Episode 13: Toddler Night Wakings, Early Rising, and Nap Refusal: Your Pediatric Sleep Questions Answered

This episode of The Sleep Edit is all about you—our listeners. We’re tackling the most common (and frustrating) pediatric sleep challenges straight from your inbox: What to do when your toddler suddenly won’t napHow to handle a preschooler who wakes five times a nightWhen to push bedtime later—and when not toStrategies for night weaning, managing anxiety, and fixing early morning wake-upsPlus: Why our parents swear we were “better sleepers” back in the ’80s and ’90s Whether you’re a parent in the trenches or a sleep consultant supporting families, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world context. ⏱️ Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome & Disclaimer 01:55 — How Long Should a One-Nap Schedule Last? A parent asks how long to let a toddler nap after transitioning to one nap—without disrupting night sleep. 04:24 — Does Your Toddler Need a Later Bedtime? Signs that bedtime might be too early and what research says about optimal timing. 07:15 — Arielle’s Take on 24-Hour Sleep A fellow consultant asks Arielle how she explains this foundational concept. 10:32 — What Is 24-Hour Sleep Anyway? A parent wants to understand how to think about total daily sleep needs. 12:59 — Easiest Way to Night Wean a Toddler Strategies for toddlers waking twice a night for milk. 16:05 — Why Were 80s Babies “Better Sleepers”? Craig answers a fun cultural question: Have parenting expectations changed—or is it selective memory? 21:18 — 4-Year-Old Suddenly Waking All Night (Tried Everything) Becky shares a sleep regression story after months of solid sleep and multiple failed interventions. 26:45 — 2-Year-Old Needs Touch to Fall Asleep, Progressive Breaks Failing Charlotte asks whether this method is right for her daughter after meltdowns. 32:17 — 7-Year-Old with Bedtime Anxiety & Nightmares A parent shares a common dilemma: supporting an anxious child without becoming a permanent bedtime fixture. 39:12 — 5-Year-Old Calls Out But Stays in Bed Carys from the UK wonders how to manage frequent call-outs from a child who does fall asleep independently. 44:06 — Toddler Wakes at 5 a.m.—Can We Shift Later? Anjo asks how to extend a solid 7–5 schedule without creating new problems. 46:50 — Sibling Sleep Chaos: Two Kids, Two Problems Pat shares a double trouble scenario: one kid waking for milk, another up too early and waking the house. 51:03 — Nap Refusal at Home, But Not Daycare Morgan asks how to handle nap refusal at home after major life changes (new baby, new daycare). 55:10 — Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up Links Arielle’s new website : Expect to Sleep Again Arielle on Instagram: @expecttosleepagain Research links: Metanalysis showing that earlier bedtimes led to more sleep Small study of infants showing sleep extension with earlier bedtimes Dr. Canapari’s articles: Do Wake Windows Help Babies and Kids Nap Better? How to Stop Night Feedings Huggy puppy intervention for night time fears Early morning awakenings: What to do about them Bedtime pass for middle of the night awakening Accommodations and anxiety Progressive breaks sleep training method Camping out method sleep training