Confirmed: Many parents put their kids to bed far too early

Factors like the amount of light as well as the child’s own physical make up could determine when melatonin is at the right level but it varies from child to child.

The scientists said that choosing a bedtime that is out of sync with the child’s body clock is what causes sleepless nights – for both the child and parents.

They also warned that sleepless nights for toddlers could lead to them growing up with emotional and behavioural problems in later life.