Sleeping Routines For Your Toddler

Sleep and toddlers have never been best friends – in fact, they are more like mortal enemies. It seems there is always something to do, something to watch or something to climb on . . . there is just far too much to do and see for toddlers to like sleep! If you are having trouble with your toddler’s sleeping habits – you are not alone. Sleep problems and concerns with toddlers are very common  but with a few helpful hints you can help your toddler sleep better . . . and get in a few extra winks for yourself in the meantime.

Problem: Has Nights and Days Mixed Up

Sigh . . . the dreaded up all night and sleep all day syndrome. Unless he’s a rock star – these hours just won’t do. While many people don’t realize it, it is actually quite common for toddlers to develop weird hours. Sometimes this is chalked up to strong will and other times simply that the child has taken one too many late naps over a course of a few weeks. This problem doesn’t happen in a day and you won’t fix it in one either. The best way to fix this problem is to push bedtime back by thirty minutes every day to help your toddler develop a bedtime routine. Any more or less and it’s likely to be a harder go.

Problem: Sleeping with Mom and Dad

While some parents don’t mind their toddler being in the middle . . . others do. If your toddler is the third wheel in your bed try a gradual transition. A toddler bed right next to yours is a great place to start. Little by little, move the bed further away from yours until you are able to graduate him into his own room in his own bed.

Some toddlers have trouble moving all the way out of mom and dad’s room but you have to decide how far you are willing to go. Do you mind if your toddler stays in your room for a few more months? If not, the toddler bed may be the solution. But if you want them in their own room sooner, try getting a twin bed that you can lie with them in until they fall asleep. This helps them get used to the new room faster.

Problem: Wants to Sleep with the Lights On

This one is easy and fun to fix. There are many great products on the market today that are way cooler than the nightlights that we had as kids. From Dream Lites, soft animals that double as a projector of light, to the Twilight Turtle that casts different colored stars across the room . . . it’s more fun than EVER to be afraid of the dark!

. . that’s ok. Set boundaries and know when your toddler has set their own. The best compromise is one where you can meet in the middle happily.