Can you sleep train a toddler?
Spoiler alert: YES!!
Like we always say, when you sleep train a toddler, we talk all about behavior modification and changing habits. There isn’t an age where you can’t change a habit!
So it’s not too late, you haven’t missed the boat, and you CAN improve sleep for your toddler/preschooler. Let me walk you through a common sleep consultation I have with toddler families!
This case study is on a 3 year old who was an independent sleeper since 4 months of age for both naps and night time sleep. He is sleeping in a toddler bed and now is having bedtime battles, difficulty falling asleep independently and wakes up multiple times during the night. His parents have resulted in sleeping on a floor bed next to him. After he falls asleep, his parents “sneak out of the room” but due to the multiple night wakings his parents now stay in the room with him throughout the night.
Current bedtime routine for toddler:
Bath with sibling
Lotion
Pull up and jammies on
read story
sleep sack on
light off
talk about our day (1 min of highlights from the day), water, sing a song, get in bed and say sleepy cue “night night I love you”
Parents goals for toddler sleep training:
Child getting enough sleep
Child able to be calm when we leave the room/able to be calm in room when still awake
Less to no frequent middle of the night wake ups
Not screaming for us to come back in the room when he needs us
Able to put self to sleep from awake without us in the room
Analysis:
Separation Anxiety: child’s resistance to bedtime and his reliance on his parents to fall asleep (all of a sudden) plus information from his intake form regarding not wanting to leave his parents to go to school now all indicate separation anxiety. This anxiety can make it challenging for him to feel secure and comfortable enough to fall asleep independently.
Sleep Associations: his reliance on his parents to fall asleep suggests that he now has developed a sleep association. These associations can make it difficult for him to fall asleep without their presence and fall back asleep when he wakes during the night because they were there when he fell asleep.
Sleep Consultant Recommendation for Sleep Training a Toddler:
Gradual Withdrawl Technique: Chair method.
Social Story (to help with the separation anxiety): A social story for children is a tool used to help them understand and navigate situations. It is a short narrative that describes a specific scenario often accompanied by pictures or illustrations. The purpose of a social story is to provide children with clear and concise information about what to expect in a given situation, how to behave and what is expected of them.
You may change the social story a few times as you move the chair out of the bedroom.
Positive Reinforcement is optional and dependent on child!
Visual Schedule: Help with bedtime battles. Have a picture schedule for your child to independently tell you their sleep routine. This will allow them to have “control” of the bedtime routine.
Results after two weeks of sleep training a toddler:
This little guy was going to sleep independently, LOVED his social story, and sleeping through the night until his light turned green and he could leave his room. Gone were the bedtime battles, middle of the night wakings, and he had an easier time transitioning away from parents at daycare which was a HUGE bonus!
Sleep training a 3-year-old can be challenging, but with a consistent bedtime routine, a sleep-friendly environment, and gradual transitions, you can help your child become an independent sleeper (again). Remember to stay firm with boundaries yet gentle, address any sleep associations, and be patient throughout the process.
Ready to transform your toddler’s sleep habits? Set up a 15 minute chat here!
