2 Year Old Still Not Sleeping Through the Night

Why is my toddler staying up at night?

The dismal remark, "What happened to my good little sleeper?" is not uncommon when your baby turns the corner and enters those toddler years. During this time, toddlers and preschoolers who were once sleeping through the night may begin to struggle with staying asleep at night and the bedtime process itself. The main reason is that children grow and their sleep habits change. And often this change isn't one to take lightly as it can be quite dramatic.

What causes the 2-year-old sleep regression?

Is your child suddenly attempting to delay bedtime, wake overnight or exhibit attention-seeking behaviors? This is a result of your toddler trying to assert their developing independence. This massive mental developmental change occurs around 2 years of age and here are some factors that can contribute to this shift:

1. Developmental Leaps

Language and cognitive abilities are commonly overlooked developmental milestones. But they are the most stimulating and sleep-disruptive. As your toddler is learning an explosion of new owrds and mastering the skill of speaking, it'll be harder for them to wind down to sleep.

2. Environmental Changes in the Home

If there have been recent changes in the home like a new sibling or starting daycare, children will often seek added attention by mom and dad. This can look like bedtime delays, seeking mom or dad overnight for comfort or waking early in the morning.

3. Growing Independence

Testing boundaries come hand in hand with a toddler's increased desire for independence. Bedtime routines are pushed and night wakings become a very disorienting ordeal. This can also be exhibited in the form of tantrums, non-compliance or a convoy of stalling tactics.

4. Transitioning out of the Crib

Graduating from the crib and into a big kid bed is a momentous milestone, but sleep disruptions will often result. This occurs for a few reasons. Children are often transitioned out of their cribs too early or in response to solving the child's poor sleep which often multiplies the sleep disruptions. Or, a toddler who tatstes freedom for the first time may find it all too tempting to stay in bed, making sleep a struggle overall..

5. Imagination and Nightmares

Toddlers begin to develop a much more vivid imagination, and with that comes fears. This is when children begin to fear the dark or find it worries sleeping in the dark or in their own room.

6. Unpredictable Bedtime Routines

Because toddlers can do so much more at this age, it's not uncommon for parents to stray from regular sleep routines and times. When this happens, overtiredness or undertiredness can be a cause for their sleep to suffer. And inconsistent bedtime routines doesn't allow your child to calmly wind down for the night.

7. Sickness

Keeping an active toddler from being sick is next to impossible and the symptoms itself can cause broken sleep. If poor sleep habits are simultaneously created it can cause a cascading effect of poor sleep on weeks to come.

What to do if toddler won't stay in bed?

If you're in a vicous cycle of your 2-year-old waking overnight, here's a few tips that can help:

1. Recreate a Consistent Routine:

If you've always had a solid bedtime routine with you baby, you can get back on track by re-creating a bedtime routine that they your child is a toddler. It will help prime your child so they expect bedtime is approaching. Some calming bedtime routine steps can include a warm bath, reading a book or telling bedtime stories.

2. Establish Clear Boundaries

While it’s pushing limits is a normal part of being a toddler, setting clear expectations and having consistent bedtime guidelines will help to re-establish good sleep habits.

3. Set Screen Limits

To reduce stimulation and exposure to large amounts of blue light, try to reduce screen usage in teh evening leading to bedtime. My recommendaiton is no screens two hours prior to bedtime.

4. Assess Diet

Monitor what your child consumes in the evening, especially before bedtime. Reducing sugar intake in th evenings and avoiding traces of hidden caffeine can help with sleep quality.

5. Promote Staying Active

Having sufficient movement and outdoor time during the day is critical in burning all your toddler's energy. But be careful to avoid overstimulating activies immediately before bedtime.

How long does the 2-year-old sleep regression last?

Sleep regressions can be challenging, but with a few adjustments, often they are temporary. When you understand the possible causes that are creating the sleep disturbances, you can more accurately utilize strategies that can get your child's sleep (and yours!) back on track.

If you find yourself still struggling, remember, I offer a FREE 15-minute sleep assessment to discuss your struggles and how I help toddlers like yours sleep like a champ again. Grab your FREE Sleep Bundle Guide here. For more customized help, have a FREE chat with me to hear how I work 1-1 with families to get better sleep.