As your toddler lays awake in his own bed, his imagination runs wild. Monsters may be in the closet, under the bed and behind the curtains, upon which an eerie shadow is cast from a nearby nightlight. Separation anxiety from a primary caretaker can easily be exacerbated by coddling your toddler too much. Getting your child to sleep independently can be a challenge, but Mayo Clinic experts and the American Academy of Pediatrics stress setting bedtime rules and sticking to them.
Step 1
Establish a bedtime routine, advises the AAP. A warm bath, listening to music together or reading your toddler a story signal to her that sleepy-time is soon approaching. Be mindful of what you expose your toddler to, cautions Kidshealth.org, as this is the stage of life when your child has vivid dreams and nightmares. Keep bedtime stories, music and videos content-appropriate.
Step 2
Let your toddler take a toy or favorite blanket to bed to comfort him as he falls asleep and when he wakes during the night. Although you must keep a newborn's crib clear of clutter, the AAP indicates that as long as toys are safe and aren't a choking hazard (are free of streamers, ribbons or buttons), it's fine to allow Mr. Bear to share your toddler's sleeping space.
Step 3
Make sure your toddler's sleeping environment is comfortable. Is his room a place where you could fall asleep and stay asleep? Make sure that noise from other rooms doesn't filter in. Check out the atmosphere: Would your child feel safer sleeping with a night-light on? Keep the door slightly ajar so he feels more secure, advises Kidshealth.org.
Step 4
Don't rush to your toddler's side the first time she cries out. The AAP advises waiting several seconds before you reply, subsequently increasing the time after which you respond to give her an opportunity to get to sleep. If you must go into your child's room, don't turn on the light and stay only briefly. Each time you enter, position yourself a little bit further away from your toddler's bed, using only verbal reassurances.
Step 5
Don't take your toddler to bed with you, cautions Mayo Clinic experts and the AAP. "Co-sleeping" is a sure way to discourage independent sleeping habits. An April 2008 "Time" report states that co-sleeping and other "maladaptive" parenting habits (such as staying in the child's room until he nods off) resulted in preschool-aged children with sleep disorders, including nightmares and shorter overall sleeping time at night. If your toddler gets out of bed and follows you into your own room, return him to his bed promptly.
Tips and Warnings
- Toddlers 1 and 2 years of age will more than likely be sleeping in a roomy crib, says Kidshealth.org, but if your child actively tries to climb out of his sleeping quarters, it may be time to introduce him to his own bed. Your child may fuss about going to bed if the rest of the household is buzzing with noise and activity. Mayo Clinic experts advise limiting your entire family to quiet, sedate activities, such as reading and doing puzzles. Put the video games away and turn off the television at your toddler's bedtime.
- According to "Time," most older infants don't wake up because they're hungry or thirsty, so giving your toddler food or drink might not be the appropriate response. A study cited in "Time" indicates that children who were fed in the middle of the night at age 3 were more likely to have nightmares and shorter sleeping times by age 4.
Things You'll Need
- Bedtime storybooks, music or videos
- Comfort object, such as a soft stuffed toy or special blanket
- Night-light (optional)
