Sleep Training Q&A: Toddler Sleep Mysteries Solved

If toddler sleep has felt like one big mystery lately, you’re not alone—and you’re in the right place. Today’s Q&A is all about real-life sleep struggles straight from my Instagram DMs, where I answer your questions every Wednesday.

We’re breaking down what’s actually behind those toddler sleep challenges and the practical strategies that will help you bring calm back to bedtime—without the endless battles or guesswork.

Let’s dive into your questions and get you one step closer to peaceful evenings and well-rested mornings.

• Why does your kid keep kicking off their blanket… even when they wake up cold?

• What’s the ideal wake window for a 3-year-old who still naps?

• And is it bad for your toddler to fall asleep with music or audiobooks?

Tired of midnight blanket calls? Here’s the fix

“Why does my son keep kicking off his blanket… even when he wakes up cold?”

If your toddler keeps waking you up to pull their blanket back on (or insists they’re cold but refuses to use one), believe me, I get how maddening that can be. You’re half-asleep, stumbling down the hall, tucking them in for the fifth time, wondering why they can’t just keep the blanket on and let everyone sleep.

But here’s the truth: this is one of the most common (and honestly, most clever) middle-of-the-night “games” toddlers play. I remember when my own daughter roped me into this exact routine when she was three. But the good news? You can absolutely stop it with a few simple tweaks.

First: Remember—this is a habit, not a problem.

Toddlers are creatures of habit. I can’t tell you exactly why your child called for you that first night. Maybe they were cold, or maybe the blanket really did slip off. But when you came in, tucked them in, and kissed them goodnight? That felt good. Warm. Comforting. 

And so… they tried it again. And again.

Before long, that innocent 2 a.m. snuggle turned into a learned pattern. But here’s the thing: since this habit was learned with your help, it can be unlearned with your help, too.

Next: Make sure they’re actually warm.

You want to remove any real reason for the wake-ups. A few ideas to keep them cozy:

• Footed pajamas or fuzzy socks (toddlers love the soft ones).

• A sleep sack or wearable blanket—it’s cozy and hard to kick off.

• Weighted blanket or compression sheet for extra snugness.

• Practice pulling the blanket up during the daytime—turn it into a game! Mess up the covers and see who can fix them faster. It’s a fun way to show them they’re capable.

Finally: Stop the overnight rescue missions.

Once you know they’re warm and comfortable, it’s time to break the pattern. Tell your child ahead of time that you won’t be fixing blankets in the middle of the night anymore. If they do call out, calmly walk them back to bed, but skip the tucking, adjusting, and long cuddles.

When the extra attention stops, so will the 2 a.m. wake-ups.

Toddler sleep schedule confusion? What to keep in mind

“What’s the ideal wake window for a 3-year-old who still naps for 1.5 hours?”

Once kids are over 2, I actually don’t rely on wake windows anymore. They can be super helpful when your baby’s taking multiple naps a day, but once you’re in toddler territory, the clock (and your child’s cues) are your best guides.

That said, here’s what a solid schedule for a 3-year-old might look like:

• Wake-up: Between 6:00–7:00 a.m.

• Nap: Starts between 12:30–1:30 p.m. and ends by 2:30 p.m.

• Bedtime: Between 7:00–8:00 p.m.

If bedtime is drifting later than 8:00 p.m., try capping the nap at one hour or moving it slightly earlier so they’re awake by 2:00.

And if your little one starts resisting that midday nap altogether, that’s a sign it may be time to start the nap drop. I have a few videos that walk you through how to do this smoothly—so your toddler doesn’t get overtired and you can keep evenings calm.

Does falling asleep to music help or hurt your toddler’s sleep?

“My kid always wants to fall asleep with music or audiobooks. Is that bad?”

It depends on your child—but in most cases, I don’t recommend falling asleep to songs or audiobooks. Here’s why:

1. They turn off eventually. Once the sound stops, it can interrupt your child’s sleep cycle or even cause them to wake up when the room suddenly goes quiet.

2. Sleep conditions need to stay consistent. Kids sleep best when their environment stays the same all night long. If they drift into a lighter stage of sleep and realize the music or story has stopped, that change can trigger a wake-up.

3. It keeps the brain too active. Research shows that people don’t reach as deep a sleep when listening to something engaging, like music or a story. Anything the brain has to follow along with can keep sleep lighter.

That’s why I recommend white noise that stays on all night instead—it’s steady, predictable, and soothing for the brain.

That said, every child is different. If your little one falls asleep to music and sleeps peacefully through the night, great! But if you’re seeing those 2 a.m. wake-ups, the bedtime playlist might be the culprit.

Toddler sleep doesn’t have to be a battle

Toddler sleep doesn’t have to feel like guesswork or luck. Once you understand what’s really behind the kicking blankets, late naps, or midnight music requests, you can start making small changes that actually stick. Remember: your child’s sleep habits are learned, and that means they can be reshaped. With a consistent routine, clear boundaries, and a calm environment, you’ll start seeing smoother nights (and saner evenings) before you know it.