If your baby is older than 12 months and still not sleeping through the night, now is the time to tackle this!
Toddler sleep problems are usually due to one or more of the following:
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Your toddler has a sleep association, such as being fed to sleep
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Your toddler's routine needs work, including naps & bedtime routine
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Your toddler is waking from the cold or movement.
Research shows that more than 50% of babies who have difficulty settling or have continued night waking continue to have sleep problems as preschoolers and beyond.
So the timing is excellent, as the sooner you get your toddler into a good bedtime routine, address why your toddler is waking and build positive sleep associations, the better your child will sleep now and in the future.
Ensure your toddler can fall asleep by herself, in her cot, for both day sleeps and bedtime. This way you ensure the conditions will be the same when she wakes during the night and she will be able to re-settle herself and not cry for you.
Solutions to help with this consistency include a baby sleeping bag, comfort blankie and teaching your baby to self-settle at 7pm bedtime.
Also ensure that your expectations for your baby's sleep are realistic, as babies need less sleep as they get older:
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From 12 - 18 months, your toddler needs 13 1/2 - 14 hours of sleep daily, made up from 1-2 naps (total 2-3 hours) and 11 1/2 - 12 hours at night.
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From 18 months - 2 years, your toddler needs 13-14 hours of sleep daily, made up from 1-2 naps and 11 1/4 -12 hours at night.
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From 2 - 2 1/2 years, your toddler needs 13 - 13 1/2 hours of sleep daily, made up from 1 nap (1-2 hrs) and 11-12 hours at night.
For more information see our Toddler section, with links to more helpful articles and case studies.