Ashwin Lewis
It can be frustrating and worrying when your one-year-old is crying and not sleeping, but it's important to remember that this is very common. There are many reasons why toddlers may experience sleep regression and cry at night, including teething, illness, developmental milestones, and changes in routine. Toddlers may also cry at bedtime due to separation anxiety, overstimulation, or fear of the dark. Establishing a consistent sleep routine, offering comfort, and making sure your toddler is getting enough sleep during the day can help address these issues. If your toddler is crying for more than 3 hours a day, for several days a week, it may be a sign of colic, and you should consult your doctor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hunger | Toddlers may cry if they are way past hungry. |
| Sleep regression | Toddlers may experience sleep regression, when they suddenly stop sleeping well after previously sleeping through the night. Sleep regression is common around 12 months and again at 18 months. |
| Overstimulation | Overstimulation occurs when a child becomes overwhelmed by their senses, such as loud sounds or bright, flashing lights. |
| Teething | Teething can cause pain and discomfort that wakes toddlers at night. |
| Illness | Illnesses such as fever, vomiting, ear infections, body aches, and congestion can wake toddlers suddenly. |
| Separation anxiety | Separation anxiety is typical for toddlers, often peaking around 15 to 18 months of age. |
| Night terrors | Night terrors are relatively rare and usually occur in children aged between 4 and 12 years old, but they have been reported in toddlers as young as 18 months old. |
| Inconsistent sleep schedules | Inconsistent sleep schedules and routines can make a child more likely to cry at bedtime. |
| Emotional development | The emotional development stage of toddlers can contribute to bedtime tears. Between 2 to 3 years of age, a child's emotional brain becomes more active, and they may develop fears of the dark, strange sounds, or monsters under the bed. |
| Lack of quiet time before sleep | Introducing too many new things or activities before sleep can be mentally overwhelming for toddlers. |
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What You'll Learn
Hunger or teething pain
Hunger
Hunger is a common reason for a one-year-old's crying and lack of sleep. Young babies need to be fed frequently, and they may not always stick to a schedule. They may need lots of short feeds close together to help them grow and develop. Crying is a late hunger cue, so it is better to look out for earlier signs such as turning their head, also known as 'rooting'. If you notice these signs, try feeding your baby before they get too upset.
If your baby continues crying shortly after feeding, they may not have been hungry, and you could be overfeeding them. Try one of the soothing techniques outlined below instead.
Soothing Techniques
- Reduce stimulation by moving your baby away from busy environments.
- Sing to or rock them, play with them, or make eye contact and talk to them.
- Show them black-and-white or brightly colored pictures or toys, or shake a rattle.
- Show them their reflection in a mirror.
- Use repetitive motions with soft sounds, such as rocking, bouncing, or rubbing their back.
- Find a routine that works for your baby, for example, some babies like to play, sleep, eat, and repeat.
Teething Pain
Teething can be a challenging phase for both babies and caregivers, and it often occurs around six months of age, although the timing can vary. It can make your baby cranky, uncomfortable, and irritable, and they may drool a lot. Teething pain is usually mild, but it can sometimes cause incessant crying and sleepless nights.
Soothing Techniques
- You can give your baby a teething toy to ease their pain.
- Try a gentle gum massage by washing your hands and using a clean finger or a soft, wet cloth to gently massage your baby's gums. The pressure can provide relief and distract them from the pain.
- Wet a clean washcloth and chill it in the refrigerator before letting your baby gnaw on it. The texture and coldness can be soothing for sore gums.
- Consult your pediatrician before using any over-the-counter teething gels or medications.
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Separation anxiety
During this time, your baby is also learning about object permanence, which means they understand that things and people exist even when they're out of sight. They are biologically driven to stay close to their primary caregivers, who keep them safe, and they get distressed when they realise that you are leaving them, even if it is just in another room.
- Stick to a bedtime routine. For example, give your baby a warm bath, read a book, and softly sing together every night before putting your baby to sleep.
- Put your baby into the crib while they are drowsy but still awake. This helps them learn to fall asleep on their own.
- If your baby cries after you've put them down, stay in the room for a few minutes. They may calm down on their own.
- If the crying continues, comfort your baby but try to avoid picking them up.
- You may eventually need to leave the room while your baby is crying, but come back at regular intervals to comfort them.
- Play "separation-reunion" games, such as Peek-a-Boo, to help your baby learn that when you leave, you will come back.
