Our Posh Baby

Toddlers need their sleep, but all too often they won’t get it without a struggle on your part. As they start to assert their independence, bedtime becomes an issue for many toddlers. As a parent, it’s important that you help them make the transition into sleep a part of their routine. Here are some tips that should help you achieve that.

First and foremost, you need to establish a consistent bedtime and waking time.

If your toddler gets used to a specific schedule, then it will be easier for him to get to bed at night. The sooner you establish a routine, the easier it will be over the long term to get him to sleep without a fuss.

The atmosphere of bedtime should be consistent every night. Your toddler’s activities should be quiet and calm. Establish a routine that might include a snack, a story, or a low key game. Don’t change the routine if you can avoid it.

Another approach to the bedtime problem is to discuss the happenings in your toddler’s day. Stay calm and relaxed, and don’t let your toddler become excited.

Don’t lie down in bed with your toddler, waiting for him to fall asleep. This may end up causing the reverse reaction, stimulating your toddler to remain wakeful and demand more games and stories.

If separation is an issue with your toddler, you’re better off telling him that you have some things to do and you’ll be back soon to make sure he’s OK. Your child will soon learn to fall asleep without your presence.

The bedtime routine is likely to get easier as your toddler gets older, particularly if a regular bedtime has been established and enforced. Repetition and consistency are important facets of toddler development that help your child learn acceptable routines and behaviors. Who knows, he might even start to look forward to bedtime as a special time when he can spend quality time with mom or dad.

However, if your child has ongoing sleep issues, it’s a good idea to consult your pediatrician to see if there are any medical reasons for the problem.

As your toddler approaches childhood, he or she will learn some basic rules of social behavior, and start to make huge developmental strides, both physically and mentally. Get some helpful advice on raising toddlers at The Toddler Website.

At Our Posh Baby’s house we found that quiet music and calmness prior to going to bed, followed by a quiet bedtime story after getting into bed worked great with our little posh toddler. Please also read about Baby and Sleep Problems.

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