Supporting Your Toddler's Sleep: Common Questions, Expert Answers
Ask The Expert
Supporting Your Toddler's Sleep: Common Questions, Expert Answers
by Dr Petrina Wong, Pediatrician
-------------------------------------
This article is for general health information only and does not constitute medical advice. The views expressed are those of the doctor and reflect her professional opinion. She contributed to this article in her independent professional capacity. The views expressed are her own and do not represent the views of Nestlé, nor do they constitute an endorsement of any Nestlé brand or product. Parents should consult their healthcare professional for personalised advice. Breastfeeding is best for infants
Why Toddler Sleep Matters More Than You Might Think
Sleep is one of the most important contributors to your toddler's health, development and wellbeing. During sleep, your child's brain consolidates new things he has learnt, his body repairs and grows, and new memories are quietly being built. A well-rested toddler is not just a happier toddler – he is also better able to manage emotions, engage with the world around him, and thrive through the busy, stimulating days of early childhood.
Research suggests that toddlers benefit from between 11 and 14 hours of total sleep in a 24-hour period, including daytime naps. Yet for many families, achieving this feels like a constant challenge. Bedtime resistance, night wakings, early rise times, and nap transitions are among the most common concerns parents raise. The reassuring truth is that most toddler sleep challenges can be resolved with a consistent routine, a little patience, and the right guidance.
Here, Dr Petrina Wong, a Pediatrician from the Petrina Wong Clinic for Children, Respiratory & Sleep answers the questions parents ask most, offering practical, reassuring advice that stays close to what the evidence supports.
Q: My toddler drifts off in my arms when I put him to sleep at bedtime, but wakes fully when I try to put him down on the bed,and cries until I pick him up again. Is there anything I can do?
A: This is a very common problem that caregivers face. This is a learned sleep association. What is happening here is that your toddler has learned to fall asleep while being held in your arms, and is not able to fall asleep in any other way.
The approach is to help your child learn to fall asleep by himself. Put your little one down when he is sleepy, but not fully asleep. Having a favourite toy close by helps. For a start, you can also stay in the room to offer quiet reassurance. Your child would gradually learn to fall asleep without needing to be held. Over time, gradually shorten the amount of time you stay in the room, and keep checking on him if needed. It may not work on the first few nights (do expect some resistance and crying!), but with a regular routine, your toddler will soon learn to fall asleep on his own (Parents: be persistent, keep calm, and persevere!).
Q: Bedtime has become a long negotiation with my toddler— one more story has turned into three bedtime stories, another drink of water, and hugging every stuffed animal he owns. How do I manage this?
A: Keep bedtime routines between 20-30 minutes on average, not longer. The routine may include a warm bath, a gentle massage, changing into pyjamas, a short story or a song (for the younger ones), a goodnight hug, and then ‘lights out’. The specific steps matter less than doing them in the same order every night.
“Bedtime delaying” behaviour is common, as your toddler grows in independence and learns how to test boundaries. Pre-empt some of these requests by working them into the regular bedtime routine from the start. If a drink of water and a favourite story is already part of the plan for the night, there is less room to negotiate ‘extras’. Be sure to recognize what he enjoys and set gentle but clear limits. Toddlers thrive when they know what to expect, and a consistent bedtime routine is one of the most effective tools for a calmer bedtime.
Q: After months of sleeping through the night, my toddler is suddenly waking again and crying until I go to him. I thought we were past this. What can I do?
A: The return of night wakings can feel disheartening, but it is rarely a step backwards. One of the most common causes is a change of routine, an illness, a return from an overseas holiday, or a change in the sleeping environment/caregiver. If something has changed, a toddler may simply need some extra comfort and time while he readjusts.
Try to resist the temptation to pick him up each time, as this may encourage negative sleep associations. The key is to do brief check-ins in the night to make sure he is safe and not ill, and gradually encourage a return to the routine that was familiar and reassuring for him.
Q: My almost two-year-old still takes two naps a day. Should I be reducing this to one?
A: Take your cues from your toddler. If he is still taking two naps and sleeping well at night, there is no need to make any changes. Some toddlers do naturally cut down to one nap at around 15-18 months old, but there is no fixed rule. Every child is different, and there is no right or wrong here.
Dr Petrina Wong
Consultant Paediatrician
Petrina Wong Clinic for Children, Respiratory & Sleep
6A Napier Rd, #05-35B Gleneagles Hospital Annexe Block, Singapore 258500
Website: drpwong.com
Sources
Hirshkowitz M, Whiton K, Albert SM, et al. National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary. Sleep Health 2015; 1(1):40-43.
Kitsaras G, Goodwin M, Allan J et al. Bedtime routines child wellbeing & development. BMC Public Health 2018; 18 (1):386. doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5290-3
Mindell JA, Williamson AA. Benefits of a bedtime routine in young children: Sleep, development, and beyond. Sleep Med Rev 2018; 40:93-108.
