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Let’s talk about a two-year-old’s sleep problem! At every level, there are things that make us stronger. At each stage, bones grow, skin stretches, and even teeth come out (twice!), each in its own season.
Growing up is getting better in time. One person’s time may be different from another’s time. But, each event progresses, each limb progresses and each smile grows with the satisfaction of what he has done. We have a message of hope. Things that appear to be obstacles or difficulties are often the result of growth and development at the right time.
At Moms on Call, we like to rehash common myths that can destroy our peace of mind and leave us frustrated. That’s why we call it 2-Year Sleep PRO-gression!
Let’s take what is often called a “two-year sleep break” and examine it in terms of development, neurological progress, and hope. And for that reason, we will also call it “2-year sleep PRO-gression”!
The brain and all its wonders. All connections and sensors are controlled and processed quickly. And some of the biggest leaps in understanding, like the development of language, use multiple processes that lead to greater understanding. When neurons (connections) in the brain ‘light up,’ the whole brain is excited. It’s a refreshing way of connecting all parts. This is why children have difficulty sleeping around the time of the language explosion. Because language is connected to so many neural elements, the brain is shy of learning!
What can we do to help our children sleep well?
The best thing we can do at night is to prevent any other stimulation from interrupting the process the brain is busy completing. And it takes about 2 weeks for their neurons to fire on all cylinders and for everything to settle down so that sleep can come back easily.
Both the brain and baby benefit from a night’s natural rest.
Maybe you have never heard it described like this, but now you know why this amazing creature, your child, who was probably sleeping like a giant, started waking up at night. And staying out of the way and keeping them in a safe place, not choosing to sleep with little light or stimulation is the very thing that helps the brain to work when experiencing familiar situations such as familiar language.
Clean Noise, Sleep & Nap Opportunities
White noise is a great friend because it helps to calm the mind. So the place can rest to rest. And the sites they are focusing on and getting their links can connect to.
This is how we learn and grow, recover and renew. Your job is to create an environment that is supposed to be a great learning experience. Who knew it required so many hours?
Stimulation and conversation throughout the day and a great opportunity to sleep will help the language explosion (along with other major developmental milestones) take root. But what helps the most is sleeping at night. Those energetic little neurons are created and activated…just in time.
So, here are Moms on Call’s tips for that WORKING SLEEP.
- Continue to sleep without further stimulation even if he cannot sleep. This is a great way to support their growing imaginations! Check out Moms on Call’s tips here for creating the perfect sleepover.
- Our presence, ten questions, suspension, and interaction are all things that don’t give the brain as little rest as it could.
- Shooting for an hour and a half at least three hours (if he sleeps). This is from the time the sleep started (not the time he fell asleep).
- They may have time to cry, play or sleep, but we want to set aside time with as little stimulation as possible.
- Night is the same routine.
- If you close the door at 7:30 pm and they talk to themselves until 9 pm, no problem.
- Pure noise and no other stimulation (besides what they do on their own) is the way to keep this transition easy.
You can do this, and they can too because they are growing in the best ways. Love them, talk to them, laugh with them when they are awake, and then let sleep and night do their best work.
Let the brain rest. It’s the way we were made, and it’s beautiful. (Maybe not too much for a parent, but still cute!)
As we always say, they are safe, loved, and can do it. They are made to perform on time.
Check out our Toddler Online Video Course for more toddler tips and resources! 15 months to 4 years is the most powerful time with your child. This course offers a Mother’s Seminar on Call No-Nonsense Toddler and an in-depth look at each profile under the SMART Paradigm, answers to frequently asked questions by parents of toddlers, additional resources provided in the course, and access to MOC Basics Videos and the popular MOC Pep Talks.