effective as its consistency. You might give them a bath, put them in their comfy pjs, play some music, and read them a favorite story before bed. Whatever the combination of relaxing activities, you need to make it a habit.
If they’re still restless, let them look at books quietly after you tuck them in.
Offer plenty of reassurance.
If your little one is fearful or anxious, give them an extra hug and some kind words. Let them know that everything will be OK and you love them. The reassurance can help to relax them so that sleep comes more easily.
Skip the sugary snacks.
Make sure your toddler steers clear of anything with sugar or caffeine in it before bedtime.
Anticipate your toddler’s nighttime needs.
If your toddler’s prone to feeling parched in the night, you might get them a drink of water right before bed or leave a cup on their nightstand in case they get thirsty in the night.
Let your child make some of their own choices.
Toddlers are notoriously strong-willed, so if you want them to cooperate with bedtime routines, it’s a good idea to give them a say.
For example, let them choose between several pairs of their favorite PJs, and when it comes to their bedtime story, let them pick between two books.
Adjust their naps if needed.
Being overtired or undertired can wreak havoc on your toddler’s sleep. Making some changes in their nap schedule might be all that’s needed to get them back on track at bedtime.
Try sleep training.
There are a number of different ways to sleep train, from slow and gentle to cry-it-out, so do some research to see what method might work best for your child.
Get a doctor’s advice.
Discuss your child’s sleep schedule with the doctor so you can make changes as recommended.
While your toddler may still experience short sleep regressions, the tips above can help minimize them.
Better sleep with Newton Baby
If your toddler won’t sleep, you’re not alone. It’s a common struggle, but Newton Baby is here to help. Our breathable, hypoallergenic Original, Waterproof, and Essential crib mattresses and our Breathable, Organic Cotton Sheets are designed with your child’s comfort in mind.
With a consistent bedtime routine, lots of love, and our safe, cozy products, you can help your child get the sleep they need for a happier tomorrow.
Sweet dreams!
