How to get my two-year-old to sleep through the night.
Much like snake charming or gator wrangling, getting a two-year-old to sleep through the night is a seriously impressive feat. Toddlers are as unpredictable as a human being can be, and their sleep schedules tend to go right out the window around this age, even if they were great sleepers mere months ago.
The restless nights with a restless two-year-old may feel like the end of the world, but the good news is, there’s a science to sleep—that means there are answers to your unique challenges. Due to their near-constant growth, young children need the highest quality (and quantity of) rest, more than any other stage. So when you have a fussy two-year-old on your hands, hitting that sleep quota often takes a solid understanding of the elements of the equation and some practical professional guidance.
Sound daunting? Don’t panic—we’ve got you! With consistency, patience, and the right routine, your whole household will have sweet dreams again ASAP. Here’s how to get your little one to sleep through the night in their terrible twos.
The importance of sleep hygiene
The term “sleep hygiene” refers to the habits we practice before going to bed that either detract from or improve our overall sleep. Poor sleep hygiene inevitably results in a poor night of rest, while healthy sleep hygiene refreshes you by morning. This lead-up to sleep is crucial to resting well, and intentionally scheduling a wind-down for your tired two-year-old will totally change the way your family approaches bedtime.
Here are some of the most important factors to consider to help everyone get a good night’s rest.
Stick to a consistent routine
This is the #1 piece of advice we give families here at My Sweet Sleeper. Toddlers thrive on routines in general, and when it comes to sleep, their minds and bodies will be able to relax and wind down much more easily when they know what to expect.
A routine could include any steps you like, as long as it’s consistent—meaning it happens at the same time each night and with the same activities to signal toward sleep. In many cases, a sleep routine begins when dinner is over and the final activities of the evening begin. You could incorporate a warm bath, cuddles in bed, reading a short book, or even counting sheep! These activities should promote lowering energy levels, comfort, and peacefulness in the house.
Oh, and remember: when the kids go to bed is often when parents get some time to unwind, so get some headphones if you’re a gamer and avoid bright lights and loud noises.
Avoid sleep-disruptive activities
Avoiding bright screens and active environments goes double when it comes to your toddler’s mental state. Excessive screen time, rambunctious play, and eating or drinking too close to bedtime all negatively impact a child’s ability to fall asleep and continue sleeping uninterrupted.
Similarly, just being in a room with too much light or loud sounds may energize an otherwise sleepy two-year-old. Even if they pass out on your lap during a game and seem to be sleeping like a stone, getting woken up by some ongoing background noise can result in a fussy night. Keep these details in mind when getting them ready for sleep. Your toddler’s routine should prioritize the aforementioned “wind-down” time, which means embracing quiet, low-lit spaces.
Create a comfy environment
In that same vein, you’ll want your kiddo’s room to be conducive to sleep. Everyone rests better in a space that’s designed to facilitate rest. That may mean blackout curtains, lots of soft blankets and comfort toys like stuffed animals, a humidifier or white noise machine, or even glow-in-the-dark stars on their ceiling.
Of course, every child is different, so you’ll have to do some thinking and observing to see what works best in your house. For instance, some kids may want a nightlight, and others might find it annoying and disruptive. In the end, it’s about finding a formula that works for you.
Other ways to support their rest
On top of general sleep issues, some families may need to adjust unhelpful patterns or behaviors that already exist. Specific issues like co-sleeping are fixable if you have a plan, but if they aren’t handled properly, they can actually make the situation worse. In these situations, a certified sleep consultant can make a huge impact on success. These professionals know how to handle unique family situations and common challenges so that everyone can rest easy.
And for parents who are actively working with a two-year-old to sleep through the night, coupling healthy sleep hygiene with a few more tips could be the difference needed to get your little one off to dreamland.
Talk to them about sleep
It’s amazing what a one-on-one conversation with a toddler can do! They’re such vibrant and curious kids at this age, and they can handle a lot more than we realize. The value of talking to your child about their sleep is indescribable, because who knows? They could be struggling with nightmares or sleep-related fears that are only revealed by asking them.
Toddlers are also old enough for you to set boundaries around sleep, such as rules for co-sleeping (if it’s going to continue) and incentives to stay in their big boy or big girl bed if you’d prefer to break that habit.
Follow wake/sleep windows
Toddlers actually adhere to wake/sleep windows even as they grow—they’re not sleeping quite as much as they once did, but there’s still regularity to those windows. Sure, your two-year-old will likely have night wakings that throw everyone for a loop, but they’ll still follow a regular rhythm of wake/sleep hours from day to day, even if that rhythm changes over time.
There are usually observable signs of sleepiness from babies and toddlers, so tune into those signs from your little one to estimate whether or not they’re ready to go down for the night. Though toddlerhood is its own unique challenge, you can refer to wake/sleep windows to schedule bedtime effectively.
Give yourself some grace
Finally, we’re reminding mommies and daddies everywhere that parenting is the hardest job anyone can sign up for, and you’re doing great! This is just one bump in the road that you’ll get through together. Our kids are resilient, but they’re also eager to learn if we provide them with the tools to succeed—and sleep well!
As you navigate sleep regressions with your toddler, be sure to practice what you preach by getting enough sleep yourself. After all, we’re their role models, so demonstrating healthy sleep hygiene as a parent will only enhance your kiddo’s understanding of rest and its importance in our lives. But if you’re looking for extra assistance, look no further than My Sweet Sleeper!
My Sweet Sleeper is here for your family
The “terrible twos” are full of ups and downs, many of which affect your child’s sleep. As moms ourselves, we know where you’re coming from. Balancing sleep is not easy, even if you’ve read all the blogs and watched all the tutorials. Sometimes, we just have to ask for help. And My Sweet Sleeper is here for it!
For parents who want a hands-on, personalized sleep coaching experience, we recommend booking a consultation so that our certified pediatric sleep experts can customize a plan that fits your family’s unique needs. Reach out today to see what we can do for you.
Wishing you and your toddler sweet dreams and restful nights!
Related articles:
How to develop a toddler sleep schedule.
Understanding toddler tired signs and why they are important.
