How To Get A 1 Year Old To Sleep

Why Toddlers Won't Sleep & How to Help Them Fall & Stay Asleep

When things are going well, nighttime tuck-ins are a pure pleasure—but when they're not, it's natural to start to fear seeing the sun go down.

Running after your little wild child, wrestling her into PJs, shutting the bedroom door while she's shrieking on the other side—ugggh!

Many of our little Energizer Bunny toddlers resist bedtime. They hate leaving the thrill of running, climbing, and touching. Around 18 months they start to go through a very independent phase, where "No!" is their favorite word. And the tired-er they get, the more rigid, hyper and irritable they become.

In fact, one poll reported that a third of toddlers— and half of preschoolers —regularly stall at bedtime…and many downright fight it.

Besides this normal defiance, below are common reasons why toddlers fight bedtime and can go through a sleep regression during these years.

Reasons Toddlers Refuse to Go to Bed & Sleep Through the Night

They're over-excited : They're wound up on TV, roughhousing or something they've consumed (like sugary juice , sweet snacks, artificial colors and flavors, cold medicine or a dose of caffeine from soda, iced tea, or chocolate).
Something is bugging them : It could be bright lights, loud noises or discomfort (they're teething , too hot, too cold, has a stuffy nose or itchy PJs, ate dinner too late, etc.).
They're curious and strong-willed : They don't want to go to their room because they want to see what everyone else is doing.
They're hooked on your help : They haven't yet learned how to fall asleep without you rocking, feeding and holding them.
They're going through a fearful stage : They're having difficulty being alone and dealing with a smorgasbord of worries from strangers to dogs to thunder.
Your bedtime timing is off : You're putting them to bed too early (they're not tired) or too late (they're overtired and wired).

But no matter what the reason, there are lots of ways to help them get past these sleep speed bumps and toddler bedtime tantrums. And one of the best ways is to work on bedtime skills — all day long .

How to Get 2- and 3-Year-Old Toddlers to Sleep

It's natural for toddlers to refuse to sleep. If you're trying to figure out how to get your toddler to sleep, then use the tips below.

Stick to a routine. Make sure your toddler has the same wake up and sleep times each day. Also, make sure that their nap time is not too late in the day to avoid any interference with their sleepy time.
Create a calm environment. At least 30 minutes prior to sleep time, make sure to create a calm environment for your toddler. Try reading a book or having them take a bath as part of this routine, avoid high stimulation activities like TV or movies.
Keep a dark and calm bedroom environment . Don't allow your child to watch TV in their bedroom or have any screentime in their bed (phones, tablets, etc). You can have a dim nightlight and soft music, but avoid anything with a screen.
Limit food and drink before bedtime . Do you remember the movie "Gremlins"? One of the rules was not to feed or give them water after a certain time. Practice this rule with your toddler to avoid having them go from cute and cuddly to full Gremlin.
Tuck your child into bed . Make sure to tuck your child into bed while they're in a sleepy state, but still awake. You want them to learn to put themselves to sleep.
Nightmares . If your toddler has a nightmare and runs into your bed, then it's okay to provide your tot refuge under your covers. However, once they have calmed down then they should be placed back into their own bed. Try surrounding them with various items of comfort to make them feel safe and learn to fall asleep on their own.

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.