Have you ever wished you could go back to the carefree days of your childhood, when naps were the norm, which may not have been your favorite pastime at the time, or you might have been reluctant to take them? As adults, things get better, we crave and value sleep, but many children struggle with it. Playing and exploring all day long is much more exciting for a toddler, so they may want to avoid bedtime and the activities that go with it. After all, nothing fun happens while they’re asleep. Couple that with a toddler’s desire, and you may already have the nighttime battle on your hands.
Despite the constant tug-of-war at bedtime, it's important to start developing good sleep habits and routines at a young age. Many children struggle with sleep problems, which can affect their entire day, making them less alert, less attentive, less able to concentrate, and easily distracted. In addition, a child can become physically impulsive and hyperactive.
To prevent this from happening in your child's life, here are some sleep tips to make going to bed easier:
How to improve your child's sleep habits?
Establishing a bedtime routine and approach is important, no matter your child's age. It's important to remember that sleep is incredibly important for toddlers due to the critical brain development in the early years. So what can you do with stubborn toddlers who struggle to fall asleep late at night? Fortunately, there are some effective sleep tips and methods to ensure your little one gets the amount of sleep they need.
- Beginnings
The bedtime routine can last about 20 minutes and involves three or four calming activities, usually done at the same time and in the same way every night before bed. This allows the brain to settle into a routine and automatically start sleeping when the nighttime routine is well established, making the transition to sleep a little easier.
- Push the boundaries
Most of the nighttime requests children make are delaying tactics, with little ones quickly figuring out exactly what to say to make it harder for them to fall asleep. Toddlers test their strategies on different family members, and when they find a weak spot, they strike.
Once the nightly routine is over and the delay tactics begin, parents need to be sure they have set a boundary and won't give in to the child, otherwise they will seize the opportunity and throw in the tactic more often. So the key is to stick to your regular schedule. Kindly decline requests and then leave the room.
- Robot mode
If you've done what you read above, ignored the tantrums, and left the room, the first half of the battle is over. The second half begins when your toddler follows you to the door, refuses to go back to bed, and even starts making demands.
For each such attempt, immediately put the child back in bed and repeat the same thing like a robot: “I love you. It’s bedtime. I’ll see you in the morning.” These are usually enough. Phrase your sentences with as little emotion as possible. Don’t argue, just put the child back in bed every time you leave him.
Children are incredibly persistent, so this may take 50 or 100 attempts in the first few days. While this may seem daunting, remember that persistence and consistency are key, and any emotional response (positive or negative) can reinforce sleep or prevent it. If your child is angry, they know the tactic is working. Stay neutral. If you are consistent, the arguments should usually subside after day 3 of this technique.
- Reward a good night
Toddlers love rewards. Using sticker books can be a great way to change behavior. If bedtime has become a struggle, simply tell your child that they will get a sticker for every easy bedtime. Once a certain number of stickers are accumulated, the child will receive an even bigger reward.
For most children, establishing evening routines, setting limits, and rewarding good behavior will be the key to getting to bed and getting a good night's sleep. If you have tried all of the above but to no avail, or you are concerned that this may be causing anxiety in your child, be sure to see your pediatrician.
