Have your toddler wake up at the same time each day

Dr Pamela Douglas4th of Oct 202323rd of May 2024

two young children play in the daylight

This page is part of a collection of short articles called Brief & simple, which together make up a quick summary of The Possums Sleep Program in plain language. For comprehensive information and support, please go to The essentials section of The Possums Sleep Program, and begin to work your way through the program's online text and videos.

If your baby has disrupted sleep patterns at night, stick to a regular wake up time. This is how we reset your toddler's body clock.

However, it takes one or two weeks to reset your toddler's body clock. You have to make this change gradually or it can seem too hard for both you and your small child.

Acknowledgements

I'm grateful to Professor Sophie Havighurst, Ros June, and Caroline Ma at Mindful, The University of Melbourne, for their feedback on the articles in the Brief & simple section of The Possums Sleep Program. They helped me keep the language plain and the concepts as accessible as possible. For comprehensive information and support, please go to The essentials section of The Possums Sleep Program, and begin to work your way through the program's online text and videos.

Next up in I would like a brief and simple overview

Problems with toddler day naps

green eyed toddler playing on bed after nap

This page is part of a collection of short articles called Brief & simple, which together make up a quick summary of The Possums Sleep Program in plain language. For comprehensive information and support, please go to The essentials section of The Possums Sleep Program, and begin to work your way through the program's online text and videos.

Sometimes you know that the sleep pressure must be rising because your little toddler is getting rather cranky. This is a time to focus on your toddler's needs for rich and interesting experiences.

A change in activities or offering a snack or starting some very physically active play keeps toddlers going until the sleep pressure is high enough for sleep to come easily, perhaps with a quick lie-down and cuddle.

Of course, some little ones will be ready...

Have your toddler wake up at the same time each day

Acknowledgements

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