5 Tips When You Have a One Year Old Not Sleeping Through the Night

When You Have a One Year Old Not Sleeping Through the Night

Getting your toddler sleeping through the night is a rite of passage for most parents. When you have a one year old not sleeping through the night, you start to panic.

Everyone knows toddlers are full of an endless supply of energy. As soon as they can walk, a whole new world opens up for them! The only downside is that the bursts of energy eventually lead to mid-day naps that will at times…mess up their sleep patterns. This can lead to all sorts of frustrations for parents, whom, after a very long day of giggling and chasing after their little cherub faster than a speeding bullet – just want a break.

It never changes how much a parent loves and adores their little one, but everyone deserves to relax once in awhile (especially a parent new to child-rearing). The evening hours are meant to be just for that. So, how does one encourage their child to jump into their bed with joy every night? Below are 5 tips to help encourage a positive association with a good night’s sleep. They’ll get your toddler sleeping through the night so fast, that your one year old not sleeping through the night, will be a distant memory.

1. Stay Consistent with the Time

The human body needs time to adjust to the desired bedtime hour. If a set schedule of sleep becomes interrupted, say for a nap after a busy day, your child will naturally be completely revitalized. Well that may not be so bad if it’s early afternoon but if it’s in the evening it’s a parent’s worst nightmare!

To combat this problem, choose a time when your child can sleep at the same time every night (or as close to it as you can get). This consistency will help your child’s body clock re-adjust and he or she will begin to feel tired on their own each night. After about a week or two, this will get your toddler to sleep through the night.

2. Bust Out the Lavender Lotion

The scent of lavender is very calming but toddlers can be sensitive to scented things. Be sure to keep an eye out for sniffly noses, as that may be a sign of an allergy sensitivity. If your child seems okay with it, try putting on some lavender lotion after a warm bath, just before bedtime. The ritual and feeling of a massage after bath time could be just the thing to get your toddler to sleep through the night.

3. Encourage Storytime

Storytime is a great way to spend time together after a nice long bath. Not only will your child enjoy looking at the illustrations, but he or she will be learning how to read too! It’s an excellent way to bond, but some children don’t have a strong interest in reading.

So, what if your toddler doesn’t like to read? Simply choose a quiet activity that encourages being calm. Is your child artistic? Why not try a coloring sheet?  Drawing requires focus and eventually your child will begin to feel sleepy without even realizing it. What a creative way to get your toddler to sleep through the night!

4. Avoid Electronics

Recent studies suggest that children who play on the computer or watch TV shows on a tablet or other handheld device actually become too stimulated to sleep. So instead of boring them into a slumber, they get wired instead!

Children also get a wild burst of energy before bedtime, naturally. This is a sign they are overtired. They will wear themselves out at that point even though sometimes it may feel like getting them into bed is reverse robbery.

5. If All Else Fails…There’s Always Melatonin

This is a last resort if you’ve tried everything else and you can’t get your toddler to sleep through the night. Melatonin works to reset the body’s natural sleep cycle, but beware, if your child is a type one diabetic, don’t use it! Always check with your doctor first before introducing any kind of new medicine or supplement.

Need more ideas on how to get your toddler to sleep through the night? Our friends at Zero to Three have some great responses to FAQs for sleep challenges for all ages!

Check out our Instagram Reels where we do Art Activities like designing a custom coloring sheet, mentioned above!

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