Sleep problems in children aged 1-3 years

Sleep problems in children aged 1-3 years: New challenges and behavioral aspects

If the first year of life was devoted to fighting physiological sleep problems, the period from 1 to 3 years brings behavioral aspects to the forefront. The child now has not only needs but also desires, fears, and the ability to test limits. Sleep becomes an arena for asserting independence. Parents encounter resistance when putting the child down, nighttime "parties," and attempts to crawl into the parents' bed. Understanding the psychology of this age helps devise the right strategy.

Why does the toddler refuse to sleep?

The reasons for sleep problems at this age are complex:

• Separation anxiety: It can have a second peak around 18 months. The child does not want to be separated from parents at night, as it is the longest separation of the day.
• Development of imagination: The child develops first fears—darkness, monsters under the bed. They may be afraid to stay alone in the room.
• Struggle for independence: Refusing to go to sleep is a way to express will and control over the situation. The child tests the limits of what is allowed.
• Improper schedule: Too early or too late bedtime, lack of clear bedtime rituals. Perhaps the child has outgrown two daytime naps and is ready for one, which requires restructuring the whole schedule.
• Physical discomfort: Teething molars, a runny nose, or cough can interfere with sleep.

"Third‑night party": What are nighttime wanderings?

Waking up in the middle of the night when the child is fully alert and ready to play for 1–2 hours is a common phenomenon. Most often this is linked to the child getting too much daytime sleep, or the schedule not matching their biological rhythms. This requires careful analysis and adjustment of the daily routine. More details about various sleep disturbances can be read in the article "Sleep problems".