Causes of Wakefulness in 1- to 2-Year-Olds
Does your toddler have problems waking during the night? Here's something extra from our November 2010 Growth Spurts: 1 to 2 Years expert, Vanese Delahoussaye, Ed.D.
Snoring — If your child is waking because of snoring, he may have sleep apnea (pauses in breathing), usually because of enlarged tonsils and adenoids. If your child snores, talk with your pediatrician.
Nightmares — Some children are bothered by nightmares as early as 18 months of age. If your child is awakened by nightmares, he may be scared or afraid to return to sleep. You may need to spend extra time comforting him and allowing some time for him to be ready to get back in bed.
Normal toddler development skills — Some of the normal developmental phases, such as separation anxiety, increased drive for independence, increased physical ability, and development of imagination results in your child realizing his ability to get a response from you.
Secondhand smoke — Exposure to secondhand smoke causes poorer sleep quality and is associated with asthma, sleep apnea, and difficulties falling asleep.
Other causes — Other causes might include fear or anxiety; pain, such as teething or earache; illness; becoming cold; not staying covered; restless leg syndrome; or noise.
To Nap or Not?
An overstimulated, overtired child is less likely to fall asleep quickly and sleep through the night. Routine naps or quiet times during the day also help to prevent dinnertime meltdowns which often lead to an earlier than usual bedtime for an overtired and upset child.
My first thought is always hunger when my 2-year-old wakes in the night. Maybe I'm totally wrong! (But she does often refuse dinner. — Jessie, ParentLife Blog Guru) Do you have a "go-to solution" for night wakings?
Photo used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons.
