When Sleep Challenges Continue Into Infancy & Toddlerhood
It’s Not “Just Behavior”
For many families, sleep questions don’t end with the newborn stage - they simply change form.
Instead of frequent feeds and short stretches, parents may find themselves navigating:
- Short or inconsistent naps
- Frequent night waking beyond infancy
- Early morning wake-ups
- Toddlers who seem wired at night but exhausted during the day
- Bedtime resistance that feels bigger than “just behavior”
This can feel frustrating, confusing, and often isolating - especially when the advice you hear centers around discipline, schedules, or “fixing” habits.
But in many cases, what’s going on isn’t behavioral at all.
Sleep Doesn’t Mature Overnight
Just like newborns, infants and toddlers are still developing their circadian rhythm.
This internal clock continues maturing well beyond the newborn phase and is shaped by:
- Light exposure
- Daily rhythms and routines
- Nervous system regulation
- Growth spurts and developmental leaps
This means sleep challenges at these stages are often developmental, not defiant.
Common Infant & Toddler Sleep Patterns (That Are Often Misunderstood)
Many sleep struggles labeled as “bad habits” are actually signs of an overwhelmed system.
For example:
- Short naps can be linked to overstimulation or poor daytime rhythm
- Night waking can reflect nervous system dysregulation, not hunger or manipulation
- Early wake-ups often tie back to light exposure or cortisol rhythms
- Bedtime resistance may be a sign of being overtired, not under-tired
When the nervous system is overloaded, the body struggles to fully rest - even when it desperately needs sleep.
Circadian Rhythm Still Matters (A Lot)
As babies grow, circadian rhythm becomes even more influential.
Helpful supports include:
- Bright, natural light exposure in the morning
- Daytime naps in light-filled spaces
- Clear contrast between day and night
- Dimming lights and slowing the home environment in the evening
Even toddlers benefit from strong daytime cues and calm nighttime signals. Their bodies still rely heavily on the environment to know when to rest.
A Note on Stimulation & Overload
Modern life brings a lot of input:
- Screens
- Loud toys
- Busy schedules
- Late evenings
For sensitive nervous systems, this can lead to a child who appears energetic at night but crashes emotionally or physically during the day.
Being “wired” at bedtime is often a sign of overtiredness, not excess energy.
Minerals, the Nervous System & Sleep
Many children today are mineral depleted, with magnesium being one of the most commonly lacking.
Magnesium plays a role in:
- Nervous system calming
- Muscle relaxation
- Stress response regulation
- Supporting deeper rest
While magnesium isn’t a sleep cure, supporting mineral status can help the body regulate more smoothly, especially during periods of rapid growth, teething, or developmental change.
Topical magnesium is often well-tolerated and can be incorporated into a calming bedtime routine.
👉 You can read more about our family-friendly magnesium lotion here:
Magnesium Lotion - Lavender Chamomile for Kids
Gentle Shifts That Support Rest (Without Sleep Training)
Supporting infant and toddler sleep doesn’t require strict schedules or leaving children to cry.
Often, it looks like:
- Adjusting light exposure
- Simplifying evenings
- Protecting rest during the day
- Supporting the nervous system nutritionally
- Creating predictable, calming rhythms
Small changes, consistently applied, can make a meaningful difference over time.
A Gentle Daily Rhythm & Bedtime Routine (What This Can Actually Look Like)
Supporting infant and toddler sleep doesn’t require rigid schedules — but predictable rhythms matter.
A supportive daily rhythm often includes:
- Morning light exposure shortly after waking
- Regular meals and snacks spaced throughout the day
- A balance of movement and rest
- A clear, consistent wind-down period in the evening
Evening Routine Ideas
A bedtime routine doesn’t need to be long or elaborate. What matters most is consistency and nervous system cues.
A gentle routine might look like:
- Dimming lights 60–90 minutes before bedtime
- Quiet play or connection time
- Bath or warm washcloth on hands or face
- Pajamas and magnesium lotion massage
- Nursing, bottle, or calm cuddle
- Bedtime story or song
Repeating the same sequence each night helps the body recognize, “Sleep is coming.”
For toddlers especially, routines create safety and predictability, which supports relaxation far more than strict bedtimes alone.
Nutrition & Sleep – Fueling the Nervous System
Sleep is deeply connected to nourishment.
Many infant and toddler sleep challenges are worsened by:
- Blood sugar swings
- Inadequate protein and fat intake
- Highly processed foods
- Overreliance on refined or starchy baby foods
Prioritize Protein & Healthy Fats
Protein and fats help stabilize blood sugar and support neurotransmitter production — both essential for sleep regulation.
Helpful options (age-appropriate) include:
- Eggs
- Full-fat yogurt or kefir
- Meat broths and slow-cooked meats
- Avocado
- Olive oil, butter, or coconut oil added to foods
Children who eat primarily carbohydrate-heavy meals may experience night waking or early morning wake-ups due to blood sugar drops.
Be Mindful of “Baby Foods” That Are Basically Sugar
Many commercial baby and toddler foods marketed as “healthy” are:
- Refined grains
- Fruit-heavy purees
- Starch-based snacks
These foods digest quickly and can spike blood sugar — followed by a crash that disrupts sleep.
This doesn’t mean avoiding carbohydrates altogether, but rather balancing them with protein and fat to support steadier energy and rest.
A Note on Extended Breastfeeding & Night Nursing
Extended breastfeeding into infancy and toddlerhood is biologically normal and continues to play an important role in nourishment, nervous system regulation, and emotional security.
Night nursing during these stages does not automatically disrupt sleep — how it’s supported matters.
The same principles used for newborn night feedings apply to infants and toddlers as well:
- Keep the room as dark as possible
- Use minimal or no artificial light
- Avoid talking, playing, or eye contact
- Keep movements slow and calm
Night nursing is eating time, not time to get up and socialize.
When nighttime care stays quiet and low-stimulus, the nervous system remains in “rest mode,” making it easier for children to return to sleep afterward.
Frequent night waking during extended breastfeeding is not a failure — it’s often a sign of:
- Growth spurts
- Developmental changes
- Nervous system needs
- Comfort seeking
As with newborns, the goal isn’t to eliminate night nursing prematurely — it’s to protect circadian rhythm cues so night remains night.
The Bigger Picture
Sleep challenges in infancy and toddlerhood are not a failure of parenting.
They are often signals — not problems.
Signals that the body needs:
- More support
- Less stimulation
- Better rhythm
- Deeper nourishment
When we shift from controlling sleep to supporting regulation, rest tends to follow.
Start at the Beginning
If you’re navigating sleep challenges and want to understand where it all begins, you may find it helpful to start with our newborn-focused post on circadian rhythm and day–night development.
👉 Read here:
Newborns Don’t Have Their Days & Nights “Mixed Up” - They’re Just New Here
And if you’re realizing that disrupted sleep has been affecting your own rest, nervous system, or ability to function, that matters too.
Sleep challenges don’t exist in isolation — they ripple through the whole household.
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Disclaimer:
This content is shared for educational and supportive purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace individualized medical or sleep advice. Sleep patterns vary widely among infants and toddlers, and what is typical for one child may not be for another. Always trust your instincts as a parent, and consult a qualified healthcare provider if you have concerns about your child’s health, growth, or development.