Toddler are always on the go. From the moment that they get up, they are more than ready to take the day on to explore and play. So by the time that we are ready to put them down for the night, it can be difficult for them to settle down. Mostly because they don't want to miss a thing. And it's natural, but there are some things us mamas can do to ease the sleeping time routine into an easy one!
How much sleep do toddlers actually need?
It's told by all that everyone needs eight hours of sleep to function like normal humans. But that is not held true when it comes to kids. During toddlerhood, children's brains are developing rapidly - cells are restoring, brains are making new connections, and development is furthering more than ever. And this all requires getting an adequate amount of sleep. Without it, they could put on excessive weight, become irritable, and be hyperactive.
In order to combat it, it is recommended that toddlers get 11-14 hours of sleep per day. This includes the blessing of nap time. If this sounds a little much compared to what your toddler may be getting, then it may be time to make some adjustments to working towards some better sleep.
Consistency is key.
This is something that I talk about in almost every toddler post, but it's because it is something that toddlers need the most. So once you decide to address your toddler's sleep routine, try to commit to it! Doing anything but will leave them confused. You may want to hold them until they fall asleep, co-sleep, allow them to cry it out, or completely let them sleep on their own. It is completely up to you to decide what works best for you, your toddler, and your family. Just as no child is alike, no sleeping routine is alike. There is just finding what right-way fits by adjusting along the way to make sure that your whole family is well-rested.
Start and end the day at the same time.
I know how hard this aspect is, but sticking to the same routine will make it easier for your toddler to pick it up and eventually start doing on their own accord. Because toddler thrive on habit and structure. So it is up to you to start and end the day at approximately the same time. Of course an occasional late night is okay once your toddle is getting close to sleeping well, but try to refrain from deterring from the schedule as much as possible. If your toddler knows what to expect, they are more inclined to transition from play time to bedtime.
Establish a bedtime routine.
Making a routine for your toddler does not have to be an elaborate thing. Mine only really lasts about 15 - 30 minutes (mostly because my son has such a short attention span). But the most important thing to do is make it an actual routine.As soon as the clock strikes 8:30 pm, we start. We begin our routine with a nice bath time, lasting about 15 minutes to get scrubbed down and get out the jitters by a little bit of fun with toys and splashing. Next we apply some lotion or eczema cream and perform a gentle massage (I know pampered much!), put on pajamas (of his choosing - usually superhero ones), and brush his teeth and hair. Once I get him to his room, we turn on some background noise (either t.v. on very low or some nursery rhymes). We then huddle up on the floor, using some comfy chair or sit on his bed, and read some books. He loves reading time, so to keep him on track I limit bedtime reading to 2-3 books of his choosing and then end it with a night book (one that sets him up for sleeping). Afterwards, I get him a cup with milk, tuck him in, and do a little prayer with him, kiss him on the cheek, and exchange goodnights and i love yous. Then it's lights out. Of course that are occasional asks for one more kiss, but overall that's where it ends.
Individual quiet play before bedtime routine.
I'm going to take you for a walk in a toddler's shoes for a second. Imagine running on a treadmill, your heart thumping in your chest and getting your energy turned all the way up. You feel great and alert. Now, picture someone telling you to lay down and go to sleep immediately. Would you protest? Well if you answered yes, then you now know what toddlers feel like when they are told to go to bed after running around all day without any transition.
This is why I plan a little quiet time leading up to bedtime. I set him up with an activity that requires a calming feeling such as coloring, a walk, or anything to sit down with limited active play to aid in the transition to bedtime a bit easier.
Nightlight/Transitional Object
When my son hit two years old, he started exhibiting a fear of darkness. So this is when we invested in a nightlight. Because when the lights turn off, it won't be completely dark. We actually started with a light/sound machine mixture that projected images on the ceiling while also playing different tunes, but it wasn't something he enjoyed very much and also kept him up with the activity part of it. But for Christmas, he got a really cool "3-D" nightlight of a dinosaur (his favorite thing right now) from his god father that has proven to be more beneficial for his nighttime set up.
My niece had a different fear, separation anxiety. She didn't want to be away from her mom and protested a lot when it came to bed time. But to make it a little better, her mom gave her a special toy to help out. It helped provide independence and a chance to self-soothe a little better. Every night before she laid down, she showed her that the toy was physically with her and made her feel comforted by it before leaving the room. It's something that I have started with my own daughter recently as we are working on transitioning her out of our bed.
Reassurance
It's going to take a little time for both you and your child to get used to a new routine. So DO NOT give up. Always let your child know that you will be there if they need you. Provide reassurance that you are only a room away, that they are not alone in the house, and if you need them you are only a walk/cry away. Even if you do not plan on jumping to them the second they cry, just letting them know that you can hear them or are watching, it can give them a feeling of safety, security, and relaxation.
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