Making Bedtime Easier for Toddlers

Toddlers are notorious for wanting to be independent and make their own decisions and bedtime is no exception. At this age, they are just figuring out that they can prolong the process by asking for another kiss or a glass of water. Not to mention the massive tantrums that erupt if you attempt to force them into the bed before they want to go! In any given child help TV show such as Nanny 911, one of the first habits tackled is bedtime.

Kids need a good night sleep in order to deal with every day life. A toddler who is overtired will react badly to minor situations and will tend to have more tantrums and be less likely to learn than a child who has had a full night's sleep. While some little ones will make up for a poor night's sleep with a nap or two during the day, it is best for them to start the day off on the right foot.

The first thing that needs to be in place is a good bedtime routine. Kids thrive on routine and even if you tend not to have any rhyme or reason to the day, bedtime is one area that should definitely be fairly structured. This allows children to wind down from the day's events and gets them ready for the idea of going to bed. A bedtime routine won't work instantly, but with consistent use, it will become easier to get your toddler into his bed.

Although your bedtime routine can consist of anything that calms your child down, many parents find that certain steps are helpful. A bath in the evening can be a good way to not only get rid of grime collected over the day, but to calm things down. The warm water helps relax your child and he will be more likely to sleep well afterwards.

Reading a story together or playing a quiet game is another good addition to the night routine. Avoid roughhousing or running around at this point, since it will only get your little one hyper and make it harder for him to settle down and sleep. Have a time limit or a story limit to this section of the night, or you could be up until midnight reading endless Dr. Seuss books!

Picking up your toddler's room before dinner is a good way to ensure that he has a tidy place to go to sleep at night. Putting him down in a cluttered room or one where the bed is covered in toys and books is only going to distract him. With everything neatly put away and the bed nice and clean, your toddler can relax without distractions.

Some parents find that a bedtime snack (with a good tooth brushing afterwards) is helpful in preventing hunger complaints later in the night. Choose something healthy such as fruit or crackers with cheese. A glass of warm milk is also helpful if your little one likes this sort of thing, but stay away from energy producing sweets such as soft drinks and cookies which can cause hyperactivity before bed.

Consistency is another very important factor in bedtime. If you sometimes leave your toddler to cry, but other times give in and let him get up, he won't learn that bedtime is a regular thing. He will always cry. The best thing to do is decide what method you want to use and stick with it, no matter what. After a period of time, your youngster will learn that bedtime is non-negotiable and will not put up a fight.

By following the advice given in this article, you should be able to make bedtime a more reasonable event in your home. Stay consistent, make sure you give your toddler plenty of time to wind down before bed and don't make it a stressful event. And remember that someday soon, he will go to bed without complaint!