It all begins before bedtime. My partner and I have a queen-sized bed with a sidecar twin, yet our 3-year-old still prefers to sleep with us. After nursing him to sleep, I attempt to sneak away for some time with my husband, but as soon as we settle in, our little one starts to stir. His sleep-cry is a mix of fretfulness that could either fade away or escalate into full-blown wails. I reach over to tuck him in and pat him gently, hoping he’ll drift off again. He settles for a moment, but the crying resumes.
As midnight approaches, I realize this child needs to sleep; he was already awake until 9 p.m. I try to wait it out, but the crying intensifies. I offer comfort, but soon he’s kicking and moaning, indicating this night is going to be a long one.
It’s not just infants who face sleep challenges; toddlers and preschoolers do too. By 6 a.m., he’s demanding ‘mama milk.’ I typically reserve nursing for bedtime, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I pull down my tank top, and he latches on like a hungry piranha. After what feels like an eternity — maybe 5 or 15 minutes? — just when I manage to drift off again, he’s hollering for “the other mama milk.” Alright, kid, whatever you say.
I roll him over and repeat the process. Eventually, he decides he’s fully awake and announces, “I awake!” before bounding off to the living room. I can only hope my partner has brewed the coffee before heading to work as I stumble into the hallway.
According to Parents, children aged 1 to 2 years need 11 to 14 hours of sleep, including two naps. Those aged 3 to 5 require 10 to 13 hours, typically with one nap that often disappears around age 5. Unfortunately for us, our son gave up his nap at 2. Experts suggest establishing routines, preventing nighttime escapes, and providing comfort items to soothe nighttime fears.
Parenting author Lisa Harper notes that sleep disturbances in toddlers may stem from a desire for control and autonomy. Factors like a new sibling, starting preschool, dietary changes, or a parent’s return to work can also disrupt sleep. Even potty training, excessive daytime sleep, or an early bedtime might play a role.
None of these explanations seem to apply to my son’s sleep issues. Thanks for nothing, Lisa.
I’m not alone in this struggle. My friend, Tara, shares that her 3-year-old has similar sleep challenges. “He’s impossible to put on a schedule,” she says. After trying various strategies since infancy, she finally decided to embrace the chaos. Now, he’s awake all night and sleeps during the day. I can empathize.
As parenting experts claim, my child should still be napping daily, but we learned the hard way that if he does, he won’t sleep until 1 a.m. Sometimes, we can’t prevent him from dozing off — like in the car — and we just pray he doesn’t nap for too long, or it will disrupt everyone’s sleep schedule.
Sleep expert Dr. Emily Wright from the Pediatric Sleep Institute states that around 40% of children experience sleep problems by age 18, which can affect both the child and the family. That sounds accurate. I’m relieved my kids are getting their sleep difficulties out of the way early.
We faced similar issues with my 7-year-old, who now sleeps soundly through the night. Thank goodness for small victories. I hold out hope that my other children will eventually follow suit — one day, and what a day that will be.
To all the parents of restless sleepers out there, remember you are not alone. Solidarity!
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Summary:
This article discusses the sleep challenges not only faced by infants but also by toddlers and preschoolers. It shares relatable anecdotes from parents struggling with their children’s sleep patterns, emphasizing that sleep issues can arise from various factors. The piece concludes with a message of solidarity for parents experiencing similar struggles and provides links to helpful resources about home insemination and fertility.