{"id":4008,"date":"2020-09-12T10:06:54","date_gmt":"2020-09-12T10:06:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yellodoor.com\/?p=4008"},"modified":"2022-08-23T13:33:39","modified_gmt":"2022-08-23T13:33:39","slug":"3-year-old-sleep-regression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yellodoor.com\/fr\/3-year-old-sleep-regression\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Year Old Sleep Regression: How to Fix 3 Year Old Waking up at Night"},"content":{"rendered":"

So, you thought you were out of the woods concerning sleep regressions, eh? Not quite. There is, yet another, sleep regression, known as the 3 year old sleep regression, headed your way. Only this time, your child is old enough, not only to cry out after you, but to pinpoint why exactly you should stay by their bedside, or why they shouldn\u2019t have to go to bed when you’ve asked them to.<\/p>\n

So, what should you do when you notice 3 year old sleeping issues? We\u2019re glad you asked!<\/p>\n

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Why Is My 3 Year Old Waking Up at Night?<\/h2>\n

When it comes to your preschooler, you may find yourself asking, \u201cWhy is my 3 year old waking up at night?\u201d<\/p>\n

The question isn\u2019t at all uncommon, and is, indeed, a part of the expected 3 to 3.5 year old sleep regression.<\/p>\n

Does every three year old experience the regression? No. But by and large, many parents are finding the stress of getting a toddler to sleep, coupled with the stress of, likely, having dealt with sleep issues for the majority of the child\u2019s young life, simply unbearable.<\/p>\n

The good news is, this regression is probably the last regression your child will encounter. While the 3-month, 8-month and even 18-month sleep regressions are all tied to changes in sleep patterns and major developmental milestones, much of the 3 year old sleep regression can be attributed to your child\u2019s imagination and language development and their will to use it.<\/p>\n

Language and Imagination<\/h2>\n

If you are tired of dealing with 3 year old sleep issues, take heart. Knowing what is going on and putting a name to it is half the battle.<\/p>\n

Having said that, toddlers of this age are more advanced than they once had been. Their independence is flourishing as they take on new challenges and become enthralled with new things. Also, your little one\u2019s imagination is growing and will manifest itself during imaginative play times, whether they are by themselves, with you or with friends.<\/p>\n

As with anything, however, too much of a good thing is never of any benefit. An overactive imagination can leave your little one reeling, especially if they have been inadvertently exposed to movies, images or songs that scare them.<\/p>\n

When alone in their room at night, their mind may wonder, naturally, since it is dark, and you aren\u2019t around. Your child may begin to feel genuinely afraid and may take this opportunity to call after you, cry or even proceed into your room, all in the middle of the night.<\/p>\n

In addition to an expanding imagination ruining a good night\u2019s rest for you both comes the acquisition of language. Your child is learning that he or she can exercise a level of control by making requests or demands using their words. As such, your 3 year old is likely to beg you not to leave their room at night, or to make one too many requests in an attempt to stay up way past their bedtime. All of this ends up leaving you exhausted, not only for you, but for your 3 year old as well.<\/p>\n

3 Year Old Sleep Schedule and Sleep Habits<\/h2>\n

Sleeping habits for preschool aged children can be hard to pin down. This can be due to a variety of factors, one of which is nap time. While most children start fighting naps around the age of 2, they aren\u2019t truly ready to drop their nap until they are at least 3 years old. Nevertheless, even a 3 year old may need additional sleep. You may even notice that your little one does fine without a nap one day, but is cranky when he or she doesn\u2019t have his or her nap, the next.<\/p>\n

Though confusing, it can help to remember that 3 year old children still need about 11-13 hours of sleep per day. So, if your child doesn’t get that amount of sleep in one stretch at night, he or she is likely to still need a nap. A typical sleep schedule for toddlers might include going to bed between 7 to 9 o\u2019clock at night. Some may need to go to sleep earlier, such as those who aren\u2019t taking naps, and some may fall asleep later.<\/p>\n

For more information on how and when to drop naps<\/strong><\/a>, check out our blog.<\/p>\n

How to Get a Three Year Old to Sleep<\/h2>\n

In order to get your 3 year old to sleep at night, consider the following options:<\/p>\n