The life of a preschool parent can be characterised in more ways than one. While it’s a life that’s most definitely full of excitement, fun, adventure and more love than you could imagine, there’s no denying it’s also one that’s filled with a little chaos at times! While we know that you’re loving every minute of running around in the daytime with your little youngsters, we also know how much you will cherish hitting those soft, white sheets at bedtime!

Sleep is an essential part of life, especially as a busy parent running around after a little preschooler in the daytime! But as you’ll probably know, bedtime as a parent just doesn’t always turn out to be all that restful due to one issue – the consistent visits of a certain little night owl!

So, let’s look at night visits a little more closely, help you understand why they happen, and most importantly, what you can do about them!

Why is my preschooler going through night wakings?

Nightly visits from your preschooler are a common issue that many families face, and the good news is that it’s something that will pass with time as your child develops. However, we understand that you’ll welcome some advice on the subject in the meantime.

So let’s dive into some suggestions on practical ways to deal with this issue.

How can I manage my preschooler’s night wakings?

There are more ways than one to deal with night wakings. And just having a few tricks up your sleeve can make all the difference. Whatever method you choose to manage your child’s night wakings will depend on your own parental preferences. Just remember that above all, keeping your interactions with your child brief at night is the goal.

So here are 4 methods you can try out if this is becoming a problem for you and your family. While these suggestions may work for some families, it's important to note that every child is different, and what works for one child may not work for another.

Method 1: Set up a temporary spare bed

For children, learning how to do anything independently is a process, and this goes for falling asleep too! By using method one, this is exactly what you’ll be teaching them to do. So, once your child calls out to you during the night or makes one of their night visits to your room, walk them back to their bed and climb into a temporary spare bed which is next to theirs. Once you are in the bed, face away from your child and act like you are asleep, until they fall asleep. Try to pay them little attention as you lie there. You can either stay until morning or move back to your own bed once your child has fallen asleep. Over time, your child will naturally learn how to fall asleep independently at bedtime, and the night wakings they are experiencing will decrease. At first, you may experience them becoming anxious at your going back to your own bed during the night, but they will gradually adjust and learn to self-comfort themselves back to sleep.

The effectiveness of this method may vary depending on the child and their specific sleep needs.

Method 2: Sit in a chair in your child’s room

Sometimes your child just needs to know that you’re there. Your presence alone can make a huge impact! This is especially true for method two, where you would practice coming into your child’s room if they call out to you after an awakening, tucking them back into their bed, and sitting in a chair nearby. Once you are in the chair, face away from your child and be very quiet. If you feel you need to, act as if you are asleep! Once you can see your child is asleep, move back to your own bed. However, if moving back results in multiple awakenings, try moving back to Method One to avoid losing any sleep yourself.

This method can provide reassurance to the child but may also create a dependency on the parent's presence.

Method 3: Walk your child back to the bedroom

When raising a child, consistency is always essential, as your child will quickly pick up on how strong your boundaries are. This idea is extremely relevant to method three, which can be used when your child is heading towards falling asleep independently and quickly at bedtime and night wakings are rare. This method involves simply walking your child back to their bedroom every time they come out, tucking them in, staying a moment, and then going back to your own room. Remember, if you don’t walk your child back every single time, they will learn that there are instances in which you will give up and let them into your room.

This method relies on clear expectations and consistent enforcement of boundaries.

Method 4: Make a “nest” in your room

It’s well known that some children will be a bit more persistent than others and this will make the process of decreasing night visits a bit more difficult. If this is the case, then method four is for you! This method involves setting up a temporary “nest” in your room. For example, the nest can be a loveseat, a small spare mattress, a sleeping bag on some couch cushions, etc. Try not to make it too comfortable for them or this will be their sleeping spot of choice each and every night! When your child comes into your room at night, direct them to their nest to go back to sleep, and make sure they understand that if they aren’t quiet after coming in that they will be directed quickly back to their own room.

This method can provide a compromise between the child's desire for proximity and the parent's need for uninterrupted sleep.

It's essential to remember that every child is unique. It may take some trial and error to find the most effective approach for your child. If you're struggling with persistent night wakings or if your child's sleep patterns significantly disrupt their daily functioning, it may be helpful to consult with a paediatrician or a sleep specialist for personalised guidance and support.

How do I deal with night visits from my preschooler?

Help your child change this common behaviour if you feel it’s problematic.