This post is about how to reset your child's sleep schedule after the holidays. If you are experiencing split nights with your child, keep reading!
If your toddler is awake for hours in the middle of the night—happy, wired, and ready to party—you’re likely dealing with split nights in toddlers. And if this started in January, you’re not imagining things.
As a mom of four and someone who ran a daycare for 13 years, I see split nights in toddlers spike every single year after the holidays. January sleep hits differently.
But party season is over, so how do you end the middle-of-the-night party with your toddler? Let's talk about the what, why and HOW to fix it!
What Are Split Nights in Toddlers?
Split nights in toddlers happen when a child wakes overnight and stays awake for 1–4 hours, often without crying. This isn’t hunger or discomfort—it’s a schedule and regulation issue.
Parents often assume it’s a sleep regression, but most of the time, it’s misaligned sleep pressure.
Why Split Nights are Common After the Holidays
During the holidays, routines loosen:
- Later bedtimes
- Sleeping in
- Extra naps or skipped naps
- Overstimulation
All of this reduces sleep pressure. When January hits, toddlers may still be getting too much daytime or total sleep, leading to split nights in toddlers.
I saw this constantly in my daycare classrooms, and I’ve lived it in my own home. A toddler who naps great during the day but throws a rave at 2am is a classic sign.
What Actually Helps Fix Split Nights in Toddlers
To reduce split nights in toddlers, focus on:
- A consistent wake time (even after a rough night)
- Age-appropriate nap limits
- Enough awake time before bed
- Calmer evenings with less stimulation
Fixing split nights isn’t about responding differently overnight—it’s about adjusting the day.
When to Look at the Bigger Picture
If split nights in toddlers keep happening, it’s often a sign the overall sleep schedule needs a reset—especially in January.
If you’re considering sleep training in January, start with the foundation first. When schedules are aligned, nights almost always follow.
If you need some support around fixing your child's daytime routine to end split nights, I invite you to book a 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Call to find the cause and revamp your little one's daytime routine. Book your call here: Book Your Ask-Me-Anything Call Here
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