Blissed Out BabiesBlissed Out Babies
As a parent in Manchester, few experiences are as frustrating or confusing as your toddler waking up in the middle of the night, ready to play. These episodes, often referred to as “split nights,” can disrupt the sleep of the entire household. Understanding the causes and implementing effective strategies can help restore restful nights.
Split nights occur when a toddler wakes up during the night for an extended period, typically between 1 to 3 hours, and is alert and active. Unlike typical night wakings, the child isn’t distressed but seems ready to start the day.
Several factors can contribute to split nights:
Sleep pressure builds during the day, leading to the need for sleep at night. If a child goes to bed too early or has excessive daytime sleep, they may not have accumulated enough sleep pressure, causing them to wake up during the night.
Long or late naps can reduce the need for nighttime sleep, leading to nighttime awakenings.
Learning new skills, such as walking or talking, can disrupt sleep patterns as the child’s brain processes these developments during the night. Unfortunately if this is the cause f your toddler’s split nights, the bad news is there’s not much you can do to change it, but ride it out and the phase should pass after a week or two.
If your child has been having split nights 4 or more nights a week for a couple of weeks, it’s most likely to be an imbalance in the body clock. Implementing the following strategies can help address split nights:
Ensure your toddler’s naps are age-appropriate in duration and timing. Avoid late-afternoon naps that can interfere with nighttime sleep.
Waking your child at the same time each morning helps regulate their internal clock and reinforces a consistent sleep schedule.
If your child is consistently waking up during the night, consider pushing bedtime later by 15-30 minutes to increase sleep pressure.
Ensure the bedroom is dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature. Use blackout curtains and white noise machines if necessary.
If your child wakes up, keep interactions minimal. Avoid turning on lights or engaging in play to prevent reinforcing the behaviour.
If split nights persist despite implementing these strategies, you may need some more tailored support. Split nights can take some fine-tuning to be resolved.
If you’re feeling stuck in a cycle of unpredictable naps and bedtime struggles, you’re not alone and you don’t have to figure it out on your own. As a toddler sleep consultant who supports families every day with real-world, gentle approaches, I can help you make sense of what’s going on and guide you toward a rhythm that works for your child.
I have always been interested in gentle parenting techniques, and as a self confessed ‘geek’ I spent many a sleepless night reading. I became so interested in infant brain development and the science of sleep that I completed my Holistic Sleep Coaching qualification, mentored by the wonderful Lyndsey Hookway. I have been working as a toddler sleep consultant since 2018, I am based in Manchester but I can work with you from anywhere in the world online!
This coupled with my experience in settling techniques, toddler negotiation strategies and analysis of naps and sleep needs gives me a wealth of knowledge to be able help you.
If you’re looking for help with making changes to your family’s sleeping habits and would like to speak to a toddler sleep consultant who is down to earth and sympathetic and will focus on you and your family with empathy and understanding then please get in touch.
I would love to hear from you!
Jem x
Click here to book a free chat with Jem to discuss sleep packages and ensure we are a good fit. There is no obligation and I will only take clients where I genuinely feel I can change their lives.
I have three simple toddler sleep support packages, Read more about them here.
Yes! You can check out my free sleep resources here.