Sleep

According to parenting expert, Elizabeth Pantley, author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution, a child aged between 18 months to two years requires an average night time sleep of between 11-12 hours. They also should have one or two daytime naps of up to an extra two and a half hours.

All up, a young child should have a total of between 13-14 hours of sleep out of 24. That’s a lot! But they (and you) need it. If a young child of this age is not regularly getting close to this amount, then everyone in the home is likely to be chronically sleep-deprived.

Some behavioural signs are easy to recognise – your child may be whingey, clingy, irritable, and throw tantrums. They might fall asleep in the car, in front of the television or at the dinner table. In short, they’re grumpy, difficult to please and horrible to be around!

Other signs are less easily picked and often surprise parents. Overtired children often don’t act tired (in a way that adults recognise), instead they may resist sleep or become hyperactive. Some parents fall into the trap of keeping their child up till late in the evening, in the vain hope that a delayed bed time will mean their child will stay asleep.

The real truth about sleep is that a child who isn’t getting enough sleep has poor quality sleep when they finally do succumb. They are more likely to wake frequently, have restless sleep or ‘bad dreams’. 

Conversely, the more sleep a child has, in naps and at night, the more their sleep quality will improve (sleeping longer and with less waking) – resulting in improved mood and behaviour; and a much happier and cooperative child.

Top tips to improve bedtime

1. Make sure children are physically tired from an active day.
2. Encourage day time naps (or even just a rest) until at least age three and older – power naps are good for any age.
3. Help set body clocks by dimming lights an hour before bedtime, and put blinds up in the morning for strong light.
4. Pay attention to what is eaten just before bedtime - warm milk aids sleep, sugary snacks do the opposite.
5. Have a set time for wake up and bed time so that their body becomes used to a consistent time – and certainly no later than 7.30 pm at night.
6. Create a cosy nest – warm and comfy bedding, soft lighting, and tidy toys away.
7. Routine, routine, routine – make bedtime simple, predictable, peaceful. Bath, brush teeth, story time, a kiss for dolly and teddy and a cuddle goodnight.

The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers by Elizabeth Pantley, McGraw-Hill.

The information provided in this article is intended as a guide only. Always consult your doctor if you or your child is suffering any medical complaint. Any websites referred to by Australian Family contain information moderated by government and medical institutions or organisations.

This article was first published in Australian Family Magazine, May 2009. Updated July 2009.