Some children regularly wake up in the middle of the night, completely awake, and either toss and turn or come and wake up their parents. This is normal development for children age 3 to 5. Older children may have problems falling back asleep after waking up in the night, so they feel tired during the day. Middle-of-the-night wakings are common during the first few years of life. This is when babies need feeding and/or changing, and usually have a number of other demands on their attention. They may also be going through a stage where they are learning how to sleep through the night. If your child wakes up frequently at night, make an appointment with your doctor. There may be a medical reason for this behavior. Nighttime wakings can be a cause for concern if your child is older than 3 or 4 years old and has not been sleeping well. Follow up with your pediatrician if you aren't getting better even with treatment. There may be another problem that needs addressing. And don't worry about those nights when your kid doesn't wake up - they're important too! Get some rest yourself!