Toddler not Sleeping Through the Night

Sleep deprivation is not a problem which only adults face. Apparently, even toddlers face this problem, thereby causing parents to stay awake all night. Those parents who assume that they are the only ones facing this problem, here's a revelation. A study has revealed that only 6 out of 24 toddlers actually sleep through the night. A child goes through several phases in the process of growing up. Not sleeping through the night as a toddler should, is one such phase.

Why is my Toddler not Sleeping?

Some of you may have noticed that your toddler slept better as an infant. However, several developments in their system in accordance with their response to these changes, can be the cause of them staying awake throughout the night. Once you discover the reasons for your toddler not sleeping at night, you can find ways of changing this habit into one that is healthier, and allows for a good amount of sleep.

• Toddlers are usually light sleepers. They tend to wake up at the slightest sound, and sometimes even when they are hungry. They may wake up because they are feeling cold, or just to go to the washroom, but may be unable to go back to sleep.
• Sometimes, because of the pressure parents put on their children, while undergoing toilet training, they may not sleep through the night for fear of wetting the bed. This is a form of anxiety, due to which your toddler may not be sleeping through the night anymore.
• When children begin to realize that they are capable of doing things on their own, they suffer from what is called 'separation anxiety'. This is so, because they begin to feel alienated from their parents and are unable to cope with it easily. As a result, on learning that now, they even have to sleep alone, your child may not want to sleep in his or her own bed. It is this fear of being alone that may be the reason for your toddler not sleeping throughout the night.
• As they grow, toddlers begin to understand dreams and nightmares. This may be one more reason they are unable to sleep through the night.
• Even a bad diet may cause stress, thereby being a reason.
• Constipation in toddlers, or any other illnesses, could also be a reason that is keeping your child awake through the night. Even growing phases, such as teething, can be a reason.

Though a phase, as a parent, it is important that you ensure a gradual change in your toddler's sleeping pattern, because lack of sleep can result in aggression, tantrums, mood swings and lethargy, which can also culminate into full-fledged sleep disorders.

How do I get my Toddler to Sleep at Night?

It is unfortunate that, unless certain measures are taken, no miraculous occurrence will suddenly begin, to make your toddler sleep through the night. As it has been mentioned before, this may be a phase. But nonetheless, it has to be taken care of. Once you identify the reasons for your toddler not sleeping through the night, implementing certain steps will help you overcome this problem. This will not only help your toddler, but you too, to regain your precious nights sleep.

• It is important, that you do not reinforce the pattern of your toddler awakening every night. Do not reward this behavior by rushing every time you hear him or her wake up.
• Avoid the habit of watching T.V. before sleeping. It is one of the reasons that can cause nightmares and anxiety in your toddler.
• If hunger is one of the reasons your toddler is not sleeping well at night, you can overcome this problem by increasing his/her meals during the day. This will keep him/her sufficiently full, and avoid the problem of waking up at night.
• Encourage some kind of physical activities at some time during the day, so as to tire your toddler and help him/her sleep soundly through the night.
• Unwinding before bedtime is a good way to help your toddler sleep through the night. Reading a bedtime story together, even singing a lullaby, can soothe his/her mind and help in sleeping through the night without any disturbances.

You cannot eliminate this problem completely. Rather, think of it as a developmental spurt. Don't be too stringent with your toddler. He/she is a toddler only once, and you can definitely allow him/her the privilege of troubling you once in a while.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, intend to replace the advice of a medical expert.