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Whether you’ve been on the road before or you’re new to bedtime, there can be a lot of battles that happen when it’s time to go to bed. Separation anxiety, social issues, or a desire for independence, may be the reason.
Dealing with this when little children sleep it is not easy, especially if it happens often. As a sleep consultant, I have experienced many problems with sleep including infants and young children. Some issues are easier to deal with than others.
If you are going through this right now, I hear you! I know it’s not easy. That’s why I’ve created a little tutorial on how to deal with bedtime battles. Read on for some helpful tips that can help make bedtime a little more difficult.
Fighting Toddlers’ Bedtime Wars 101
Set a Bedtime
Toddlers are creatures of habit. Establishing a bedtime routine helps them know when bedtime is approaching and gives them time to rest and prepare for sleep.
Make sure the routine is relaxing. This could include a bath, a story, or listening to quiet music, anything that will occupy your little one for a while and signal that it’s time for bed.
Make sure that the routine does not exceed 30 minutes. You don’t want the routine to turn into an endless party with your little one without realizing that the end goal is sleep, and more. Sitting down for 30 minutes should be enough time to get the job done.
Create a sleep schedule. Young children are visual people. Use the pictures to make a chart showing them what bedtime will include. This not only clarifies everything, but also makes bedtime a little more cohesive. They can even watch events every night. This also gives them a sense of accomplishment. You can be creative and add stickers or anything else you want to make it fun.
Take care of all the important things before going to bed
“I’m thirsty”. “I’m hungry”. This is a common war cry in the sleepy streets. Make sure you take care of all the essentials before going to bed. Make sure they eat and drink enough, not too close to bedtime because you want to prevent them from getting up in the middle of the night to use the potty. This can cause various problems. So, make sure they go to the bathroom again before going to bed.
When it comes to what they are eating and drinking, you generally want to avoid any sugary foods near bedtime because they just make you feel sick. They can make your child feel great, and make sleep the last thing on their mind.
Be Firm and Set Boundaries
If you’re all about bedtime and all that goes with it, you can’t expect your toddler to take you seriously. They will fight you with everything they have in them because they know they will win in the end.
Be clear about your expectations. Set a good bedtime so they know it’s time to go to bed. Tell them what the game is, whether it’s bathing, brushing teeth, a story, or something else. This way, they know what to expect and what to do.
Don’t give up. When your baby cries, and he will, don’t collapse when it’s time to sleep. Stand strong no matter how hard it gets. All you have to do is tear it once and your child will know what to do to get his way.
Create a Better Living Space
Some children may say that the room is too hot or too cold, or that it is too dark. By making sure they have the best possible place to sleep, you can try to prevent this from happening.
Make yourself at home. You can make their bed even more comfortable by letting them choose their own pillow and blanket. You can also ask them what pajamas they want to wear instead of choosing them. This not only makes bedtime more comfortable but also allows them to make other decisions so they feel like they are part of the process rather than just being told what to do. Sometimes the little things make a big difference. Also, check the thermostat to make sure the room temperature is right.
Use a night lightt. If your child is afraid of the dark, use a night light. This is another opportunity they can consider by letting them choose one with the features they like. This will not only serve the purpose but can provide extra comfort knowing that their loved ones are there.
Avoid electronics before bed. Many young children are on tablets and iPads all day. This is a big no-no at night. The blue light these devices emit can interfere with melatonin production, which can disrupt sleep. You don’t need anything else to keep your baby from falling asleep! Turn off the electronics before bed, you’ll thank me later.
Talk about a Sleeping Fear
If your child tells you that they are afraid to sleep for any reason, talk about it. Once you sweep it under the rug, your child’s bedtime battles will never end. Reassure them that there is nothing to be afraid of and that everyone should sleep to get energy for the next day. Show them that there are no monsters in the room or under the bed and give them the green light to sleep.
Be Patient (I Know It’s Hard!)
Dealing with bedtime isn’t easy, but if your child notices that you’re upset, they’ll get over that upset.
Be patient and take breaks when you need them. As difficult as it may be, be patient with your toddler when they are fussing at bedtime, even if it’s all the time. Leave the room if you have to so you can gather your thoughts and not throw yourself out.
Don’t give up! This won’t last forever. But, if you feel like you’ve tried everything and still haven’t won the good fight, it may be time to talk to a sleep therapist.
As a pediatric sleep consultant, I have helped many families deal with all kinds of sleep disorders when little children sleep. I can assess your situation and provide valuable advice and tips on how to overcome sleep disturbances. If you want, you can see mine sleep consultant jobs here.