Natural Health: My toddler is not sleeping through the night

Plus: natural ways of dealing with maternal mastitis

Fri, 24 Oct, 2025 - 01:00

Megan Sheppard

My two-year-old is still not sleeping through the night, which is exhausting. I make sure to stick to a strict routine during the day, but it seems to make little difference.

My friends say it will improve once she starts play school and tires herself out. Is there anything I can do in the meantime?

You are already doing the right thing by establishing a daytime routine.

I would imagine that you have a bedtime routine as well — a warm bath or shower can help to calm the nervous system.

It also helps if you keep stimulating activities to a minimum — no screens for at least an hour before bed — dim the bedroom lights and read a book (or several).

Your friends are quite right that play school activities can help tire little ones, so they tend to sleep more easily at night. All children are different, so keep in mind that what works well for one child may not work for another.

In some cases, eating a small protein-rich snack an hour before bedtime may help with relaxation, whereas other children may find that eating food close to bed has the opposite effect. As with everything in raising children, trial and error is often the only way.

Meditations for children, gentle yoga, and breathing activities can help soothe busy brains.

Singing or humming while tapping the body from head to toe is a great way to get out of our heads and into our bodies at any age. This can help us switch from thinking mode to feeling mode and remind us that we are, in fact, tired after a long day.

The cell salt Kali Phos (New Era No 6) is a gentle remedy that may be of use. Cell salts are homoeopathic doses of essential minerals considered vital to health. Kali Phos contains potassium phosphate and is thought to help with sleeplessness, over-excitement, and nervous conditions. It is often recommended to promote a sense of calm and relaxation.

New Era cell salts dissolve under the tongue, making them ideal for little ones. They are safe for all ages and are not contraindicated with medications or supplements (although they do contain lactose). The dose for your daughter would be two melts, three times daily.

You can purchase New Era cell salts from Homeopathy Supplies Ireland (homeopathysuppliesireland.ie), where 240 fast melts cost €12.95 or check your local health store.

I developed mastitis while breastfeeding my first child. I was shocked by how painful it could be. I ended up needing antibiotics to clear the infection.

I’m due to give birth to my second child in two months. Is there anything I can do to reduce the likelihood of developing the condition again?

While mastitis is indeed incredibly painful, the benefit of having experienced it before makes you well-equipped to sense any concerning changes before it strikes again.

Having said that, there are a few things that you can do to minimise your chances of developing this painful condition this time around.

It is important to consider any issues with latching, so you might want to consult a lactation consultant after your child is born. Tongue-tie is a common issue that can affect latch and breastmilk flow.

Feeling stressed and fatigued can also contribute to mastitis, so ensure you have a good support network to help you get some much-needed rest.

Vitamin C and lecithin are supplements that may help prevent (and treat) mastitis. There is also a popular homoeopathic remedy, Phytolacca, thought to help prevent and treat the condition. If you plan to use homoeopathy as a preventative measure, it is a good idea to see a qualified homoeopath for a professional diagnosis.