Abstract
•Synthesizes evidence on infant and toddler sleep consolidation.•Links biological, behavioral, and environmental influences on sleep.•Reviews effective, developmentally appropriate behavioral interventions.•Emphasizes caregiver roles and individualized, family-centered approaches.•Provides a practical framework for promoting early healthy sleep habits.
The reader will come to appreciate that:•Nighttime awakenings is one of the most common concerns of caregivers during infancy and toddlerhood.•There is a strong evidence base for infant sleep interventions, largely based in behavioral and social learning theories.•Infant sleep interventions require considerable effort from caregivers, necessitating a family-centered approach that supports both child and caregiver well-being.
Consolidated nighttime sleep is a critical milestone in infant development, underpinning physical, cognitive, and socioemotional growth. Despite being a normative maturational process, fragmented sleep and difficulties initiating/maintaining sleep are common parental concerns. This review synthesizes developmental and behavioral science to elucidate mechanisms and evidence-based strategies that foster healthy sleep consolidation in infants and toddlers. First, we describe the evolution of sleep architecture and the interaction between circadian and homeostatic processes that regulate sleep-wake cycles. Then, we highlight how environmental and caregiving factors support these biological systems. Lastly, we describe behavioral strategies and the influence of environmental elements on circadian entrainment and independent sleep initiation. Across approaches, we emphasize the importance of family-centered implementation, where caregivers can both promote and benefit from optimal infant sleep. This review provides clinicians, researchers, and caregivers with a comprehensive framework to promote sleep consolidation and well-being during early childhood.