According to KidsHealth.org, toddlers generally requite about 10 to 13 hours of sleep a night. But getting your toddler to go to sleep can be a daunting task---few will climb into bed without complaint. Her developing brain and muscles are eager to continue exploring, even at bedtime. However, establishing a proper bedtime is essential for your baby's health---and your sanity.
Step 1
Follow a consistent bedtime routine. By the time your baby is a toddler, he may test this routine. Decide how many extra stories you are willing to read, toys you are willing to retrieve or additional drinks of water you will allow. Consider leaving his room quietly instead of acknowledging his pleas.
Step 2
Return to your child's room every few minutes if she cries at bedtime. FamilyEducation.com explains that this will help assure her that you are still there.
Step 3
Look for an environmental reason why your toddler is not falling asleep. Check for too much noise coming from adjacent rooms. Or, if your child keeps kicking off his covers, dress him in heavier pajamas to keep him warm at night.
Step 4
Shift your baby's bedtime gradually. Babycenter.com recommends working in 15-minute increments. If bedtime is usually 8:30, aim for 8:15. Once that bedtime is established, gradually work backward until the desired bedtime is reached.
Step 5
Adjust your child's entire schedule as needed. If you want your baby to go to bed 30 minutes earlier, be sure all activities, such as dinner and bath time, are also 30 minutes earlier.
Tips and Warnings
- FamilyEducation.com discourages maintaining complete silence once your baby has gone to sleep. This can actually make your toddler hypersensitive to sound, making it more difficult to fall asleep. In fact, light noise, such as a parent walking around, can comfort a child. If she knows that you are nearby, she may be able to drift off easier.
- If your child does not get adequate rest, KidsHealth.org warns that he may experience traumatic disturbances such as night terrors. Night terrors can cause a child to suddenly sit up, scream and thrash. Besides lack of sleep, episodes can be triggered by stress, illness or a new environment. Although there is no treatment, you can try to prevent night terrors by sticking to your relaxing bedtime routine, reducing stress and not allowing your child to stay up late.
