Getting your toddler to sleep through the night can often be challenging. According to BabyCenter, sleep interruptions may be the result of health-related issues such as an ear infection or a cold. In addition, younger toddlers may awaken frequently throughout the night due to teething pain. Calming and relaxing herbs such as chamomile and passionflower may help your toddler get a good night's sleep. It is strongly recommended that you speak with your child's pediatrician before giving her herbs as a sleep aid.
Chamomile
Both species of chamomile can be used to treat insomnia, but German chamomile is the one more commonly used. Chamomile contains relaxing and calming properties and is available in the form of extracts, tinctures, teas and dried flowers. To used chamomile as an herbal sleep aid for your toddler, the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests pouring one cup of boiling water over 2 to 4 g of the dried herb. Allow the tea to stand up to 15 minutes and cool. The university states that children under the age of five should not take more than one half cup per day.
Passionflower
Passionflower is commonly used to induce sleep. This herb has properties that increase the chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, in the brain, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Though scientists are not certain how this herb works, it is believed that GABA helps calm brain cell activity causing a calming effect. Passionflower has not yet been studied on children, so it should not be used without pediatric supervision. An herbal tea may be made by adding 2 g of dried herb to one cup of hot water for 10 minutes, strained and cooled. The children's dose of passionflower is 1/3 of the adult dose.
Valerian
Valerian is an herb that is commonly used as a sleep aid and to improve the quality of sleep. Valerian may be prepared as a tea or used as an extract. As with other herbs, the University of Maryland Medical Center strongly recommends that you speak with your child's pediatrician before allowing him to take it. The university also states that study results are mixed as to the effectiveness of this herb when used as a sleep aid. To make an herbal tea using valerian, pour one cup of boiling water over 2 to 3 g of the dried herb and let it stand for 10 minutes.
Other Measures
Certain steps may be taken to help you and your toddler establish a sleeping routine. According to BabyCenter, what you choose to include in your routine is completely up to you; however, some ideas to try include bathing and putting on pajamas at the same time each night, reading a bedtime story to your toddler while she is in her bed or cuddling with her for a few minutes before bedtime.
