How to Find the Right Bedtime for Your Toddler

Toddler Bedtime

Sometimes when we are 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 awaken in the middle of the night. That is 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 toddlers, lights-out is around 9pm (give or take thirty minutes), but pushing it later or trying to force it earlier may lead to more middle-of-the-night awakening! I have found the sweet spot tends to be around 8–8:30pm, but every child is different. 

Is your toddler bedtime too early?

For most toddlers, it is too much to ask for them to snooze straight through from 7pm till 7am It is just more sleep than they need. Signs that your bedtime may be too early include:

• Your toddler fights falling asleep for 30-60 minutes.
• She shows no sign of fatigue at bedtime.
• She awakens 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 awaken your toddler 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 awakening in the morning; she is extra cranky and moody during the day; and she falls asleep during car or pram 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 is sleep disturbances like nightmares, confusional arousals, and night terrors.   

Helpful tips beyond toddler bedtimes...

If you are 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 behaviours in your toddler.

Avertissement : Les informations présentes sur notre site ne constituent PAS des conseils médicaux pour une personne ou une condition spécifique. Elles sont uniquement destinées à titre d'information générale. Si vous avez des questions médicales et des préoccupations concernant votre enfant ou vous-même, veuillez contacter votre fournisseur de soins de santé. Le lait maternel est la meilleure source de nutrition pour les bébés. Il est important que, en préparation et pendant l'allaitement, les mères adoptent une alimentation saine et équilibrée. La combinaison de l'allaitement au sein et au biberon dans les premières semaines de vie peut réduire la production de lait maternel de la mère et il est difficile de revenir sur la décision de ne pas allaiter. Si vous décidez d'utiliser une préparation pour nourrissons, vous devez suivre les instructions avec soin.