There are a lot of different tips and tricks available to help you with your toddlers bedtime that will help get them to sleep on time and sleep through the night. Family member and friends have probably offered many suggestions some of which you use. There are some important tips that you really pay attention to, in order to makes sure that you’re not fighting with your kids when it comes to bedtime.
Establish a Toddler Bedtime Routine
One of the most important tips is starting a routine as early as possible. This means that as soon as your baby starts sleeping longer and develops some sort of pattern, you need to establish a routine. The more you or your spouse, or both of you can be involved, the better. Set a time at night when it is time for sleep, and start getting them ready at least an hour before this time.
Limit their day time naps. One of the problems with getting a toddler to bed on time is that many people allow their kids to take too long of a nap during the day, and this makes them wide awake at night. Cut down their day naps to just an hour or less, and never let them nap too late in the afternoon. Even if they are groggy when the wake up, don’t let them oversleep.
Establish a routine before bed. There are many different ways you can do this. One of them is to give them a nice warm relaxing bath just before bed, massaging them gently around the neck and shoulders. The warm water will soothe them, and get their bodies to loosen up from the day. You can also read to them before bedtime, and it should be a book that is not too exciting, but will keep them engaged, rather than bored.
Don’t feed them too late in the evening. Toddlers need time to digest food just like adults. If you feed them too late, then they have to burn off this energy some how, and it is usually with wanting to stay up longer, fidgeting around, and being generally irritating – making your toddlers bedtime a much more difficult process. You can also play with them before you start their nightly routine, and this can do a lot to wear them out. Play mind stimulating games, things to test their eye hand coordination, because engaging their brains will not only keep them from boredom, but also cause them to get tired.
Try not to be upset before they go to bed. Toddlers sense a parents anxiety, and this can keep them from being relaxed as well. Start an evening routine yourself, like watching a little television, reading a book out loud with them and other things as a family. Doing things together as a family whenever possible will give your kids a stronger sense of security, and feeling safe is important.
One of the last but certainly not least important tips on improving your toddlers bedtime routine and getting your toddler to bed at a reasonable time is making sure they have a clean diaper and have used the bathroom before you put them to bed.
