Getting enough sleep is very important for happiness and health in toddlers. According to Kids Health, toddlers generally need 10 to 13 hours of sleep every day. This can be all at once during the night, or broken up into nighttime sleep and a nap during the day. It takes some experimentation to find out what works best for your child, and not all toddlers require the same amount of sleep. It's important to be patient as you work to improve the sleeping habits of your toddler.
Step 1
Check out the area of your toddler's crib. Remove anything that could be dangerous, such as nearby cords from drapes or blinds, or items from bookshelves near enough that he could pull them down on himself. If your toddler still has bumpers in his crib, now is the time to remove them, as he could use the bumpers as a means to help him climb out of the crib. Also remove excess toys that could be stacked for climbing out of the crib.
Step 2
Minimize light and noise. Toddlers are more aware of their surroundings than infants and may be distracted from sleep by too much activity while settling down. Some toddlers will sleep in the dark, while others prefer a night light. Experiment to see what makes your toddler the most comfortable.
Step 3
Use a security object to help your toddler feel comfortable going to sleep, advises Sleep for Kids. This could be a blanket or a special stuffed animal, and the presence of the object should eventually signal to the child that it's time for sleep.
Step 4
Establish a routine for the time leading up to sleep. For instance, a warm bath, a snack and a story are all good activities to help your toddler wind down before bed. If possible, keep bedtime the same every night.
Tips and Warnings
- Be consistent when trying to get your child into a sleep routine. If crying and pleading to get out of the crib is successful even once, it will be more difficult to put her to bed the next time.
- If your toddler is trying to climb out of his crib, or already has, it's time to move him to a toddler bed. It might be hard at first to get him to sleep in a bed rather than his crib, but it's less dangerous than risking your toddler becoming injured during a fall climbing from his crib.
