Is It Normal for Toddlers to Wake Up at Night? Understanding Night Wakings

Night wakings can leave parents feeling exhausted and uncertain. Your toddler was sleeping well, and suddenly they’re calling for you multiple times each night.
Is this normal? Should you be worried? Occasional night wakings are part of development — but frequent or prolonged sleep issues may signal an underlying cause.
This article explains what’s normal, why it happens, and what parents can do to help children (and themselves) sleep better.

Not all toddlers sleep the same way. Some may sleep 11–12 hours straight, while others wake briefly and resettle themselves.

• 12–18 months: Night wakings usually decrease, though teething or illness can still disrupt sleep.
• 18–24 months: Many toddlers still wake occasionally, but consistent bedtime routines help reduce frequency.
• 2–3 years: Developmental leaps, fears, or changes in routine can cause new sleep disruptions.

👉 Related reading: Why Kids Thrive on Routine

Several factors may explain why your toddler is up at night:

• Hunger or diet. Sugary snacks close to bedtime can cause restless sleep.
• Parent story: Anna, a mother of two from Chicago, noticed that her 2-year-old son, Leo, was waking up three or four times every night. After keeping a food diary, she realized evening cookies were the trigger. By switching to fruit and yogurt before bedtime, Leo’s wakings dropped to once a night within a week.
• Developmental milestones. Learning to walk, talk, or potty train may temporarily disrupt sleep.
• Separation anxiety. Toddlers may wake to seek comfort from parents.
• Overstimulation before bed. Screens, noisy play, or late naps can make it harder to fall back asleep.

👉 Related reading: How to Handle Picky Eaters

Helping a toddler settle at night requires patience. These strategies often work:

• Comfort without overstimulating: keep lights dim and interactions quiet.
• Offer physical reassurance: a brief hug, pat, or calm words are often enough.
• Introduce calming rituals: breathing games, gentle stretches, or a soft bedtime song.

Parent story: David and his partner struggled with their daughter Emily’s frequent wake-ups. At 20 months, she would cry every night around midnight. They introduced a short “goodnight stretch” routine — gentle side bends and breathing together. Within two weeks, Emily was falling back asleep on her own most nights.
👉 Related reading: Dealing with Toddler Sleep Regression

Daytime habits influence nighttime rest. Toddlers who get active play during the day are more likely to sleep well at night.
Tips for parents:
– Keep naps and bedtime consistent.
– Add quiet activities before sleep, like reading or puzzles.
– Replace evening screens with soothing rituals.
Short calm-down sessions — bedtime stretches, breathing practices, or bedtime challenges — can help toddlers recognize when it’s time to wind down. Achievements for completing these rituals make routines feel rewarding and predictable.
Parent story: Sarah, a single mom from London, found that her toddler Noah had unpredictable sleep — sometimes waking 5–6 times. She began using a simple bedtime challenge: after a quiet story, they did one “achievement” exercise, like a plank hold for 10 seconds. Noah loved earning stickers for completing it. Soon, he was looking forward to bedtime instead of resisting it.

Most night wakings are normal, but talk to your pediatrician if you notice:
– Loud or frequent snoring
– Breathing pauses
– Persistent nightmares or terrors
– Daytime fatigue or major behavior changes
These symptoms may point to medical conditions such as sleep apnea.

Occasional night wakings are a normal part of toddlerhood. With a few simple changes, parents can help their children settle more easily and sleep longer stretches.
Small achievements, calming rituals, and consistent routines make toddlers feel safe — and give families more rest.
👉 Download our app to explore playful bedtime routines, gentle challenges, and achievements that support healthier sleep for your child.