So many parents - even of toddling or pre-school age children - struggle to get their children to sleep for the whole night without waking up or without them slipping into their parent's bed.

They wake; they demand milk; they need cuddles; they refuse to go back to sleep and they disturb you and everyone else in the house.  And, at the sound of the child stirring at night send shock waves through the parents even if the little one is just turning over or breathing a little heavier than normal.  So, even when they are not really awake... the parents are!

When sleep is in short supply all sorts of other repercussions occur.  You're grumpy, your partner is grumpy, other children in the house are effected; your efficiency slips and everyone has a rotten time!  Do you go to a doctor, let them scream it out, get up and give them everything they demand in order to get a easier and quieter life?  It is incredibly hard and unless you're in the situation you really don't know how much endless sleepless nights can disrupt all your lives.

Why do they wake? Here are some thoughts:-

• Hunger: they may feel hungry and genuinely need food or some milk.
• Potty training: if they have just started potty training, they may have a more sensitive bladder and be aware when they urinate in the night even with a night time nappy on.
• Disturbed routine: if things have changed at home or school.  A new teacher or childminder, things changed at home like Mum working more or Dad not home so often, or starting a new job.
• Outside influences: the neighbours have a new barking dog or a noisy motorbike.
• Bedtime: if you've move bedtime later or earlier this can impact on the sleep patterns.
• Stress or anxiety: are they worried about something at home or nursery?
• New baby: even a pregnancy or thought of a new sibling can effect their sleep.
• Poorly: they may be unwell so keep an eye on them.
• Teething: they may be uncomfortable with teeth emerging or causing pain even if you can't see any evidence.
• Growing pains: see our recent post on Growing Pains to understand this strange symptom.

How to help:

• If they ask for water, leave some by their bed so they can sip and return to sleep alone.  Use a sippy cup if you're worried about spillages.
• Favourite toy: make sure any favourite toys are in bed with them for comfort and show them how to cuddle up with their toys at night.
• If you do wake and sit with them, keep it boring: no chat, no lights, nothing except a cuddle and return to bed.

Despite nappy brands spending millions of pounds on branding and advertising, it seems that parents are instead trying to get their toddlers on the potty earlier to avoid the huge expense of buying nappies!  There are big ones, small ones, pink ones, ones that pull up, ones that practically light up, but instead of keeping toddlers in nappies, parents instead are attempting to train their little ones earlier so they don't need the nappies and night nappies and wipes and all the paraphernalia that comes with a baby wearing nappies!

A generation ago, when training pants were the new trendy thing for toddlers to wear, sales, obviously shot up!  Toddlers wore nappies for longer.  In America, sales of training pants went down by 10% despite birth rate going up by 3%.

It is estimated that babies go through some 2,000 nappies in their first year and some 3,000 wipes!  Double that for twins!  So, no wonder parents are opting for the more natural approach ie. teaching the children to go to the toilet!

In China things are done very differently.  Nappies and training pants are not really available. Instead, children have an open seem in their pants to help them manage going to the toilet when they are first starting.  Some babies are potty trained at six months... hard to believe but apparently true!  Once they can walk, they are trained to squat and go to the toilet when ever they need it!

It's a much cheaper option... but in the western culture, perhaps a little unusual!