3 Big Reasons Your Toddler Awakens at Night

Toddler Wakes Up At Night

Every 60 minutes—throughout the night—your child enters the light/drowsy part of her sleep cycle. That is when little commotions can cause your toddler to awaken. These disturbances can sneak into her mind from the outside world or they can originate from deep inside her body.

And like the Princess and the Pea, when your sweetie is in light sleep, it takes little—scratchy sheets, a ticking clock, the smell of new furniture, the hall light, a siren down the street—to nudge her from dozing to drama. 

So, get rid of as many outside distractions as you can and crank up the white noise to cover intruding sounds and other distractions you cannot block. But if the night awakening continues, you will want to focus on some disturbances that might be prodding her awake from inside her body.

1. Teething is a Cause of Toddler Night Awakening

When those toddler canines and molars come in, it can be miserable. Like a headache, teething is typically easy to ignore in the daytime but can really throb at night, awakening toddlers.

What to Do If Toddler Night Awakenings Are Caused By Teething?

If you suspect teething is causing the night awakenings, first use a rougher white noise (as loud as a shower) to distract your little angel from her swollen gums. (If you have not used white noise recently, start it slowly). Also, ask your health-care provider about using acetaminophen or ibuprofen half an hour before bedtime.

An Old-School Teething Remedy to Help With Night Wakings

An old-time teething remedy is to dip the corner of a thin washcloth in apple juice and freeze it. Then let your child chew on the frozen cloth. 

2. Hard Poo and Digestive Woes Can Cause Night Waking