How to Get Kids to Go to Bed Without a Fight

Newborns sleep voluntarily. There's not much else they'd rather do. Infants also lay down well. Feed them and they'll fall right asleep like a charm. Toddlers on the other hand are at the perfect age to begin resisting sleep in any way, shape, or form. The toddler years begin at the second birthday and end at the fourth. Once that fourth birthday comes you have a little big kid, a preschooler. Two year olds and three year olds can be rebellious when it comes to bedtime.

Toddlers are generally in toddler beds, or at least should be. Some are even in twin or bunk beds. Toddlers are just learning to sleep in a bed that they can freely get off of. This combined with resisting sleep can make getting your toddler to lay down and go to sleep well difficult.

There are several things that parents can do to help their little ones lay down peacefully at night. The first thing is to eliminate naptimes during the day. If your toddler has been taking daily naps and then is quite resistant at bedtime then the best thing you can do to get them to go to bed easily is to eliminate that nap. If a toddler still seems wide awake at bedtime and has had a nap that day the reason they are so wide awake is because of that nap. Take the naps away for sleepy toddlers at bedtime. They may be a little cranky towards dinner time but it's worth it when they fall asleep within minutes after being laid down and covered up only once.

Baths also help to relax toddlers when given before bedtime. Make sure to wait until after dinner. Give your toddler a nice warm bath when bedtime is about a half an hour away. The warm water is soothing and calming. At the end of the day a little calmness and soothing can help to take your toddler from high gear down to low gear. They'll be much more likely to lay down and fall asleep without a problem.

Reading a bedtime story can also help to calm a child before bed. Kids seem to go, go, go and the chance to sit and listen to a story gives them the opportunity to stop and settle down. Toddlers still in play mode will not go to sleep easily. A quiet reading time will switch them to low gear. The sitting still makes toddlers sleepy, especially at the end of the day. Reading in a quiet, gentle voice to sooth your toddler even further. Bedtime will be a breeze.

Establishing a bedtime routine is another great way to make bedtime go well every night. Start your routine with that before bedtime bath. Next read a story and then brush teeth. Cover your toddler up with kisses and hugs. Make sure they have their favorite stuffed animals close and that the blankets and pillows are just right. Shut off the lights and keep the noise level of your home down. Your toddler will fall asleep quickly and hassle free every night! Take care and thanks for readingJ