Typical Sleep Behavior in Preschoolers (3 to 5 Years) – Grand Rapids, MI Guide

Preschoolers aged 3 to 5 years typically need 10 to 13 hours of sleep in a 24‑hour period. For many children in Grand Rapids, this includes a long night-time sleep and, for some, a short daytime nap. As your child gets closer to kindergarten age, daytime naps usually become shorter and may stop altogether.

In West Michigan, long winter nights, early sunsets, and busy summer days can all affect your child’s sleep schedule. Keeping a consistent routine helps Grand Rapids preschoolers sleep well year-round.

How Preschoolers Sleep (Ages 3–5)

Typical Sleep Needs

  • Total sleep: 10–13 hours per 24 hours
  • Many 3-year-olds still nap once a day
  • By age 4–5, many children stop napping or only nap occasionally
  • Bedtimes between 7:00–8:30 p.m. are common in this age group

If your preschooler in Grand Rapids is active, growing, and generally happy during the day, they are likely getting enough sleep.

Nightmares, Night Terrors, and Night-Time Fears

Many Preschoolers Experience Nightmares and Night Terrors

It’s very common for 3- to 5-year-olds to:

  • Have nightmares (bad dreams they remember)
  • Have night terrors (episodes of crying or screaming in deep sleep, usually not remembered)
  • Develop fears of the dark, monsters, or sleeping alone

These can be more noticeable in winter in Grand Rapids when it gets dark early and children spend more time indoors.

How This Affects Sleep

Nightmares and night terrors can:

  • Make it harder for your child to fall asleep
  • Cause more frequent night waking
  • Lead to your child calling out for you or coming into your bed

Whether you allow your preschooler to sleep in your bed is a family choice. The most important thing is to be consistent and calm, and to respond in a way that feels right for your family.

Supporting Positive Sleep Habits

Recognize and Respond to Tired Signs

Watch for your preschooler’s tired cues, such as:

  • Rubbing eyes
  • Becoming more emotional or irritable
  • Clumsiness or increased “hyper” behavior
  • Yawning or losing interest in play

Try to start your bedtime routine before your child becomes overtired.

Use a Positive, Consistent Bedtime Routine

A simple, predictable routine helps children in Grand Rapids feel safe and ready for sleep. For example:

  1. Quiet play after dinner
  2. Bath or wash-up
  3. Brush teeth and use the toilet
  4. Put on pajamas
  5. Read a book or tell a calm story
  6. Hugs, goodnight phrases, lights out

Keeping this routine consistent, even on weekends, helps your child’s body learn when it’s time to sleep.

Bedtime Fading: Using Your Child’s Natural Sleep Rhythm

Some families find bedtime fading helpful when a preschooler takes a very long time to fall asleep or frequently gets out of bed.

Bedtime fading uses your child’s natural tendency to sleep the right amount (called sleep homeostasis):

  • Start by temporarily moving bedtime later to a time when your child actually seems sleepy
  • Once your child falls asleep more quickly at that later time, move bedtime earlier by about 10–15 minutes every few nights
  • Continue until you reach a bedtime that works for your family and allows enough total sleep

This approach can reduce bedtime battles and night waking when used consistently.

Reward Charts and Visual Tools

Reward charts, wall posters, or child-friendly apps can be helpful tools for changing sleep-related behavior.

They can be used to encourage goals such as:

  • Staying in bed after lights out
  • Using the toilet before bed
  • Staying dry overnight (for some children)
  • Getting into bed calmly and on time

Use simple, positive rewards such as stickers, extra story time, or choosing the bedtime book. Focus on praising effort and small successes.

Moving from a Crib (Cot) to a Bed

If you notice your preschooler trying to climb out of their crib, it may be time to move them into a bed for safety.

This often happens between:

  • 2 to 3½ years, but can be as early as 18 months for some children

Tips for a smooth crib-to-bed transition:

  • Talk about the change ahead of time in a positive way
  • Let your child help choose bedding or a pillow
  • Keep the bedtime routine the same
  • Make the bedroom safe (secure furniture, cover outlets, consider a gate if needed)

Feeling Secure, Loved, and Connected

Why Emotional Security Matters for Sleep

Preschoolers sleep best when they feel:

  • Safe
  • Loved
  • Valued by adults

You can support this by:

  • Responding warmly and calmly at bedtime and during night wakings
  • Offering hugs, reassurance, and simple explanations (“You’re safe. I’m nearby.”)
  • Using a gentle, steady voice
  • Avoiding punishment related to sleep or bedwetting

Positive, loving interactions help build strong parent–child relationships and support healthy sleep patterns.

