Is It Too Late to Sleep Train My Toddler or Preschool-Aged Child?
If you’re a parent of a toddler or preschooler who struggles with sleep, you may be wondering: “Is it too late to sleep train my child?” The short answer is no—it’s never too late! While sleep training is often associated with infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children can also benefit from learning better sleep habits. Let’s explore why and how sleep training at this stage can still be effective, and how it can make a positive difference for both your child and your family.
If you want further guidance and a DIY approach, scroll to the bottom and you’ll see my favorite book for improving sleep in toddlers and young children.
Sleep Training for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Sleep training isn’t just for infants—it’s about teaching your child the skills they need to fall asleep independently, stay asleep, and return to sleep if they wake during the night. It’s essentially your child learning to fall asleep in a new way. This can happen at any age, and it is never too late!
With toddlers and preschoolers, the methods may differ slightly from infant sleep training, but the principles remain the same.
The foundation of sleep training toddlers and preschool-age children:
- Establish a Consistent Bedtime Routine
A predictable bedtime routine is essential for signaling to your child that it’s time to wind down. This might include activities like reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing deep breathing or gratitude together. Consistency is key—do the same routine at the same time each night to help your child’s body adjust. - Set Clear Boundaries
Toddlers and children often test limits, so it’s important to set clear and consistent boundaries around bedtime. For example, explain that once the lights are off, it’s time for sleep. Use language they can understand, such as “It’s quiet time now,” and stick to the rules. - Gradual Extinction or “The Chair Method”
If your child is used to being rocked, held, or lying down with you to fall asleep, it can help to gradually step away from that. For example, you can sit in a chair near their bed as they fall asleep, moving further away each night until they’re able to sleep independently. - Address Night Waking
Toddlers and preschoolers may wake up during the night and call for you. If this happens, calmly reassure them that it’s still time to sleep and guide them back to bed. You may need to do this 20+ times, but if you’re consistent and always bring them back to bed, your child will learn that when mom or dad says it’s bedtime, they mean business. Over time, they’ll learn to return to sleep on their own. - Positive Reinforcement
Praise and rewards can be highly effective. Use a sticker chart or small rewards for staying in bed all night or for following bedtime routines. This reinforces positive behaviors and gives them a sense of accomplishment.
Common Challenges
There are some unique challenges when it comes to sleep training toddlers and preschoolers. Older children may be more resistant to change, especially if they’ve developed strong associations with certain sleep habits. They may also experience bedtime fears or separation anxiety, which can make sleep training a bit more complicated.
Strategies to overcome these challenges:
- Be patient: Change takes time, and consistency is critical. It may take a few weeks to see improvements, but persistence will pay off.
- Provide comfort: If your child has bedtime fears, offer reassurance by talking through their fears during the day. Use a nightlight or offer a comfort item like a favorite stuffed animal to make bedtime feel safer.
- Stick to a schedule: Try to ensure your child has a consistent daily routine. It’s especially important to have a consistent wake up time and bedtime on weekdays and weekends.
Where To Get More Support
Sierra Nevada Sleep is here for you! We can work with you to develop a personalized actionable plan and support you as you implement the changes in your home. Please reach out if you’d like to learn more.
If you’re more of a DIY person, I got you! My favorite book for this age group is “It’s Never Too Late To Sleep Train.”
It’s Never Too Late
Whether your child is 18 months old or 4 years old, it’s never too late to sleep train or to improve their sleep habits. With patience, consistency, and the right approach, you can help your child develop healthy sleep patterns that will benefit them for years to come.
If you need guidance tailored to your family’s specific sleep challenges, Sierra Nevada Sleep is here to help. Our personalized sleep plans provide step-by-step support to get your child’s sleep back on track. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your toddler or preschooler—and your whole family—sleep better!
