Most new parents know that they probably aren’t going to be getting much sleep after bringing a baby home. But, once you’ve eventually established a routine, and your baby gets a little older, they will start sleeping through the night.
That definitely makes life easier for everyone!
Some babies go through a phase where they sleep less, and parents might have a hard time surviving sleep regression. But, that’s nothing compared to a toddler who doesn’t want to go to bed.
If you have a two, three, or four-year-old, (or even a 5-year-old!) you have undoubtedly gone through nights where it feels next to impossible to get them to go to sleep. Toddlers are busy little people! Many children stop taking naps around those ages, so by the end of the day, they can either be cranky, or fully wired and awake. George gave up his naps at 3. While he is a good sleeper and doesn’t fight going to bed most nights now that he is in school, I can remember the nights not too long ago that it would take him forever to go to sleep. Some nights still I can hear him talking in his room long after the lights have gone off. Here are a few tried and true ways to help get your older child ready for a good night’s rest.
Thankfully, you don’t have to put up a fight every night just to make sure your toddler or older child gets some rest. Just as you originally prepared for your new baby, there are things you can do to prepare your child for bed each night. With that in mind, let’s look at some creative bedtime ‘hacks’ you can use to get your toddler to sleep safely.
Develop a Nightly Routine
Again, you probably had some kind of nighttime routine in place when your child was a baby. Maybe it was more for your sake than theirs at the time. But, children at this age need routine. They need the familiarity and comfort of doing the same thing each night.
Having a “bedtime routine” can help your toddler know it’s time to wind down. Your routine can include everything from reading a book to taking a bath or even singing a song. Just make sure to do the same thing each night, so they know that it’s time to sleep and not time to play. It will get them in the right mindset to go to bed, and you’re bound to see less struggling. For us, George always eats dinner, has a shower, gets dressed for bed, brushes his teeth, and is able to pick out 2 books to read before bed. The noisemaker and night light then goes on.
Utilize Essential Oils
Essential oils aren’t just for adults, and they are a safe and natural way to soothe your little one into a peaceful slumber. Some of the best essential oils for a better night’s sleep include Lavender, Vanilla, Rose, Jasmine Sandalwood.
You can either use a diffuser to distribute the oils throughout your toddler’s room at night or give them a back rub using a few drops of the oil mixed in with a carrier, like coconut oil. You can even make a massage a part of your bathtime routine to help them calm down and get in a better mood for sleeping.
Essential oils are completely natural and won’t harm your child in any way. If you have been hesitant to give your child anything to help them sleep, organic essential oils are a great option that you can feel good about. George has always loved using essential oils at night. I keep a roller by his bed that I can easily apply to the back of his neck with lavender and Gentle Baby in it.
Cut Back on Screen Time Before Bed
We live in a world where television, computers, tablets, and phones are unavoidable. And, children are exposed to all of them at a very early age. There is nothing wrong with letting your toddler play a game on your phone or iPad, or letting them watch one of their favorite shows on television.
But, having a lot of screen time before bed can actually make it more difficult for your toddler to fall asleep. This is true for adults, too, but it can be especially hard on children. Most electronic devices, especially phones and tablets, emit something called “blue light”. It can affect the stimulation in your brain, and make it hard to “turn off” or wind down when it’s time for bed.
A good rule of thumb is to shut off those electronic devices at least two hours before you plan on putting your child to bed. They won’t have to fight off that stimulation just before going to sleep, and they can fully relax. It can also be helpful to dim the lights in your home a bit an hour or so before bed, to “trick” their minds into knowing that it’s time to settle down for the day.
Make Sure They Are Dressed for Bed
Part of your nighttime routine with your toddler should include dressing them properly for bed. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on expensive pajamas for your toddler. Instead, it’s about making sure whatever they wear is comfortable, safe, and warm.
It’s important to have separate clothes for sleeping, so your toddler associates them with going to bed. Try to avoid letting them wear play clothes to bed, as it might give them the idea that it isn’t time for sleep, it’s time for play! Dressing them properly in something they will be comfortable in throughout the night is a great way to not only get them in the right mood for bed, but it can help them to have a more restful night’s sleep.
Stick To Your Routine and Rules
If you do develop a nighttime routine, your toddler is old enough to know the steps. Talk to them about what their bedtime routine will consist of so they know what to expect. Each step of the routine you go through with them each night, they will be able to come to the realization that it’s bedtime, not playtime.
Even if your toddler continues to put up a fight about going to sleep, stick to your rules, and stick to the routine, night after night.
Will some nights be easier than others? Absolutely. After all, you know your toddler’s personality and demeanor better than anyone. Everything won’t be perfect right away. But, the best thing you can do is to be consistent with the tips listed here. Don’t give in or let your toddler break the rules just to get out of sleeping. Consistency is important, until getting your toddler to bed isn’t so much of a chore. I have been lucky that George has been a great sleeper for the most part. Establishing a good bedtime routine I know has been key to getting him on a successful night time schedule. I would love to know what your nighttime routine looks like in your home. Thanks for stopping by!
