How To Get Your Toddler To Sleep

If you’re a parent, then you know how hard it is to get your toddler to sleep at night.

I remember when my daughter was little, and she would wake up every hour or so during the night.

We had no idea how to get her back to sleep at first! How do you stop your toddler from waking up at night?

There are many ways to help your child fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

If you’re struggling to get your little one to sleep through the night, you’re not alone.

Around half of the parents report having trouble falling or staying asleep themselves.

There are many things you can try to help your toddler sleep better.

Some involve changing their bedtime routines, while others focus on helping them relax before bed.

In this article, we are going to discuss multiple different ways that may help your toddler get to sleep.

Create A Routine For Bedtime

A routine for bedtime is important for several reasons.

It helps your toddler learn when it’s time to go to bed, which allows them to develop a sense of independence.

It also gives them something to look forward to each day, as well as an opportunity to wind down before they go to sleep.

It’s essential to create a consistent bedtime routine with your toddler so that they know what to expect.

Here are some tips to help you create a bedtime routine:

• Make sure that your toddler has enough time to complete all of their activities before bedtime. This will give them plenty of time to unwind and prepare for bed.
• Keep your toddler busy during the evening by playing games or reading books together. You could even play music to help them calm down.
• Avoid using screens such as tablets, smartphones, or computers right before bedtime. These devices emit blue light, which suppresses melatonin production in the brain. As a result, children who use these devices have difficulty getting to sleep.

Help Them Relax Before Bedtime

It’s important to teach your toddler how to relax.

If they don’t know how to relax, then they won’t be able to fall asleep easily and this could be the reason they wake up several times throughout the night.

Here are some great ways to help your toddler relax before bedtime:

• Play relaxing music. Music has been proven to help people relax and fall asleep. Try listening to soft instrumental music like classical pieces or jazz.
• Read a book. Reading is another way to help toddlers relax. They love being read to, and it’s a fun activity that encourages bonding between parent and child.
• Give your toddler a warm bath. Warm baths are soothing and calming. The heat helps reduce anxiety levels and promotes relaxation.

Create A Cozy Environment For Your Toddler To Sleep In

Creating a cozy environment for your toddler to sleep in is essential if you want him to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep long-term.

A cozy space helps your toddler to feel safe and relaxed.

Here are some ideas to help you create a cozy sleeping environment for your toddler:

• Have a comfortable mattress. Choose a firm but a supportive mattress that fits snugly against your child’s body.
• Provide a comfy pillow. Use a small, fluffy pillow instead of a hard one. Soft pillows provide comfort and support for your toddler’s head.
• Set a dimmer light. Dim lights make it easier for your toddler to fall asleep.

Turn Off All Electronics And Screens An Hour Or So Before Bedtime

Electronics such as TVs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones can interfere with your toddler’s ability to fall asleep.

Blue light emitted from electronic devices suppresses melatonin production.

This means that your toddler may not be able to fall asleep until a lot later at night.

You must limit your toddler’s exposure to electronics just before bedtime so that he can get to sleep earlier.

Consider Breaking Old Habits

If your toddler wakes up multiple times during the night, there may be an old habit keeping him awake.

Breaking these habits will allow your toddler to fall asleep more easily, and get a better night's sleep.

Some ways that you can break your toddler's habits include:

• Limit screen time. Don't let your toddler watch TV right before bedtime. Instead, encourage them to play outside or do something active.
• Keep a regular schedule. Make sure that your toddler goes to bed at the same time every day.

Let Off Some Steam Before Bedtime

If you find that your toddler struggles to sleep because they simply have too much energy, then try letting them blow off some steam.

You can do this by playing games together, reading books, singing songs, dancing, or doing other activities that release their pent-up energy.

Using up this energy will help your child to feel more tired and thus will be more likely to fall asleep and stay asleep the whole night through.

Don't Give Up Naps

It is normal for children to wake up several times during the night.

However, if your toddler wakes up repeatedly throughout the night, don’t give up on napping.

Giving up on napping will leave your child more restless and less likely to want to sleep later.

Try giving your toddler a short nap during the afternoon if they need it.

Conclusion

Getting your toddler to sleep well takes patience and persistence.

There are many things you can do to help your toddler to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

The tips above should help you to achieve both of those goals.

The best way to ensure that your toddler sleeps well is to follow these simple steps.

These steps will help you to avoid common mistakes that parents often make when trying to get their toddlers to sleep.

Remember, though, that toddlers are still growing and developing, which means that they will continue to learn as they are growing.