Sleep and toddlers: How to create soothing bedtime routines

 

 

Every human being needs to sleep (at least 6 hours daily). Sleeping is extremely important for the children (by the age of two i.e.), as it has a direct impact on their mental and physical development. However, for the toddlers and preschoolers, bedtime routine might often be the most challenging part of the day. Here are some useful tips for making a child’s bedtime routine smooth without tears and tantrums:

 

1. Prepare a calm, soothing, and consistent bedtime routine preparations in her room, not all over the house. Set up a cozy bed including stories, songs, or games (with supportive toys) that soothe, not stimulate. Try to avoid wild, fast-moving games and scary stories. Let the child choose transitional objects like a blanket or stuffed animal — it will provide comfort and help reassure her when she’s alone.
2. Prepare for sleep an hour before bedtime. By the time child may enjoy extra time for cuddling & snuggling as well as relaxed enough before drifting off to sleep.
3. Bedtime rituals (rather a goodnight rituals!!) are always very useful. Decide over a few funny goodnight rituals – stick to the schedule, your kid understands that it’s time to go for bed. Many toddlers enjoy saying goodnight to relatives, favorite toys, and other objects.
4. Before brushing teeth and changing clothes (getting into nightclothes) or even a trip to the potty, you can give your toddler a warm cup of milk. Something warm filled up the last space in the tummy might make your little easily sleepy.
5. Singing traditional baby songs (which are soothing), playing a CD of classical music, kids' favorite melody, etc.  while you settle your toddler to sleep – and then leaving it on after you leave – can help ease his transition from being awake to falling asleep.
6. Some of kids need to be “parented”(emotional need i.e.) more to sleep, not just put to sleep. Try rocking her putting her on the lap or lying down with her, establish, and follow a regular bedtime ritual.
7. Many children get upset and find embarrassing when they wake at night in a dark room seeing nothing around her. Before leaving her lying on the bed, turn the lights off and, if you like, switch on a night light, shedding a little light on things can help tremendously.

Some infants are “self-soothers” which means they fall asleep independently at bedtime and put themselves back to sleep at night. But many (mainly below the age of 5-6 years) need parental assistance at bedtime, cry for parents to help them return to sleep. In case of serious consequences like the newborn is consistently fussy, the child has breathing problems, unusual nighttime awakening, facing difficulties in falling asleep, etc. parents are suggested to consult any child specialist