Is It Normal for Toddler Sleep to Get Worse When Parents Go Back to Work?
If this was your first week back at work and your toddler’s sleep has suddenly gone off track, you’re not imagining it.
January often arrives with good intentions: drink more water, move your body, get back into routines.
And then reality hits.
Early alarms.
Nursery bags.
Drop-offs with big feelings.
And suddenly your toddler’s sleep looks very different to how it did before Christmas.
More night wakes.
Longer bedtimes.
Earlier mornings.
If that’s you, I want you to know this straight away:
Nothing has gone wrong!
Why Toddler Sleep Often Changes After Returning to Work or Nursery
At this time of year, I speak to so many families whose children have just started or restarted nursery, childminders, or playgroup.
Even when childcare is positive and nurturing, it places extra demands on a toddler’s nervous system.
Think about what’s changed:
new environments
different caregivers
more stimulation
longer separations
busier days overall
All of this can show up overnight as:
increased night wakings
bedtime resistance
more reassurance needed
early morning wakes
This doesn’t mean your toddler has forgotten how to sleep.
It means their nervous system is working overtime.
Common Signs Sleep Is Being Affected by Childcare Transitions
You might notice:
your toddler is more wired than tired at bedtime
it takes much longer to settle them
they wake more frequently overnight
mornings start earlier than usual
These changes are incredibly common during transitions especially when combined with parents returning to work and the emotional load that brings.
The One Thing That Helps Most Right Now: Protect Bedtime
If there’s one thing I encourage families to focus on during this phase, it’s bedtime but not by pushing harder.
January is not the time for:
rigid schedules
strict bedtimes
trying to “fix” sleep quickly
Instead, the goal is to support your toddler’s nervous system back into rhythm.
Why “Protecting Bedtime” Doesn’t Mean an Earlier Bedtime
If your toddler comes home from childcare buzzing, an earlier bedtime isn’t always the answer.
What matters more is how calm their system feels before sleep.
When toddlers haven’t had time to decompress, sleep can feel harder even when they’re exhausted.
Gentle Ways to Bring Calm Back to Bedtime
Rather than aiming for a perfect bedtime on the clock, focus on connection and predictability.
That might look like:
a little kitchen disco after dinner
doing a jigsaw together
sitting on the floor for 10 minutes of quiet play
slowing the pace before bath time
These small moments help your toddler process their day and feel safe enough for sleep to follow.
And if bedtime ends up a little later while things recalibrate?
That’s okay
A Gentle January Reminder for Tired Working Parents
January isn’t a race. Sleep doesn’t need fixing. It needs support.
Easing back into routines counts as progress. Lowering expectations counts as progress. Meeting your toddler where they are right now counts as progress. If you’re back at work holding the juggle on broken sleep, you deserve support too!
When to Get Extra Support With Toddler Sleep
If you find yourself thinking: “I’d love someone to look at this with me.”
That’s often a sign you don’t need more willpower, you need guidance that fits your child, your work life, and your capacity.
Returning to work is a big transition for you and your child.
Sleep wobbles during this phase are normal, temporary, and workable with the right support.
No pressure. No rush. Just steady steps forward.
If you’d like support choosing the right next step, feel free to get in touch, I’d love to help.
