"We Used to Have a Unicorn Sleeping Baby, I Don't Know What Went Wrong!"
Does this sound familiar? Although society and social media might tell us otherwise, it’s completely normal for children to continue waking at night into toddlerhood. Parents often tell me they feel like their toddler slept better as a newborn. Now, they are experiencing frequent night wakings and feeling more exhausted than ever—especially with a child who is constantly on the move! If your little one is waking, you’re not alone! Night waking is part of normal development and doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong.
If your toddler is waking, firstly—don’t despair! Night wakings tend to decrease with age as children’s sleep consolidates. Research gives us some helpful insights:
Galland et al. (2012) reviewed multiple studies and found that the number of night wakings varies widely between children.
Henderson et al. (2010) found that 14% of 12-month-olds were still not sleeping for at least 5 consecutive hours.
Kocevska et al. (2017) revealed that by age 2, 50% of children still wake 1–2 times per night, and 6% wake 3 or more times.
The good news is that most children will naturally start to sleep through the night over time—there’s no need to force it. Feeding to sleep is not only normal but also supported by your body’s natural hormonal responses, which help your child settle back down more quickly. In fact, feeding to sleep can be a superpower for breastfeeding parents—it’s nature’s way of helping you and your little one rest!
It’s worth remembering that night waking is only a problem if it’s a problem for you. For some families, waking to breastfeed feels manageable and is part of their parenting rhythm. For others, frequent wakings can feel exhausting or overwhelming. Both experiences are valid, and there’s no “right” way to handle it—only what works best for your family.
If night waking is leaving you feeling drained, here are some gentle, actionable strategies to help:
Focus on your own rest: Take naps when possible or share night time responsibilities with a partner if you’re able. Even small breaks can make a big difference.
Be reassured: Night waking is common and nothing you have done is wrong. Night time routines work well—until they don’t. And that’s okay!
Self-compassion is key: You’re doing an amazing job. Sleep challenges are temporary, and your love and care are what matter most.
As a holistic sleep coach and IBCLC, I specialise in supporting parents like you through these stages. Whether it’s adjusting to toddlerhood sleep patterns, reducing frequent wakings, or creating a gentle plan that aligns with your parenting values.
Book a free 15-minute consultation today to learn how I can support you with your toddlers sleep.
Galland et al (2012) Normal sleep patterns in infants and children: A systematic review of observational studies. Sleep Medicine Reviews. Volume 16, Issue 3, June 2012, Pages 213-222.
Henderson et al (2010) Sleeping Through the Night: The Consolidation of Self-regulated Sleep Across the First Year of Life. Pediatrics (2010) 126 (5): e1081–e1087.
Kocevska et al (2017) Sleeping Through the Night: The Consolidation of Self-regulated Sleep Across the First Year of Life. Journal of Pediatric Psychology · January 2016. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/126/5/e1081/65212/Sleeping-Through-the-Night-The-Consolidation-of?redirectedFrom=PDF