Infants & Toddlers – Tips for Sleep

Adequate sleep is a vital part of health. Sleep allows the brain and the body to rest and reset. Sleep deprivation in children can lead to daytime sleepiness, behavioral issues, anxiety, and even poor nutrition and obesity. Previously we have discussed safe sleeping for infants and sleep hygiene tips for older children and teens. Today we are discussing sleep needs and sleep hygiene in infants and toddlers. 

How much sleep does your young child need?

Different ages require different sleep periods. Newborns and young infants spend much of their time asleep, only waking to eat and briefly interact with parents. However, as your child gets older, they require less sleep. Infants 4-6 months of age need 12-16 hours per day, while toddlers aged 1-2 years need 11-14 hours. There are ranges for a reason – each child is unique in the amount of sleep they require for good health. Your child may need slightly more or less than these ranges, however most children fall somewhere in the middle. 

What about naps? 

As infants start to have more wakeful periods, they settle into a fairly consistent nap schedule during the daytime. Some infants take two naps per day, while others will take three. Between 12-18 months of age most toddlers start to settle into one nap per day, though they may stay sleep for longer periods during this time. 

Sleep training of infants

It is important for infants to learn to sleep in their own bassinet or crib. Not only is it safer, but infants will sleep better and for longer periods of time in their own space – and so will you! There are many different theories and recommendations on how to train babies to sleep better. For my patient families, I recommend a modified version of the “cry it out” method, which works well for both parents and infants. Here’s how it works: 

• Establish a bedtime routine with your baby. Bath time, read books, cuddle time, etc. Do the same thing each night. It’s fine to rock or nurse your baby, but stop before he or she falls asleep. You want your baby to be drowsy but awake when you place him or her in the crib.
• Lay your baby in the crib and leave the room. He or she will likely start to cry and that’s ok! Set a timer or watch the clock for 5 minutes before you return to the room.
• Reassure your baby – reinsert the pacifier, rub baby’s back, talk in soothing tones, but do not pick your baby up! Once your baby is settled down, leave the room again.
• Continue to check on baby every 5 minutes if he or she is still crying. This may go on for a while – some of the more stubborn infants will cry for 45 minutes or more, and that’s ok! Checking on your infant every 5 minutes will reassure you that your baby is fine, he or she is just mad. It also reassures your baby that he or she is not abandoned – you are still there for comfort. But keeping your infant in the crib allows them to learn to self-soothe. 
• Repeat this process every night. The first 2-3 nights will be the toughest, but if you stick it out it, they will learn the important skill of falling asleep independently AND you will have less frequent awakenings during the night. 

The key to success is to calm your baby with your presence, but not pick your baby up. Soothe and reassure instead. This is not easy. Not at all. But it’s worth it! You and your child will sleep better and longer. 

Bedtime tips for toddlers

Once your child moves to a “big kid” bed, whether that is a crib with one rail off, a toddler bed, or a regular bed, bedtime can become tricky if you do not already have sleep hygiene well established. Regular beds provide more freedom of movement for your child, and he or she may  get up and down frequently before falling asleep. Just as sleep training is important for infants, a bedtime routine is important for toddlers. 

• Keep a consistent bedtime. This will ensure your child gets enough sleep, and trains your child’s brain to be ready for sleep at a certain time. 
• Follow the same routing prior to bedtime each night. This may include bath time, story time, quiet time snuggling with parents. 
• Make sure to brush your child’s teeth before bed. Do not allow your child to take a bottle or a sippy cup to bed. Clean teeth while sleeping promotes good dental health and helps to avoid cavities. 
• Try to avoid turning on music or other noise for your child to fall asleep with. If this becomes a part of sleep initiation, it will be needed to fall back to sleep again if he or she awakens in the middle of the night. Televisions are not recommended to be in bedrooms.
• After your child turns a year old, allow him or her to pick a favorite stuffed animal or blanket to take to bed. 

Final thoughts

With any age, consistency is the key to good sleep. You and your child will sleep better if you stick to a routine and insist that your child sleep in his or her own space. This process can take time, and can be challenging. Be patient with your child and with yourself. Talk to your child’s Pediatrician if you have further concerns regarding sleep. 

---

If you enjoyed this post, please sign up below to subscribe for blog emails. You will receive notification when new posts are available. If you do not receive a welcome email upon registering, please check your spam folder.