When your toddler isn’t sleeping, it can become stressful and overwhelming very quickly; especially if it has turned into a long-term problem.
Why Isn’t My Toddler Sleeping?
There could be a variety of reasons why your child is having sleep problems. One of the reasons could be because of sleep regression. You can usually tell if it’s sleep regression by when it begins in a toddler, how long it lasts, and whether there are any other concerns that could be causing the sleep issues.
While sleep regression in toddlers can be particularly aggravating for parents, it’s important to realize that it’s natural and temporary – and there are things you can do to help make it better.
For most toddlers, sleep regression occurs for a few common reasons:
- Newfound independence
- Being overtired
- Developmental changes/advances
- New routines or sudden environmental changes
- Family changes
- Teething
- Fears/anxiety (such as nightmares, etc.)
How Can I Get My Toddler to Sleep?
Creating a serene, quiet, and pleasant bedroom environment is frequently the first step in helping a child sleep. Distractions such as from a television or other electronic device, might make it more difficult for them to get normal, high-quality sleep.
Healthy sleep habits, such as a consistent sleep schedule and pre-bed routine, can help emphasize the importance of bedtime and reduce sleep disruptions. Furthermore, allowing your toddler to expend energy during the day and relax before bedtime will make it simpler for them to fall asleep and stay asleep all night.
If your toddler’s sleep problems are affecting his or her daily activities, and you observe severe weariness, irritability, or other behavioural changes in your toddler during the day, you should seek out advice from your pediatrician.
While the 2-year-old sleep regression is unpleasant for parents, it is a developmentally normal and regular occurrence for children. If your child is having trouble going to bed or waking up frequently at night, it’s crucial to address any underlying concerns first and then be patient until the sleep regression passes.
Here are some other tips that can help you get your toddler to sleep:
- Home Remedies
- White noise machine
- Limit electronic use before bed
- Use a night light
- Try a pacifier or warm milk
- Maintain a bedtime routine
- Keep calm and consistent – you can do this!
- Over-the-Counter Toddler Sleep Treatments: There are currently no prescription drugs approved in the U.S. or Canada to treat childhood insomnia, but some children are given:
- Natural health products like KOLIK® Sweet Dreams: Sweet Dreams is a unique night-time, alcohol-free toddler gas and digestive relief formula. Formulated with chamomile and linden flower, which have been traditionally used in herbal remedies for night-time restlessness and digestive issues, Sweet Dreams was specifically designed to calm fussy toddlers at nighttime.
Using one or a combination of any of the above remedies will hopefully help your toddler get back to a healthy sleeping pattern.
How Much Sleep Does a Toddler Need?
Sleep is still important for children’s overall health and development even though toddlers do sleep for fewer hours than babies. Most children between the ages of one and two require 10–13 hours of sleep each day, including one or two naps throughout the day.
At this age, sleep is an extremely crucial element of your kid’s development, and establishing a consistent, regular bedtime routine can help your child get back on track.
How Sweet Dreams Can Help
Sweet Dreams was designed to gently calm fussy children at bedtime and help ease:
- Night-time restlessness
- Digestive relief
- Upset stomach
- Gas
- Indigestion
Our fast-acting, natural formula provides digestive relief for children ages 2-11 and is available for purchase in major grocery stores and pharmacies across Canada and Amazon.
