How Long Does Your Toddler Sleep??

My 19 month-old sleeps from 6:30-6am, with a 2hr nap right after lunch. Sounds like you need to get him to bed earlier, and have a routine. We watch The Wonder Pets at 6pm, then off to bed at 6:30. She knows the drill now. Plus you have to leave them n their crib when they wake that early. Its easier said then done, but you have to! Good Luck.

Every kid is different. It sounds like you are getting him to bed at the right time. I'm not sure about making them stay in bed in the morning. If he is not in a crib then you can forget that. sometimes, daily activity can help get a longer nap. if they have lots of morning activity, the afternoon nap lasts longer. You might try napping early or later to see if that stretches out his nap time. It sounds like you are consistent in your schedule and that's good. Not all kids get 12-14 hours of sleep consistently.

Hi C.,

Sounds like your little guy is on the same schedule mine is and was at 24 mos (he'll be 4 in June). He is just not that into sleeping. He'll go down for about 9 hours at night and take a nap for 1.5 - 2.5 hours. You may want to try adjusting when he has his nap to curb the evening crankies.

I must also respectfully disagree with Donna's post. Everything I have read (and I read A LOT) says naps DO count (total hours slept matters). It's great to think your child could get 12 hours straight at night but if that is not his body's rhythm you can't make his sleep that long. My son has always been on this schedule for a long time and he is developing just fine, mentally and physically.

Here is some info from BabyCenter.com:

"How much sleep does your child need?

As a new parent, that's probably one of your biggest questions. Below are some general guidelines as to how many hours of sleep the average child requires at various ages. Of course, every child is different — some need up to two hours more or less sleep than others.

Age Nighttime Sleep Daytime Sleep * Total Sleep
2 years 11 2 (1) 13

* number of naps in parentheses"

Absolutely 12 straight hours of solid sleep is needed for brain development from infant through early middle school! NAPS DO NOT COUNT!!! During REM sleep, (Rapid Eye Movement) which is a very deep sleep only achieved through that 12 hour period, the brain GROWS the neuron connections. The MORE neuron connections, the smarter your child becomes! Cool huh? This is the only time in the brain's fast growing developmental period will this happen in your child's life. LACK OF SLEEP through this 12 hour period retards the neurons from completing this important connection process. A major missed opportunity!
Yes, your whinny and willful baby is suffering from lack of sleep!
Set a calming routine for bed time. Lavender bath products for babies are great.
Cuddle up and read a favorite book to your child while they are in the bed. This will also develop earlier reading skills as a bonus for your child.
Don't make the mistake of training your baby to only sleep in absolute quiet! I use to vacuum in the room while my boys were sleeping. I could bring them anywhere...even to parties and put them down to sleep without a problem.
At two years, one 1-hour to 1-1/2 hour nap around 12:30 (or right after lunch,)in the afternoon to take the edge off till bedtime is enough. Naps any later than that disrupt night sleep.
Watch your child's diet. NO sugars before bedtime! Protien promotes sleep not to mention warm milk and a teaspoon of straight peanut butter.
Make sure your child gets enough exercise during the day then wind down before it is bath and bed time.
TV stimulates the brain and is a BAD idea before bed time. (This includes any type of video or computer games in the future.)
Start bedtime 15 minutes earlier each night if your child still insists on waking up at 5 am. until you build up to the needed 12 hours of solid sleep.
Don't let your child sleep with you! A major mistake made by many parents!
You have to consider what is going on in the home at 5:00 in the morning that is waking your child up too. Are mom and dad up an getting ready for work? Does you child sleep with you or in the same room? Think about it.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
39 year educator of children,
D. D

What time does he take his nap? I would say a nap an hour or two after lunch would be best.

M.

I would leave him in his bed past 5.30am and let him try to sleep some more. it may take a few days but if you insist on him staying there longer, he will eventually sleep a bit more.

Mine is 2.5 yrs old. She sleeps from 8pm to 10-11am if we let her sleep in. She doesn't take naps. However, at her daycare she will take a nap.

As for your son's early wake up, I would not go in to get him. Perhaps put an alarm clock, and when your desired wake up time comes, it will beep, and that will teach him that it is time to get up and mommy is coming to get him. He may scream and beg for attention the first few mornings, but after a while he will learn you are not coming till that alarm beeps, and go back to sleep (or play). My daughter does that from time to time, and we just don't respond when she gets up early.

Not a solution but do you think it could be the upcoming change in time? 5:30 will become 6:30!

My son will be 24 months on Sunday. He gets about 10 1/2 hours at night(8:30PM-7:00AM) and then he naps from 1-4 and usually gets 2 1/2 to 3 hours then. You didn't mention what time he naps at. I started making my son hang in his room till 6AM and over time he started sleeping later until 7, but not sure if that is why. I don't have much advice except maybe play with the nap time.