Tracking Your Preschooler’s Sleep

If sleep is a struggle, it can help to track your child’s sleep for a week:

Write down:

  • Bedtime and wake-up time
  • How long it takes to fall asleep
  • Night wakings (time and length)
  • Naps (time and length)
  • Any events that might affect sleep (illness, travel, big changes at home)

This can give you a clearer picture of what’s going on and is very helpful to share with your pediatrician or family doctor in Grand Rapids.

Bedwetting in Preschoolers (Night-Time Wetting)

Bedwetting Is Very Common

As many preschoolers stop using diapers or pull-ups at night, bedwetting often becomes more noticeable. This is very common in 3- to 5-year-olds and is usually a normal part of development.

Bedwetting can:

  • Lead to more frequent night waking
  • Cause stress or embarrassment for some children if not handled gently

Possible Causes of Bedwetting

There are several reasons a child may wet the bed at night, including:

  • Producing larger than usual amounts of urine at night
  • Deep sleep – they do not wake when their bladder is full
  • Having a small bladder, so it fills quickly
  • A family history of bedwetting – if parents wet the bed as children, their kids are more likely to do so
  • Certain conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be linked with higher rates of bedwetting

How to Support a Child Who Wets the Bed

  • Stay calm and reassuring – avoid blame or punishment
  • Use waterproof mattress covers and have extra bedding ready
  • Encourage your child to use the toilet right before bed
  • Limit large drinks close to bedtime (especially sugary or caffeinated drinks)
  • Praise effort, not just dry nights

Most children outgrow bedwetting as their bodies and brains mature.

Talk with your child’s doctor in Grand Rapids if:

  • Bedwetting starts suddenly after being dry
  • Your child is in pain, very thirsty, or urinating very often during the day
  • Bedwetting continues to be very distressing for your child or family

Local Sleep and Child Health Support in Grand Rapids, MI

If you’re worried about your preschooler’s sleep, you don’t have to manage it alone. Families in Grand Rapids have access to several local resources.

Talk to Your Child’s Doctor

Start with:

  • Your pediatrician
  • Your family doctor or primary care provider

Major health systems serving Grand Rapids include:

  • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) – multiple pediatric and family medicine clinics across Grand Rapids
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids – pediatric and family practices on the west side and surrounding areas
  • University of Michigan Health-West (formerly Metro Health) – Wyoming and greater Grand Rapids region
  • Mercy Health – primary care and pediatric services throughout West Michigan

Ask about sleep concerns, bedwetting, behavior changes, snoring, or breathing pauses during sleep.

Public Health and Parenting Support

For general child health and development support:

  • Kent County Health Department

    • Offers child and family health programs, immunizations, and parenting resources
    • Website: search “Kent County Health Department child health”

  • Grand Rapids Public Health / City of Grand Rapids

    • Provides community health programs and links to local services

  • Local parenting and family support programs

    • Many Grand Rapids hospitals offer parenting classes, including sessions on sleep, behavior, and child development
    • Check the websites of Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and U of M Health-West for current offerings

If you need urgent advice about your child’s health or sleep, you can also call your health system’s nurse advice line (often available 24/7) or speak with an on-call pediatrician.

When to Seek Professional Help About Sleep

Consider getting professional help if:

  • Your preschooler regularly takes more than an hour to fall asleep
  • Nightmares, fears, or night terrors are very frequent or severe
  • Your child snores loudly, has pauses in breathing, or seems very tired during the day
  • Bedwetting is causing major stress for your child or family
  • You’ve tried consistent routines and strategies for 1–2 weeks with little improvement

A healthcare provider in Grand Rapids can:

  • Check for medical issues (such as sleep apnea, allergies, or urinary problems)
  • Offer behavior strategies tailored to your child
  • Refer you to a pediatric sleep specialist or child psychologist if needed

Key Points for Grand Rapids Parents

  • Your preschooler (3–5 years) will usually sleep 10–13 hours in 24 hours.
  • Many preschoolers experience nightmares, night terrors, and night-time fears.
  • A calm, consistent bedtime routine and responding to your child in a warm, positive way support healthy sleep.
  • Bedwetting is very common at this age and usually improves with time; avoid punishment or shaming.
  • If sleep or bedwetting is causing concern, talk with your pediatrician or family doctor in Grand Rapids or connect with local resources like the Kent County Health Department for guidance and support.

By understanding your preschooler’s sleep patterns and responding with patience and consistency, you can help your child develop healthy sleep habits that support their growth and well-being in every Grand Rapids season.