Getting a toddler to sleep can sometimes be frustrating, stressful and it might seem like a marathon, with the detours, delays and even the occasional dramatic protest and throw fits. If you’ve been wondering how to get toddler to sleep without such endless banters and battles, consider this, you’re not the only one. Sleep issues during the toddler years are quite normal, but with the right strategy, you can design a quiet bedtime that works well for you and your child.
While nursing pillows are most commonly associated with the newborn phase, many of the top rated nursing pillows can still play an important function in comforting your toddler, from being a plus at snuggly bedtime times to being a comfort item that your child has learned to connect with relaxing.
Let’s find out more about how to get toddler to sleep, what might be waking them up, what is a normal toddler bedtime habit, and how to coax them into a good night’s sleep.
Understanding Toddler Sleep Needs and Common Challenges
Between the ages 1 and 3, toddlers require about 11 – 14 hours of sleep within a 24 hour span, which typically consists of a nap during the day. But actually having them want to sleep is another thing.
Some of the common sleeping issues when putting your toddler to bed include:
– Separation Anxiety: Toddlers usually resist being separated from their parents particularly at night.
– Greater Independence: During this stage toddlers are into testing limits and they desire greater control of going to sleep.
– Routine Disruptions: Illnesses, vacationing, or even simply transitioning to a new bed can all interfere with their routine.
– Curious and excited: The toddler’s world is now more interesting, and they believe bedtime takes away from experiencing new thrilling things.
Understand that a resistant toddler at bedtime is normal, and they do not last forever. Having this in mind may enable you to react more patiently and less frustratedly.
How Much Daytime Napping Is Too Much?
Having longer naps and late time naps can push bedtime to a much later time of day, or your toddler may not feel tired enough to settle down.
Here’s a general guide to help you up:
From Ages 1 – 2: One nap, it can be from 1 – 3 hours long, which should at least end no later than 3 pm.
From Ages 2 – 3: Nap length often get shorter, and some toddlers drop the nap altogether
If you’re still wondering how to get toddler to sleep easier at night, you could start with observing their nap schedules throughout the day. What you could do is shorten the nap, move it earlier, or transition away from daily naps gradually.
Pro tip: Use top rated nursing pillow during nap wind-downs for comfort if your toddler enjoys quiet cuddle time before sleeping.
Managing Screen Time, Sugar, and Stimulation Before Bed
There are 3 major sleep disruptors for toddlers, these are screens, sugar and late-day excitement. Learning about this can help you manage them easier and transition to activities that helps toddlers wind down.
– Screens of your phones, TVs, and tablets emit blue light that delays the melatonin production, making it harder for toddlers to fall asleep. What you could do is try a “no screens one hour before bed” rule.
– Sugars and sweets like chocolate contains caffeine that keeps a toddler awake, avoid sweet treats especially when it’s nearing bedtime
– Stimulation such as rough play, or loud noises can get toddlers’ energy levels too high for bedtime which can cause them not to want to rest.
To change things up, you can transition into calming activities such as:
– Reading some bedtime stories
– Listening to gentle music
– Doing simple puzzles or coloring
Addressing Fears, Separation Anxiety, and Stalling Tactics
Toddlers have a more active imagination at this stage, it’s not unusual that they would suddenly fear the dark, monsters, or being alone in their room. Separation anxiety could peak again at the age of 2 which leads to frequent night wakings or bedtime resistance.
How you could help:
– You can offer a consistent comfort object which could be a stuffed animal or blanket
– Use a nightlight for reassurance
– Stay in their room briefly until they’re calm, then gradually leave earlier each night.
Toddler stage is the negotiation stage and here are these stalling tactics that they would likely use to stay awake and play: “One more story”, “One more hug” or ” I need to go potty”. While it’s important to tend to their needs and listen, you should set clear limits to help them know what to expect. You can approach it like “We’ll read two books then bedtime. If you need water or go potty we can do it now.”
The Role of Sleep Associations and Self-Soothing
The things that your toddler links with falling asleep are called sleep associations, these can be in the form of swaying, nursing, or having a parent in the room. If they associate you with sleep and only sleeps with you in the room, they may struggle to go back to sleep alone when they wake at night.
In helping your child learn self-soothing, you can avoid having them walk through your door fully awake and crying or having a hard time getting back to sleep. You can try
– Introducing them to a calming routine, it could be hugging a pillow, or stroking a blanket
– Provide a consistent bedtime routine, like reading a story then turning off the lights
– Gradually minimize your involvement in helping them fall asleep, start with small steps like staying briefly before leaving them in the room.
This slow and steady shift encourages independence while still giving them reassurance and the feeling of security.
Conclusion
Toddlers are naturally curious and full of energy, so bed time won’t always go easy or the way we expect them. Figuring this phase out is balancing between boundaries and providing reassurance.
We can always start with understanding their sleep needs, managing their daytime habits, creating a calming environment for them, addressing their fears, and fostering self-soothing skills, with this you can turn bedtime battle to peaceful calming nights.
And don’t forget, items such as top rated nursing pillows can still find use past the baby phase. With consistency, patience, and a dash of creativity, you can steer your toddler toward a restful sleep and recover your peaceful evenings in the process.
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