Logo - The Possums baby and toddler sleep program.

the possums
sleep program

find essentialsbrowse the programabout the programspeak to dr pamaudiologin / sign up

search for articles

  • toddler sleep (12-36 months)
  • body clock reset

Why it's best not to be constantly trying to reset your toddler's body clock

Dr Pamela Douglas17th of Sep 202323rd of May 2024

mum and dad walk while holding one of each of their toddler's hands

Sometimes you might find that you are constantly trying to reset your toddler's body clock, week after week. This ongoing struggle feels not only exhausting, but demoralising. (Or depressing.)

In The Possums Sleep Program, a reset occurs through a one or two week period of change. Doing a reset requires some planning, and may even require bringing in extra help for that week or two, if you can, depending on your situation. A reset can feel intense.

But after you come out the other side, the days and nights will be much more manageable. You continue to use your new understandings about how to keep your toddlers body clock and sleep pressure functioning in sync with your own sleep, but life is generally easier (- still exhausting, still tough sometimes, but more manageable).

The most common reason why families find themselves dealing with excessive night waking is because in our society we're taught that toddlers should be sleeping for longer than they actually need in a 24-hour period. But it could be that you're having a hard time believing your toddler needs even less sleep in a 24-hour period, given all the advice out there telling you otherwise.

Here are the most common reasons why you might find yourself accidentally caught into a constant effort to reset your toddler's body clock, and what you could do to change this.

Part of the day you find you're constantly trying to reset My guess as to why (though only you know!) What to try
Having trouble getting your toddler up at the same time in mornings Exhaustion. You don't have support in the mornings Read here for a list of strategies. Do you have someone who can come into the house early each day or stay, just for a week while you do a reset?
Having trouble pushing your toddler's bedtime back in the evening Exhaustion. You're desperate for a break Read here for a list of strategies. If you are alone in the evenings is there someone who can come for the evenings or stay with you or whom you can visit, just for a week while you do a reset?
Your toddler dials up a lot whenever you try to push daytime naps back a little later, for instance to consolidate naps into a lesser number of naps, or into a single nap Exhaustion. It's awful when he dials up so much and it's been going on week after week. You worry about how it's affecting him and his development This when an extra big effort to increase sensory motor nourishment as your toddler's sleep pressure climbs is very helpful. You can find out more here, and here , and here.
Your toddler dials up when you wake him from daytime naps, which makes you think she needs more sleep Exhaustion. It's awful when she dials up so much and it's been going on week after week. You worry about how it's affecting him and his development This is also when an extra big effort to increase sensory motor nourishment as soon as your little one wakes is very helpful. You might use a quick dial down breastfeed, if you're breastfeeding your toddler (though not feeding back to sleep), or offer some food, then move quickly into a sensory motor adventure outside the home.

Please consider seeing an NDC Accredited health professional, either face-to-face or online, if you are needing more help, or if you've tried out these steps for a couple of weeks and still don't feel you're getting anywhere.

Finished

share this article

Next up in body clock reset

Making changes to daytimes with your toddler for the sake of better sleep begins with tiny steps

young child playing outside with toy

If you decide to have your toddler sleep less during the day, to better consolidate sleep at night, it helps to make the changes slowly. If you try to nudge back the time your toddler starts a daytime nap too quickly, for instance, you may find your child becomes very grumpy!

Sometimes simply increasing the amount of sensory motor nourishment that your toddler is exposed to during the day in itself decreases the amount of sleep she takes during the day. At other times, especially if your child is older and you have excessive night waking, you may decide to decrease the amount of time your little one spends napping during the day, so that sleep is better consolidated at nights. In this case

  • Try not focus on the time of day when naps happen. Sleep comes whenever...

more articles in body clock reset

  • 2

    minute
    read

    Being relaxed about your toddler's daytime sleep helps create healthy night-time sleep patterns
  • 8

    minute
    read

    Getting your toddler up at the same time each day helps when you have night-time sleep problems
  • 3

    minute
    read

    What to do when your toddler wakes too early in the morning?
  • 4

    minute
    read

    How to balance the three pressure points when you are resetting your toddler's body clock
View full article list
Possum sleep program logo

the possums
baby & toddler
sleep program

about the programfind essentialsspeak to dr pamaudiocode of ethicsterms & conditionsprivacy policyFAQs / help
Dr Pam logo

© Dr Pamela Douglas 2025

visit drpam.baby for more programs