Is my toddler getting enough sleep?? An honest answer from a Michigan sleep coach

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When you’ve got a toddler at home, sleep can feel like a never-ending puzzle. Some nights your child is out like a light, and other nights? You’re both up at 2 a.m., wondering what went wrong. If you’ve found yourself googling “how much sleep does my toddler need” in the middle of the night, you’re in the right place.

At Detroit Dreams Tonight, we work with families across Michigan to bring rest back into their homes through live-in sleep coaching support. And it often starts with this exact question: “Is my toddler getting enough sleep?”

How Much Sleep Do Toddlers Actually Need?

Every child is unique, but most toddlers need 11–14 hours of total sleep in a 24-hour period (including naps). Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • 12-36 months old 11–14 hours (1–2 naps a day)

  • 36 months - 5 years old: 10–13 hours (usually 1 nap or no nap)

But don’t focus too much on the numbers because more than anything, the quality of sleep your toddler gets is most important. Sure, you don’t want an overtired toddler, but every child is unique and their day-to-day patterns will tell you a lot about their quality of sleep. If your toddler has frequent night wakings, is waking early (before 6am unless that’s the planned wake time), is consistently skipped naps, or you have nightly bedtime battles, your child may not be getting the restorative sleep they need.

Why Quality & Quantity of Your Toddler Sleeps Matters

The quality and quantity of your toddler’s sleep doesn’t just mean they’re “less cranky” throughout the day and that you’ll face fewer battles around sleep. Quality sleep supports:

  • Healthy brain development and learning

  • Emotional regulation (which can lead to fewer meltdowns)

  • Stronger immune function

  • Better moods for everyone in the household

Quality sleep becomes a cornerstone for your child’s wellbeing and for you as their parent!

Signs Your Toddler May Not Be Getting Enough Sleep

  • Frequent night wakings or early morning wakeups

  • Long, drawn-out bedtime battles

  • Fussiness, clinginess, or meltdowns during the day

  • Falling asleep in the car (or anywhere they sit still)

  • Trouble focusing or playing independently

If any of these sound familiar, it might be time to take a closer look at not only their sleep routines, but their day-to-day schedules, their home environment, their nutrition, their physical exertion and more!

Why Toddler Sleep Struggles Happen

Toddler sleep disruptions are SUPER common and can happen for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Developmental leaps, growing independence, and testing boundaries

  • Dropping naps before they’re truly ready

  • Inconsistent bedtime routines

  • Overtiredness from missed sleep cues

  • Sleep associations that make it hard to self-soothe

  • Allergies or other health issues

  • Not enough physical exertion during the day

  • Confusion around sleep expectations

The good news? Sleep challenges at this age are very fixable with the right support.

In-Home Toddler Sleep Support

Many parents feel like they should “just know” how to fix their toddler’s sleep struggles or will read book after book trying to find the right solution. But the truth is: sleep isn’t always intuitive. That’s where professional support can make a world difference.

At Detroit Dreams Tonight, we offer personalized toddler sleep coaching designed for Michigan families. We help you:

  • Identify what’s really disrupting your child’s sleep

  • Create a clear and consistent plan

  • Build routines that work for your family’s lifestyle

  • Address food sensitivities or other health issues that may disrupting sleep

  • Create structure through your day to ensure a healthy amount of sleep

  • Support your toddler in learning independent, healthy sleep habits

We’ll meet you where you are and guide you toward better sleep, step by step. Our program offers hands-on, live-in support, accountability to stick with the plan, plus weeks of follow up support to ensure that the skills and routines create long-term positive sleep habits.

Better Toddler Sleep Starts Here

If you’re lying awake wondering how to help your toddler sleep better, that’s your sign to get support. A well-rested child means a well-rested parent, and yes, that’s possible for your family, too.

Ready to make sleep easier? Book your free sleep assessment with Detroit Dreams Tonight today and let’s bring peace back to bedtime.

**FAQ: Toddler Sleep Questions from Michigan Parents **

Q: My toddler still wakes up once or twice a night — is that normal?
A: Some night wakings can be normal especially if your child is battling an illness or going through a developmental leap, but frequent or long wakings usually signal a sleep habit that needs adjusting. With the right routine and support, many toddlers can sleep through the night.

Q: What if my toddler is ready to drop naps but still seems tired?
A: Many toddlers transition too early. We can help you determine whether they need a nap adjustment or a full transition, without adding overtiredness to the mix.

Q: Will sleep training make my child cry it out?
A: Some tears are expected and completely normal but we do not subscribe to “cry it out” techniques. Change is hard. Learning new things is hard. And your toddler may get frustrated through this process. We do our best to keep the tears to a minimum.

Q: What areas do you serve?
A: We are based in Metro Detroit and offer live-in support throughout the state of Michigan. Live-in support is available outside of Michigan for an additional fee.