Struggling With Toddler Sleep? You’re Not Alone
If you feel confident guiding parents through baby sleep but get nervous when it comes to toddler sleep challenges, you’re not alone. Many sleep consultants feel out of their depth when working with toddlers and preschoolers—especially when traditional sleep strategies don’t seem to work.
In this post, we’ll explore:
Why toddler sleep challenges can feel overwhelming for consultants.
The key differences between infant and toddler sleep support.
A real-life case study where a holistic sleep coach helped a wakeful toddler—without rigid training methods.
🚀 Prefer to watch instead? I break it all down step-by-step in the video below:
Table of Contents
- Why Toddler Sleep Feels Challenging for Sleep Coaches
- Why Toddlers Wake at Night
- Case Study: A Holistic Approach to Toddler Sleep
- Key Takeaways for Sleep Coaches
- Want to Support Families with Confidence?
Why Toddler Sleep Feels Challenging for Sleep Coaches
1. Lack of Toddler-Specific Strategies
Most sleep consultant training programs focus heavily on baby sleep, leaving professionals without concrete tools for toddlers. Sleep disruptions in toddlers aren’t just about sleep—they’re deeply connected to emotional regulation, autonomy, and development. Without strategies that address these factors, consultants may feel ill-equipped to help.
2. The Root Issue Isn’t Always Sleep
Unlike babies, toddler sleep difficulties often stem from non-sleep factors like:
✔️ Separation anxiety
✔️ Testing boundaries
✔️ Big emotional transitions (e.g., new sibling, starting daycare)
A “sleep solution” alone isn’t enough—it’s about understanding the whole child and their environment.
Why Toddlers Wake at Night
Here are six common reasons why toddlers struggle with sleep:
1️⃣ Developing Independence – Toddlers are learning about their world, which can feel both exciting and overwhelming. They crave connection and reassurance at night.
2️⃣ Testing Boundaries – Toddlers push limits to understand consistency and security. This extends into sleep habits.
3️⃣ Adjusting to Big Changes – A new sibling, moving house, or starting daycare can create sleep disruptions.
4️⃣ Big Feelings, Big Personalities – Toddlers have intense emotions but lack the skills to manage them, which can spill into bedtime struggles.
5️⃣ Developmental Leaps – Language explosions, motor skill milestones, and brain growth spurts can disrupt sleep patterns.
6️⃣ Changing Sleep Needs – Nap transitions and shifting sleep requirements can throw off a toddler’s sleep rhythm.
Understanding these factors helps sleep professionals create tailored, family-centered sleep solutions.
Case Study: A Holistic Approach to Toddler Sleep
One of our graduates, Jos, shared this case study in a coaching call. She worked with a family whose two-year-old had recently stopped breastfeeding to sleep. To navigate this change, the parents introduced rocking as a new sleep association.
The Challenge? The mother developed severe back pain, making rocking unsustainable. She needed a solution that was both effective and respectful of her child’s needs.
Why a Traditional Sleep Consultant Might Struggle
A conventional sleep coach might recommend:
❌ Gradually reducing rocking while using a “gentle” withdrawal method.
❌ Encouraging independent sleep by offering verbal reassurance.
❌ Relying on a structured bedtime routine with minimal nighttime interventions.
While these strategies might work for some, they don’t address the deeper emotional and developmental needs of toddlers.
In Jos’s she looked at the bigger picture and focused on three key areas:
1. Establishing Consistent Boundaries
- Jos worked with the parents on setting consistent, predictable boundaries throughout the day—not just at bedtime.
- This helped the child feel secure, reducing resistance at night.
2. Supporting Autonomy & Control
- Toddlers thrive when they have choices.
- Jos encouraged the parents to let their child choose how they wanted to be comforted—e.g., a back rub, hand-holding, or head strokes instead of rocking.
3. Creating Predictability & Reassurance
- Jos introduced a social story—a bedtime book featuring pictures of the child—to reinforce the new routine.
- This helped the toddler understand what to expect and reduced bedtime anxiety.
Key Takeaways for Sleep Coaches
🔹 Toddler sleep isn’t just about sleep. Address emotional regulation, independence, and boundaries.
🔹 Consistency is key. Daytime boundaries help reinforce nighttime expectations.
🔹 Give toddlers a sense of control. Allowing choices reduces bedtime resistance.
🔹 Predictability eases anxiety. Tools like social stories create a sense of security.
Supporting toddler sleep holistically doesn’t just improve sleep—it strengthens family relationships and empowers parents with sustainable solutions.
Want to Support Families with Confidence?
If you want to work with toddlers and older children in a way that’s responsive, evidence-based, and developmentally appropriate, we can help.
Book a call with our team to learn more about the Holistic Sleep Coaching Program and see if it’s the right fit for you.
By expanding your skillset, you’ll go from feeling nervous about toddler sleep to confidently guiding families through even the most complex sleep challenges.
Let’s help families get the sleep they need—respectfully and effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Toddler Sleep Coaching
What makes holistic sleep coaching different from conventional sleep training?
Mainstream sleep training often focuses on quick fixes, like controlled crying or timed soothing, while holistic sleep coaching takes a developmental approach. Instead of forcing a child to sleep through the night, we help parents understand why their toddler is waking and how to support them in a responsive way.
Do toddlers need sleep training to sleep through the night?
No. Most toddlers do not need sleep training—they need age-appropriate boundaries, connection, and consistency. Many wake-ups are linked to separation anxiety, developmental milestones, or shifting sleep needs. A holistic approach works by addressing these root causes rather than enforcing sleep independence before a child is ready.
What strategies work best for toddler sleep challenges?
The best strategies depend on the child’s needs and family dynamics, but some effective approaches include:
- Consistent daytime boundaries to help toddlers understand nighttime expectations.
- Providing choices at bedtime to reduce resistance.
- Using social stories to help toddlers anticipate and accept bedtime changes.
- Gradual transitions away from sleep associations rather than abrupt changes.
I’m a sleep consultant—how can I feel more confident working with toddlers?
Many sleep consultants feel comfortable working with babies but struggle with toddlers and preschoolers. This is because toddler sleep isn’t just about sleep techniques—it’s about development, emotional security, and behavior. The Holistic Sleep Coaching Program trains professionals to understand these factors and support families confidently.
Can a holistic approach still help families who are desperate for sleep?
Yes! A holistic approach doesn’t mean parents have to accept constant wake-ups forever. Instead, we help them implement realistic, sustainable strategies that meet both the child’s needs and the family’s well-being. Many families see improvements within days or weeks when they apply developmentally appropriate techniques.
How can I learn more about supporting toddler sleep holistically?
If you’re a sleep consultant (or aspiring to be one), the Holistic Sleep Coaching Program provides in-depth training on sleep across all ages—not just infancy. We cover toddler sleep, emotional development, and practical strategies that go beyond mainstream sleep training methods.
📞 Want to build confidence in working with toddlers? Book a call to learn more about how the Holistic Sleep Coaching Program can help you support families at every stage.
