Sleep regressions are par for the parenting course. But did you know some children will experience sleep regressions at or around their third year? It's true. One of the last big regressions is the 3-year-old sleep regression, and it can be a doozy.
Preschooler sleep: what you need to knowChildren aged 3-5 years need 10-13 hours of sleep a night. Some might also have a day nap of about an hour. Sometimes preschoolers can take a while to settle and get to sleep.
It turns out that having an early bedtime isn't just a perk that gives you more time to yourself at the end of a long day (although that is a really nice perk). Research has found that a bedtime as early as 6:30 or 7pm is needed for some children.
Sixty percent of four-year-olds still nap. However, by five years of age, most children no longer need naps, with less than 30% of children that age still taking them. The number decreases even more by age six, where less than 10% of children nap. Nearly all children stop napping by seven years of age.
Your preschooler may be fighting sleep simply because she needs time to check in with you at the end of her day. Especially if you work long hours yourself, allot some time before bed to chat with her about goings-on at preschool and to get the scoop on the latest dramas in her social life.
- Stick to a consistent sleep schedule. “The most important thing to ensuring a good sleep for a child is a regular sleep time and regular wake-up time, seven days a week,†says Myron.
- Have a bedtime routine.
- Keep things dark.
- Make some white noise.
- Try a toddler alarm clock.
Preschool (3-5 Years Old)Preschool-aged children who are 3-5 years old should get around 10-13 total hours of sleep per day according to NSF and AASM guidelines. During this time, naps may get shorter, or a preschooler may stop napping20 on a regular basis.
At 5-11 years, children need 9-11 hours sleep a night. For example, if your child wakes for school at 7 am and needs approximately 10 hours sleep per night, your child should be in bed before 9 pm.
Preschooler weight and height chart
| Age | Size | Boys |
|---|
| 2 ½ years | Weight | 30 pounds (13.6 kg) |
| Height | 3 ft (92.1cm) |
| 3 years | Weight | 31 lb 12oz (14.4 kg) |
| Height | 3 ft 2 in (95.3 cm) |
Toddler sleep patterns and behaviours (2 to 3 years)Between the ages of 2 and 3 years, toddlers often sleep 12 to 13 hours in a 24-hour period. This includes 1 to 2 hours during the day, which helps to promote optimal learning and development.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, children aged 3-5 need about 11 to 13 hours of sleep every night. In addition, many preschoolers nap during the day, with naps ranging between one and two hours per day. Children often stop napping after five years of age.
Toddlers need 11-14 hours sleep every 24 hours. Usually this is a sleep of 10-12 hours a night, and a nap of 1-2 hours during the day. Toddlers are developing fast, and their sleep changes a lot at this age.
One of the most important skills you can teach your child is how to go to bed. The main reason bedtime is so important is that it's very hard to be a good parent. Bedtime is important also because it teaches the child a key skill (falling asleep at a set time) for physical and mental health.
If the first nap is on the long end, say 1.5 hours and then struggles for the second nap – either falling asleep or only sleeping for 30 minutes, then you'll want to wake your child from the 1st nap after 1 hour so that he/she is ready for the 2nd nap and it will last longer.
Between the ages of 1 and 2, most kids need about 11–14 hours of sleep a day, including one or two daytime naps. At around 18 months, or sometimes sooner, most toddlers condense their two naps into one afternoon nap. A toddler who fights the morning nap is probably ready for just an afternoon nap.
Signs of Sleep Problems in ChildrenTrouble falling asleep. Problems with sleeping through the night. Trouble staying awake during the day. Unexplained decrease in daytime performance.
Sleep guidelines for preschoolers
| Age | Night-time Sleep | Daytime Sleep |
|---|
| 2 years | 10.5 to 12.5 hours | 1 to 3 hours (1 nap) |
| 3 years | 10.5 to 12.5 hours | 1 to 3 hours (1 nap) |
| 4 years | 10 to 12 hours | 0 to 2.5 hours (1 or no nap) |
| 5 years | 10 to 12 hours | 0 to 2.5 hours (1 or no nap) |
Some kids become unsettled at bedtime because they're longing for more attention from their caregiver. When parents work full time during the day, evenings are when kids get their parents' attention. On the other hand, when a caregiver is home all the time, kids become dependent on the caregiver's presence for comfort.
The NHS advises and safer sleep guidance says that babies should not use pillows or duvets under the age of one, as there is the risk of suffocation if their face gets smothered and they won't be able to push it away. As they move into their own bed from 18 months or over you may want to introduce a pillow and duvet.
The consensus group recommends the following sleep hours:Children 3 to 5 years of age should sleep 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours (including naps) on a regular basis to promote optimal health. Children 6 to 12 years of age should sleep 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours on a regular basis to promote optimal health.
The military method
- Relax your entire face, including the muscles inside your mouth.
- Drop your shoulders to release the tension and let your hands drop to the side of your body.
- Exhale, relaxing your chest.
- Relax your legs, thighs, and calves.
- Clear your mind for 10 seconds by imagining a relaxing scene.
While some toddlers are able to switch into a bed around 18 months, others might not transition until they're 30 months (2 1/2 years) old or even 3 to 3 1/2. Any time between these age ranges is considered normal.
Sometimes life calls and we don't get enough sleep. But five hours of sleep out of a 24-hour day isn't enough, especially in the long term. According to a 2018 study of more than 10,000 people, the body's ability to function declines if sleep isn't in the seven- to eight-hour range.
Preferably, schedule this resting period for the early afternoon, around 1:30 or 2 p.m. It should last just under two hours. A too-late nap can interfere with her ability to sleep at night.
If you're finding your toddler doesn't want to sleep midday, the key might be making sure they get their energy out earlier in the day. Try signing them up for an activity, like toddler tumbling or soccer. The extra physical movement might encourage them to keep napping for a few more months (or years if you're lucky).
Most toddlers this age still need at least one hour-long nap in the afternoon, which may actually help your child fall asleep more quickly and efficiently at night. Even if yours doesn't, a little quiet time — for her and you — won't hurt.
Waiting until your baby is a little older? No worries, but don't wait too long. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests saying bye-bye to the bottle before your baby is 18 months old. "I'd say definitely before age 2, but the sooner the better," says Keith T.
How to Tire Out a Toddler Before Bed
- Active play that really engages the gross motor skills of a child can help make them weary by the end of the day.
- Exercise is not a bedtime activity; parents should avoid encouraging energetic play the last hour before the bedtime ritual starts.
Your child's night-time sleeping habits may be disrupted by their daytime naps. For example, if they don't sleep during the afternoon, you may find they are too tired to eat their evening meal. As they are so tired, you put them to bed early.
Over 90% of 18-month-olds sleep in a crib, but that gradually drops to about 80% at 2 years and 40% by 3 years of age. After the first birthday, it's wise to put the mattress all the way down and make sure your tot doesn't have toys or bumpers to climb on. The top of the crib rail should be above his collarbones.
