Putting a toddler to bed can be tricky.

And if your toddler is between the ages of 2 and 4, they’ll likely need about 10 to 14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.(4)

So how can you make naps or bedtime a treat, not a battle?

It may take some trial and error, and it will definitely take a whole lot of patience and love. But after experimenting with different approaches, you’ll get your toddler’s nap and bedtime routines down pat.

First things first, let’s make sure your toddler’s room is set up safely so they can sleep soundly. They are, after all, notorious explorers. So all that baby proofing you did may need to be kicked up a notch once you have an active toddler.

Making Your Toddler’s Bedroom Safe

Your baby is no longer, well, a baby! Luckily your toddler is no longer at risk for SIDS,(1) but he is more agile and active. So let’s discuss how to create a safe sleeping space as your little one grows.

Double check that your toddler’s crib isn’t near anything he or she can pull on like blinds, cords, or hanging mobiles. Ensure that objects like plants, books, or picture frames aren’t nearby for your curious toddler to push or pull into his crib or on the floor. And don’t keep anything in the crib that could help your toddler climb out. As you already know, toddlers love to explore! He’ll be tempted to stand on stuffed animals, crib bumpers, or pillows to help him climb out of his crib.

Let’s save the big adventures for when mom or dad are around to supervise, shall we?

When Should You Switch to a Toddler Bed?

About one-third of toddlers move to a toddler bed when they’re between the ages of 18 months and 24 months. (2) Another third will transition between the ages of 2 and 2.5.(2) But many sleep experts recommend that you wait until your child is 3 years old (or close to it) before transitioning to a toddler bed.(3)

When you decide to transition your child from a crib to a bed is a personal choice. But if your toddler isn’t attempting to escape his crib, it might be wise to wait as long as you can before transitioning to a bed. Research shows that toddlers in Western countries who sleep in cribs are more likely to have earlier bedtimes and take less time to fall asleep than those who sleep in a bed.(3) They also wake up fewer times in the night and stay asleep for longer stretches of time.(3)

Place the crib mattress on the lowest setting to try to keep your toddler from climbing out of his crib and going on unsanctioned nighttime strolls. But if that doesn’t work and he’s still able to climb out, you may need to transition to a toddler bed.

Create a Toddler Bedtime Routine Chart

Children often struggle with time management. (Who am I kidding, even adults struggle with this!) So having a picture chart of your child’s bedtime routine taped up somewhere where they can see it might be helpful. The picture chart can include things like, “take a bath” and “brush your teeth” and “put on your pajamas” so they know what to do when. After you give them a bath, ask them if they remember what’s next in their routine. If they don’t, remind them to reference the routine chart!

Let your toddler pick their own pajamas and stuffed animal to sleep with as part of their bedtime routine. Giving them the choice might make them happy, and it also gives them the opportunity to practice autonomy.

Most kids like to be read a story or sung a lullaby before bed. Allow your toddler to pick the book, but you pick how many you’re going to read from or how many songs you’re going to sing. Keep firm with this boundary so your child knows what to expect.

How to Tackle Toddler Sleep Regression

Sleep regression is common among children and can happen at 12, 15, and 18 months.(16) It’s also common when your child is 2 and 3 years old.(16) Usually sleep regression only lasts a few weeks. It’s essentially a disruption in your child’s regular sleep schedule so they’re waking up in the night, rising super early in the morning, or refusing naps.(16) It’s unpleasant for parents because it means you’re dealing with an unusually fussy or cranky toddler. And it also will probably disrupt your sleep schedule as well.

Sometimes separation anxiety can cause sleep regression. Toddlers go through this just like babies do. You may find your toddler becomes more clingy or cries for you more often at bedtime because they don’t want to be away from you.(16) Nightmares, potty training, teeth coming in, and other changes that happen during toddlerhood can all play a role in your toddler’s sleep regression.(16)

The faster you can identify the sleep regression, the faster you can address it.

If your toddler is afraid of the dark, for example, can a night light comfort him? What about leaving a light on in the hall? A toddler who is switching from a crib to a bed may go through a longer sleep regression because it’s a big transition. Make sure to also limit screen time and TV before bed as well so you’re not overstimulating your toddler’s brain before bed.

If your child is nervous about sleeping alone, try tucking them in and letting them know you’ll check on them in a couple of minutes.(17) When you do a check-in, it’s brief, no more than 1 to 2 minutes.(17) If your child calls out in the night, don’t reward it with too much attention. Be reassuring but firm. Resist the urge to let your toddler into your bed.(17) You’re keeping a boundary – your toddler has to stay in bed – but you’re also being tender and showing them you’re confident they can handle sleeping alone.

Pretty soon you’ll be able to do brief check ins from the door, and eventually, you won’t have to do check ins at all.

Sleep regressions can also show up as nap refusal.

Just because your toddler is putting up a fight at nap time doesn’t mean you should get rid of naps altogether just yet.(15) Typically, a child won’t need to stop napping until they’re about 4 or 5.(13) 60% of 4-year-olds still take naps and 30% of 5-year-olds still take naps, compared to only 10% of 6-year-olds. If your young toddler is refusing naps, it may be because she’s overtired rather than no longer needing her afternoon snooze. Or she may just not want to miss out whatever fun she thinks the family is having. But it’s best to stick to the nap schedule, despite her protests.(13)

Interested in Learning More?

Check out this podcast episode for more information on toddler sleep, including research about how cribs can support your toddler’s sleep quality and how toddler sleep schedules vary from culture to culture.

Equip yourself with knowledge and tools to help your child thrive. And be sure to subscribe to the Genius Little Minds podcast so you never miss an episode!

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