As many parents can tell you, toddler sleep problems are very common. When children this age start to explore their world as well as their autonomy, it is not uncommon for them to develop disturbances during their daytime or nighttime rest periods. Although these problems will sometimes solve themselves over time, others persist and become a real challenge for parents and children alike. The good news is that there ARE steps you can take to help identify and solve these issues.
If the toddler sleep problems in your home are as simple as nightmares, this is something that most kids will grow out of. Nightmares are the natural result of your toddler beginning to really explore their imagination. This is a problem that can resolve itself in a matter of weeks or months, though it is certainly not a fun time for anyone!
Other toddler sleep problems develop as a result of your child’s growth and their changing bodies. The toddler period is a common age for allergies, and real issues can develop with regards to breathing, swallowing, and snoring. If you suspect that your toddler’s sleep challenges might be physiological in nature, you should make an appointment to see your family doctor.
While some children DO have a physiological reason that they do not sleep through the night, others simply refuse to stay in their own beds. Many children never learn to rest on their own without the help of their parents, and for many parents it isn’t until the toddler years that they finally decide that their child needs a bed of their own!
Solving toddler sleep problems of this nature can be a real challenge, but there are definitely some time-tested strategies that have been proven to work. Mostly, they involve a strong will on the part of parents, as you’ll eventually have to insist that your toddler sleep in their own bed.
Many parents of toddlers have found success using The Sleep Sense Program,” an online resource created by professional infant and child sleep consultant Dana Obleman.