Parenting

Why your toddler keeps waking up at night and not going back to sleep (and why it’s so tricky to fix)

If your toddler is suddenly wide awake at 2 a.m. happy, chatty, and ready to play, you’re not alone.
These long, middle‑of‑the‑night wake‑ups (called split nights) often happen when your toddler’s daytime sleep routine doesn’t quite match their growing sleep needs.

But here’s what many parents don’t realise: once your toddler’s body clock resets to expect that night‑time party, it can take gentle, carefully planned steps, and a lot of consistency, to bring nights back on track.

In this blog, I’ll explain why your toddler waking up at night and not going back to sleep isn’t your fault, what might really be causing it, and how to start gently resetting your little one’s sleep, so you can all enjoy calmer nights again.

Think your toddler’s bedtime routine is flawless because it’s always been exactly the same?
Or that the earlier they’re in bed, the better they’ll sleep?

Many loving parents unknowingly follow advice that can actually cause more night wakings, bedtime battles and 5am starts.

In this blog, I share four common (and surprising) toddler sleep mistakes, like:
✅ Aiming for too much sleep
✅ Sticking rigidly to the same routine from baby days
✅ Keeping the whole evening quiet (and missing playful connection)
✅ Using baths as a “calm down” when they’re actually full of fun and stimulation

Discover why these well-meant strategies often backfire, and what to try instead, so your toddler (and you!) can enjoy calmer, happier nights.