How to Find the Right Bedtime for Your Toddler
Toddler Bedtime
Sometimes when we’re trying to understand why a child is fighting bedtime, we tend to overlook the obvious: we picked the wrong time! But with flexibility being the name of the game when parenting a toddler, you may wonder if they should have a “set” bedtime at all.
Should toddlers have a bedtime?
Toddlers (ages 1 to 5) sleep about 12 to 14 hours a day (including naps), but without a solid sleep plan, half of them will wake up in the middle of the night. That’s why having a toddler bedtime not only reduces tuck-in troubles, it can also help the whole family catch more ZZZ’s. Not to mention, routines are incredibly comforting to toddlers. So pick a bedtime that works for your toddler, and try to stick to it!
What time should a toddler go to bed?
For most tots, lights-out is around 9 p.m. (give or take thirty minutes), but pushing it later or trying to force it earlier may lead to more middle-of- the- night waking! I’ve found the sweet spot tends to be around 8–8:30 p.m., but every child is different.
Is your toddler bedtime too early?
For most toddlers, it’s too much to ask for them to snooze straight through from 7 p.m. till 7 a.m. It’s just more sleep than they need. Signs that your bedtime may be too early include:
- Your tot fights falling asleep for 30-60 minutes.
- She shows no sign of fatigue at bedtime.
- She wakes up in the middle of the night or very early the next day, refreshed and ready to go.
Is your toddler bedtime too late?
Overtired children often get more hyper. Rather than winding down, they get wound up! This leads to bedtime resistance, and the memory of these struggles can reverberate throughout the nighttime and actually wake your tot when she enters one of her light stages of sleep in the middle of the night. Here are some clues that your toddler’s bedtime is too late:
- Your child fights falling asleep for 30-60 minutes.
- She has trouble waking in the morning; she’s extra cranky and moody during the day; and she falls asleep during car or stroller rides.
- She shows clear signs of fatigue at bedtime (rubbing her eyes, blinking, yawning, getting silly and wild, acting cranky, having accidents).
How to find out the right bedtime for your toddler:
If you think bedtime is too early, try pushing the bedtime routine 15 minutes later, 2-3 nights. If you think bedtime is too late, start the routine 15 minutes earlier every 2-3 nights. Either approach should work within a week or two.
Is there a sleep regression at 3 years old?
There are a number of things that disturb a toddler’s sleep. Toddlers love running, dancing, and exploring—and they can be pretty rigid in their reactions to your requests—all of which can add up to rebellion at bedtime! This is why establishing a routine is highly important. Another contributing factor are sleep disturbances like nightmares, confusional arousals, and night terrors.
Helpful tips beyond toddler bedtimes...
If you’re still having difficulty with your toddler’s sleep or tantrums, then you may be interested in learning more about one of the top toddler books. “Happiest Toddler on the Block” provides all of the information you need to communicate and instill good behaviors in your toddler.
Have questions about a Happiest Baby product? Our consultants would be happy to help! Submit your questions here.