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My toddler isn't sleeping - what could be wrong?

Sleep disturbances are normal on occasion for all toddlers. However, when your child is not sleeping properly, you are usually not sleeping properly as well and you want to get to the bottom of the problem.

There are many things that could be causing your toddler to have sleep problems. Here are a few of the most common.

The first thing to consider is their health. Is there a physical problem that is causing the sleep disturbance? Look for signs of ear infections, tummy aches, and colds.

When your toddler is teething they will undoubtedly have sleep disturbances. It hurts when new teeth are coming in. Use over the counter remedies or ice chews to ease the pain.

Overstimulation is a very common cause of sleep problems in toddlers. If your toddler is overly stimulated in the evening before bedtime, it is very likely this could be the problem. Develop an evening ritual, such as reading a book. This will calm your child down and gets them into a restful state of mind before bed.

Your toddler may also be at the age where they begin to have wild imaginations. When this happens, many toddlers will become scared of the dark or scared of the monster in the closet. They could lie awake in bed for hours. You must talk your child through this fear and consider adding a nightlight to their room.

More questions

Nightmares generally occur in the middle of the night or in the early morning. 
When is the right time to move your toddler from the cot?
 Up until 2 years of age, a child needs about 14 hours of sleep a day, most of which should be at night.
The best way for your child to sleep well is to develop a daily routine
If you can’t get your toddler to sleep through the night then it may be necessary to adjust his or her nap times during the day
Different children nap for different lengths of time at different times of the day but the most important factor is daily routine and consistency
There are many reasons you’re toddler may not be sleeping but also many simple solutions for this frustrating problem
When and how to make the transition from crib to bed
Benefits of having the right lighting in your little one’s room at bedtime
A guideline to knowing how much sleep your child needs and ensuring he or she is well rested

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