Making your toddler sleep, whether a cat nap during the afternoon or putting them early to sleep at night time when his favorite cartoons is still on, can be a challenging task for any parent and requires some tricks and persuasion to win this battle.
For various reasons, toddlers find it difficult to sleep when it’s “sleeping time” already, which leave parents frustrated and helpless about what they can do to make sleeping time a peaceful battle.
Create a Bedtime Routine
Creating a bedtime routine such as bathing your toddler, putting on his pajamas, reading him a story, snuggling for a while and saying goodnight is an important part of it. Some experts recommend leaving a small nigh light on and keeping the bedroom door slightly open so your toddler doesn’t feel shut off from the rest of the household.
Ease the bedtime transition for your toddler
When you call it a night in the middle of your toddler’s favorite TV program, the abrupt unwanted change will surely provoke a reaction from him. So it is better to give your toddler enough time and warning before you make him sleep.
Create an environment conducive for sleeping
Minimize the number of distractions in your toddler’s room like toys and TV. Make sure that the room is dark and quiet. Create a very relaxing bedtime routine by reading your toddler a story or play a book on tape and avoid giving him large meals close to bedtime.
Meet your toddler halfway
When it’s getting out of hand and you find yourself arguing with your child about sleeping day after day, it’s time to create rules. Toddlers follow rules more consistently when they help make them. You can ask your toddler for input on the practical details like staying up late during weekends if he sleeps longer or he can stay up on special evenings if he takes a nap during that afternoon.
Don’t let bedtime get into you
Although bedtime schedules are important to train your toddler to have regular sleep routine, don’t over stress on trying to make him sleep. Once you’ve put him to bed, according to experts, your responsibility ends there. Instead of insisting on making your toddler shut his eyes, let him play while his in the room. Besides, an extra 15 minutes every now and then wouldn’t hurt.
Understanding toddler behavior is the best possible way to win any battle with your little one. Keep in mind that toddlers will always get enough sleep; it’s just a matter of negotiating and finding ways to make him sleep at the “right time”. He’ll sleep when his tired anyway.
