Toddler Sleeping Problem - Baby Sleep Problem

By Leeanne Utiger
Some of you who have toddlers or babies, may find you are up all night due to your toddler have problems with their sleeping or your baby with a sleep problem. This is to be expected when you begin to raise a family however, so it is just a matter of getting used to your baby or toddler having sleeping problems. There are ways though that you can ease the sleeping problems that your toddler or baby may be suffering form.

I will address both problems for you individually. First I will cover some information on babies who have a sleep problem, and then I will address the issue concerning toddlers with sleeping problems.

Babies with Sleep Problems:
Any baby is to be expected to wake and have some form of sleep problem while they are growing. This is for a number of reasons and some that are rather obvious. When you first take your baby home from the hospital you will learn how many times a night your baby will need to be fed. Your baby may suffer from a sleep problem if he or she is in fact not getting enough milk in each feed. Your baby could also suffer from a sleep problem if they have developed a nappy rash or is generally feeling unwell. Make sure when you wake with baby for feed times that you always change the nappy you have on your baby, even if it appears to be dry. A wet or soiled nappy can also prevent sleep for a baby and therefore become a problem. With a slightly older baby, sleep problems can occur due to teething. This can be a very painful time for your baby, so always make sure you have some gum coolant on hand (Bonjela) is very good for a baby that is teething. This will sooth the gums on your baby and hopefully alleviate any sleep problems, especially during the night. If you think you have fed your baby enough milk and have in fact changed the nappy on your baby, yet your baby still seems to be having some sort of sleep problem, simply sit up with your baby for a little while and rock him or her back to sleep. Sometimes a simple cuddle is all it will take to put baby to sleep until the next time he or she needs feeding.

Toddlers with Sleeping Problems:
Many toddlers, if not all will go through a stage of having sleeping problems. We do not really know why this is or what in fact causes toddlers to have sleeping problems in all cases. Sometimes we feel children are just acting up, simply because they can and now at this age, can get around by themselves, so like to be able to prove their independence a little. This can be especially trying at bed time, and can cause sleeping problems. By the time you finally get your toddler settled with persistent attempts of placing the toddler back to bed, it can well be past bedtime, therefore making the toddler over tired. This can cause the toddler to wake at strange hours, (therefore have some form of sleeping problem). Other things can cause a toddler to have sleeping problems, things such as a wet bed. No one likes to sleep in a wet bed, so why would a toddler. Having a wet bed will most certainly wake the toddler. Once a toddler is awake it can be very difficult to get the toddler back to sleep. To help alleviate sleeping problems with toddlers, you should get them into a decent routine before bed time. A warm cup of milk or warm hot chocolate will help a toddler to sleep better. Also just prior to placing the toddler to bed, get them into the routine of sitting quietly for a time limit and read them a story. If a toddler has earache of a sore throat, this will also cause sleeping problems. If your toddler seems to be having sleeping problems, and it could be because of a sore ear or throat, check your toddlers temperature. If it is over 38 on the thermometer you should ring for medical advice immediately. At times a dose of Pamol given to your toddler will alleviate any slight temperature that may be causing sleeping problems for your toddler. Toddlers apparently can also have sleeping problems due to 'nightmares'. You simply need to reassure your toddler that you are still there and that you are not going anywhere. Some toddlers just don't like thinking they are alone in a big room by themselves.

I hope what I have mentioned above has helped you understand why toddlers have sleeping problems and why a baby can have a sleep problem also. Bottom line is, both will need constant comfort and you just have to be patient with both baby and toddler to the best of your ability.

See Also:
For more advice on sleeping problems with baby and toddler, refer to:

Toddler and Baby Sleeping Solutions

Copyright © 2006 SelfImprovementGuide.Net - All Rights Reserved.
Any proprietary content contained in this document may not be copied in part or full without express written permission from the publisher.
Contact Us | Terms of Use