- Before leaving your child with a sitter or at daycare, practice short separations by leaving them with a trusted caregiver for a short time.
If your child seems sad or withdrawn most of the time, or if their anxiety over separating causes physical symptoms such as nausea or nightmares, this could be a sign of separation anxiety disorder or depression, which are rare in toddlers. In this case, you should consult your child's pediatrician.
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Illness or discomfort
If your one-year-old is crying and not sleeping, they may be ill or experiencing discomfort. Illnesses such as fevers, vomiting, ear infections, body aches, congestion, or bowel cramping can cause discomfort and pain, leading to crying and sleep disturbances. Additionally, teething can cause pain and discomfort, making it difficult for your toddler to sleep peacefully.
It's important to note that babies and toddlers rely on crying as their primary form of communication. They may also experience separation anxiety, which can contribute to their crying and sleeping issues. This is a typical phase for children under 3 years old, as they become more aware of the separation that occurs at bedtime.
To soothe your toddler, try to establish a consistent sleep routine and offer comfort without overstimulating them. A warm bath before bed can help your child relax and prepare for sleep. You can also try rocking your toddler gently in a pram or taking them for a short drive.
If your toddler is crying due to illness or discomfort, you can manage mild symptoms at home with over-the-counter medication. However, if you notice more severe symptoms, such as a high fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, or symptoms of an ear infection, contact your paediatrician for advice.
In addition to illness or discomfort, your toddler's crying and sleeping issues could be related to their emotional development. Between 2 and 3 years of age, children's emotional brains become more active, and they may struggle to distinguish between imagination and reality. This can lead to fears that impact their sleep. Establishing consistent bedtime routines can help promote more restorative sleep during this developmental stage.
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Sleep regression
- Separation anxiety: This is a natural experience for children and is most common in children under 3 years old. Separation anxiety can be heightened at night, as it marks a long period of separation from caregivers. Children may also be warier of new people and places, as they associate their parents with familiarity and safety.
- Teething: Teething can cause pain and discomfort that wakes children at night.
- Illness: A mild illness can be managed at home, but more severe symptoms such as high fever, lethargy, vomiting, or symptoms of an ear infection may warrant medical attention.
- Overstimulation: This can occur when a child becomes overwhelmed by their senses, such as taking in too many loud sounds or bright, flashing lights. Screens can be a culprit, but so can busy outings or social gatherings.
- Developmental milestones: As babies grow and develop, they may experience physical, emotional, and cognitive changes that contribute to crying before bedtime.
- Changes in routine: Inconsistency in sleep schedules and routines can make it harder for children to fall asleep and self-soothe.
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Overstimulation
If your one-year-old is experiencing overstimulation, you should try to reduce the amount of stimulation they are receiving. This might involve turning off screens, lowering the volume on loud noises, or reducing the number of bright lights in their environment. You can also try to provide a calm and quiet environment for them to relax in. White noise or soft music can help to block out other sounds that might be overstimulating your child.
It is important to establish a consistent sleep routine for your toddler. This will help them to regulate their sleep-wake functions and promote more restorative sleep. A warm bath before bed can help your baby relax and fall asleep. Some babies may also find the motion of a gentle rock or a short drive soothing.
If your toddler is experiencing overstimulation, they may also be dealing with other issues such as teething, illness, or separation anxiety. It is important to consider all possible causes of their crying and lack of sleep, and to seek professional advice if you are concerned.
If your toddler is crying and not sleeping due to overstimulation, it is important to be patient and understanding. This is a common issue for toddlers, and it is something that they will grow and learn from with time and support.
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Frequently asked questions
There could be several reasons for this. Your toddler may be hungry, thirsty, or in pain from teething. They may be experiencing separation anxiety, or they could be sick. It could also be that they are overtired, overstimulated, or going through a sleep regression.
Sleep regression is when a baby or toddler suddenly stops sleeping well after previously sleeping through the night. Sleep regressions can be caused by changes in routine, developmental milestones, or differences in awareness. They are common around 12 months and again at 18 months.
To help your toddler sleep through the night, try to stick to a consistent sleep routine and avoid overstimulating them before bed. A warm bath before bed can be soothing, and you can offer a pacifier or clean fingers to suck on if they are old enough. Rocking or taking your toddler for a walk in their pram may also help.
Toddlers can become overwhelmed by their senses, leading to overstimulation. This can be caused by loud noises, bright lights, or too much screen time. They may also be overstimulated if they are taking part in too many new activities or experiencing a lot of changes in their surroundings.
