HOW TO GET YOUR TODDLER TO SLEEP
Although many parents prepare themselves for their new born baby to disrupt their sleep cycle, many parents get a nasty surprise when they realize that their toddlers can also be quite difficult when it comes to bedtimes and naps. In fact the problem seems to be compounded as your toddler will now reason, argue and debate with you on why he/she should stay awake.
However toddlers are creatures of habit and they need that kind of order and discipline in their lives, as it brings about security and comfort. Toddlers typically need 11-13 hours of sleep and sometimes they refuse to comply with this. So for whatever reason your toddlers sleep habits have gone askew, weekend at the grandparents’ house, illness or vacations, you can still re-establish timely sleep patterns.
Here are some common problems associated with bedtime and naps and solutions on how to fix them:
YOUR TODDLER IS TIRED, CRANKY AND SLEEPY BUT REFUSES TO TAKE A NAP OR ADMIT THAT HE IS SLEEPY.
Also see: how to handle:temper tantrums
WHAT CAN BE DONE:
You know he is sleepy but when he refuses and protests the idea of a ‘nap’ then one thing you can do is pretend to give up, tell him fine don’t sleep but instead have a little quite time. This ‘quite time’ is just you renaming nap time without your toddler realizing it. So give him a book or a small game, but nothing too stimulating like videos etc, and let him lie down on the bed with you and create a soothing environment (closing the drapes and shutting off all outside noise). Chances are more often than not your toddler will eventually be overcome with sleep.
OTHER TIPS IN THIS SITUATION:
If this is common occurrence then it is time to start establishing the afternoon nap routine. Every day at the same time (preferably before he even gets to the cranky stage) start to make the toddlers room conducive to sleep as described above. Pretty soon he will start napping at that time.
Also he could be awake due to too much sugar so ensure that his lunch does not have foods that make him stay awake.
YOUR TODDLER TRIES TO PUT OFF BEDTIME FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.
Just before bedtime your toddler will come up with lots of requests, demands or negotiations just so that she can put off bedtime.
WHAT CAN BE DONE:
Anticipate all the requests that your toddler might have including water, going to the bathroom, a bed time story or hugs and kisses. So if her bedtime is 7.30 then try to get all of the above (and whatever normal requests she usually has) before that time and once the clock strikes 7.30, do not entertain her requests any more. Make sure to be clear on this rule before itself and stick to the plan.
ANOTHER TIP FOR THIS SITUATION:
Your toddler might revolt against you setting her bedtime so instead you can make her plan her own bedtime earlier. Let her choose her pajamas, which story she wants to be read (8 tips for bedtime reading) and once it is done make sure she knows that she needs to sleep.
YOUR TODDLER REFUSES TO SLEEP ALONE BECAUSE HE IS SCARED OF THE DARK
WHAT CAN BE DONE:
It is very common for toddlers to be scared of the dark and parents should try to make the toddler feel safe by:
*Putting a low-wattage night light in the bedroom
*Playing soothing music that can distract your toddler from scary thoughts
*Check under the bed and inside the closets with your toddler before bedtime for any scary monsters to show your toddler that nothing is in the room that he needs to be scared of.
However it is important for a toddler to try and sleep on his own after all these measures have been taken. Staying inside every night with your toddler until he falls asleep might be creating too much dependency between you and your toddlers sleep.
YOUR TODDLER KEEPS LEAVING THE BEDROOM AFTER YOU HAVE TUCKED HER IN
WHAT CAN BE DONE:
It is seen that after being tucked in, toddlers keep coming outside their rooms to see what their parents are doing or to want to generally spend time with them. Many parents find that a simple assurance about the fact that nothing interesting is happening outside along with a firmly leading your child back into her bedroom (without reacting or reprimanding them. Your child might want to engage you in a conversation but do not entertain them) how many ever times she comes outside, works eventually. Ultimately your toddler will realize that you will not entertain her anymore and will stay in bed.
OTHER TIPS IN THIS SITUATION:
Remind your toddler firmly after tucking him in that he needs to stay in bed and fall asleep.
If your toddler claims to be bored then tell him to sing himself to sleep and that you will not be entertaining any requests after bedtime and ignore any calls from the bedroom