Tired of your child coming out repeatedly when it’s bedtime? We’ll go over how to get toddler to stay in their bed and have a more enjoyable evening.
Toddlers need a lot of sleep. In fact, toddlers between 1 to 2 years need around 11-14 hours of sleep. And it’s important that these little ones can get as much rest as possible.
Sleeping has been linked to different health benefits. Toddlers with enough sleep are more attentive, more behave, and healthier, both physically and mentally. A lack of sleep can lead to nasty future side effects, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and depression.
Parents are very much aware of the importance of sleep. But for their kids, it’s a different story. Sleeping means the day is ending. No more running, no more playing, and no more fun.
Parents can all agree that toddlers can be a handful when putting into bed. They can act unruly, they won’t stay put in bed, and their favorite word is ‘No!’
It can be so tempting to just let your kids crash on the couch from exhaustion. But bedtime routines shouldn’t be a nightmare. There are ways on how to make toddlers sleep and stay in bed for good.
Here are some of the reasons why toddlers won’t sleep. Then we’ll give you some tips on how to remedy these issues.
Reasons Why My Toddler Won’t Sleep
Toddlers can be very unpredictable at times.
They can start crying in the middle of the night. Sometimes, they can throw a fuss about getting into their PJs. Other times, they want one more cookie or a sip of milk before sleeping.
Toddlers can really test the patience of parents. But there are often explanations behind their disobedience. Here are some of the possible reasons why toddlers don’t want to sleep.
They Might Have Separation Anxiety
Toddlers haven’t fully grasped the idea of time. So an 8-10 hours sleep at night might feel like a whole year in their mind.
Toddlers with separation anxiety will feel nervous being left alone. They will cry and throw tantrums the minute they are left alone. They may also frequently get out of bed in the middle of the night to find their parents.
They Want To Keep Playing
Toddlers love to play. It’s a source of stimulation for their constantly growing minds. So putting a stop to the fun can damper their mood.
Toddlers can throw a fit when they still want to play. Paradoxically, the more tired an infant is, the more likely they’d run around the room. Hyper toddlers can really test the tolerance of parents.
Their Bodies Refuse To Sleep
A constantly changing sleep pattern can affect a toddler’s body clock. Children will have a harder time sleeping if they don’t have a fixed sleeping pattern.
Alternatively, stimulants might also affect a child’s sleep. Chances are they can’t get some shut eyes. A surrounding full of stimulants and distractions can keep toddlers wide awake.
They’re Scared/They Have Nightmares
Finally, toddlers who are scared and/or have frequent nightmares will have a hard time sleeping. They will often wake up and call for their parent’s attention. They can also refuse to sleep because of their fears.
These are a few of the common reasons why toddlers cannot sleep. If you want a more in-depth look into these reasons, you can visit this Parents.com article right here.
How to Get Toddlers to Stay in Bed
It’s one thing to know why your toddler does not want to stay in bed. But the next step to solving this problem is to find a solution.
Different issues call for different answers. Every toddler is unique from one another and will have unique needs. However, there are some general ways on how to put your toddlers to rest.
1. Create a Fix Sleeping Schedule
A fixed sleeping schedule can help toddlers sleep better. Toddlers must sleep and wake up at the same time every day to maintain a proper body clock. Not only that, a schedule can act as a boundary between both child and parents.
Establishing a sleeping schedule will make a child more behave before sleeping. This will keep them from being playful and hyper throughout the night.
For children suffering from separation anxiety, parents can put a visiting schedule for their child. It can keep parents from getting tired and still meet a child’s needs.
Also, parents should schedule their toddlers’ feeding time to be earlier. Children should not drink or eat before their bedtime. It can interfere with the quality of their sleep.
2. Remove Any Distractions from a Toddler’s Room
Highly stimulating objects like TVs and video games are bad at calming toddlers down. Toddlers need a calm, conducive space with no noise or distraction. Turn off any disturbances, such as gadgets, 30 minutes before going to bed.
A calm environment can help ease toddlers into sleep. It can also help keep them from staying awake and becoming hyper.
Parents can do some calming activities before their toddlers sleeps. A warm bath or a bedtime story can make toddlers sleepy and tranquil.
3. Comfort Your Child After a Nightmare
Finally, toddlers will inevitably get a nightmare. You can expect them to knock on their parents’ door after having a bad dream.
It’s alright to calm a toddler down after the initial frights. Forcing them back to their room will only make them more awake and cranky.
Parents should calm their toddlers down before bringing them back to their room. They can also let their toddlers sleep and then carry them back to their bedroom. A good tip is to give some form of comfort to the kid, like a stuffed animal or toy.
Conclusion
Toddlers can be hard to put to sleep. Toddlers throwing tantrums and crying all night are a huge pain.
But toddlers have their reasons to be unruly before bed. They can either be too tired, independent, or scared. That’s why parents should find the root cause of their behaviors.
Luckily, there are ways to put a toddler to bed. Creating a calm atmosphere and giving your toddler love and patience can make a huge improvement.
Putting a toddler is a lot of hard work. But it is all worth it in the end. And for every parent dealing with: you deserve a good night’s sleep as well.
