Hush little baby

It's estimated a quarter of young children have severe sleep problems. Some are there from the beginning, while others only occur at certain times - with teething, for example, or after an illness.

Research suggests that:

Difficulty settling to sleep is present in 22 per cent of nine-month-olds, 15 to 20 per cent of toddlers aged between one and two, and 16 per cent of children aged three and above.

Frequent night waking is a problem for 42 per cent of nine-months-olds, 20 to 26 per cent of toddlers aged between one and two, and 14 per cent of children aged three and above.

Almost all babies have erratic sleep patterns to begin with, which most parents expect, but in the latter half of the first year new problems can occur. For example, night waking occurs in about 50 per cent of children who'd previously been sleeping through.

Average sleep needs

12 months - 13.5 hours

Two years - 13 hours

Three years - 12 hours

Five years - 11 hours

Remember, these are only averages. Individual children may show considerable variations.

Common sleep problems

Here are tips on coping with some of the most common sleeping problems children have.

Difficulty settling at night:

Create a simple and familiar routine for bedtime. For example: feed, bath, bed.

Allow toddlers time to settle. If they make a fuss, don't go back in immediately, but don't leave them for so long that they get very distressed.

Keep things quiet, this helps toddlers to settle and teaches them that night is different from day.

Alternatively, keep natural house noises going. Some children are happier if they can hear household noises and know you're nearby.

Make sure your child winds down before bed. This will make the transition from lively toddler to sleeping child easier.

If your toddler keeps getting up after you've put him to bed, you need to be firm and take him back again. It may take time, but eventually he'll get the message.

Waking too early:

Use thick blinds or curtains to make children's rooms darker so the morning light doesn't wake them.

Provide safe toys for him to play with in the mornings, so he can play quietly until he hears that the rest of the family is awake.

If your child's a natural early riser, you may just have to be patient. Usually, once children start nursery or school, they tend to sleep in for longer.

Waking in the night:

Be realistic and remember that everyone's sleep needs and patterns vary. Some people need eight hours or more, others can manage on five or six. This creates a different picture of what 'sleeping through' means, even in one family.

Many toddlers continue to wake at night for feeds. If you'd like to stop this, cut down night feeds by gradually replacing milk with water.

If you've always rocked, stroked or sung your child to sleep when he first goes to bed, he may find it difficult to get back to sleep on his own if he wakes in the night. When you go in to comfort him, keep the lights low and use a soft voice. Don't encourage play. You'll probably need to do this several times

Common problems continued

Never seems to be tired:

A predictable daily routine can help to encourage sleep at the appropriate time.

Don't let your toddler get overexcited before bedtime - and don't forget to have a winding-down period.

If your child really doesn't seem tired, put him to bed but leave him toys or books to play with.

Cut out daytime naps, especially in the afternoon. But don't force this if your toddler really needs a nap.

Try to tire out your child with lots of enjoyable daytime physical activities.

Move your child's bedtime back 15 minutes at a time until it suits you.

Monsters in the closet:

Being frightened to go to bed or refusing to let you leave the room can be a sign of insecurity. Try to think what the cause might be - such as the arrival of a new baby, starting nursery or hearing a row - and work out how to reduce their anxiety.

Never laugh at or deny your toddler's fears.

Stick to a recognisable routine that lets your child know bedtime's coming.

Provide a night light if your child doesn't like the dark.

If your child seems scared of being left alone, promise to come back and check on him every five or ten minutes until he's dropped off. He may relax knowing you'll be back.

Move around where you can still be heard for a while after your child goes to bed. Sort clothes in the next room, for example.

Play soothing background music for your child to listen to.

Leave safe, favourite soft toys in your child's bed for company.

Make sure your child has his favourite comforter - a dummy, cloth or toy perhaps.

Never use your child's bedroom as a place to send him as a punishment. This can make it a frightening rather than comfortable place.

Suggest pleasant ideas to dream about, such as visiting to the beach at the weekend.

Give him lots of loving attention during the day so he feels safe and secure.

When nothing works

If you're despairing about your child's sleep routine (or lack of it) it might be time to get help from your health visitor or doctor. Methods used include controlled crying and gradual withdrawal. Your health visitor is the best person to explain ways of managing sleep behaviour.