How to Establish a Bedtime Routine with Your Toddler

Happy toddlers and happy moms are the productions of a sound and healthy sleep. Hence, as a parental disciplinary act, it is essential to routinize our toddler’s bedtime schedule. If you haven’t done that yet, this could probably be the right time to start improving your baby’s sleeping habits.

When Is the Right Bedtime?

Before forcing your toddler to sleep, you need to signify the most applicable time in which she feels fatigued.

• If 7:00 p.m is too much to ask and 9:00 p.m. is too late, between 8:00 and 8:30 p.m. will be the right time to expect her to fall asleep.
• If you feel that it takes her 30 to 60 min to fall asleep, know that she isn’t tired for bed. On the other hand, if she wakes up looking tired in the morning, this means her bedtime is too late.
• If you wish to determine the correct bedtime for your toddler, moving 15 minutes every two to three days can be helpful.

Read more: “What I Wish I Had Known Before Bringing Baby Home”

How Do I Set Up a Bedtime Routine for My Toddler?

The first thing you need to know is to be #consistent with a routine that is not meant to be changed. Healthline Parenthood believes that a routine is unique to every family and differs between every child. For instance, if a bath boosts the energy of your toddler, do not bathe her before bed.

Below is a sample routine that most parents follow to put their toddlers to sleep.

1. Make the right transition. Transfer your toddler away from the state of activity by shuffling away from toys that boost her energy. Then, give her a healthy snack before her bath.
2. Give your toddler a warm bath, for warm baths are great for soothing a baby.
3. Read a bedtime story or sing lullabies. You can also induce white noise by humming or using white noise machines.
4. Dim the lights. Consequently, your toddler will distinguish day from night.
5. Cool the room. Set the temperature at 23 degrees celsius.
6. Leave the room and shut the door. Try not to answer your toddler’s calls except when necessary (That’s for sure!).

Check out a variety of bedtime accessories from Petit Mignon.

What Am I Doing Wrong?

If you feel that there is miscommunication with your toddler, it is possible that you are mistaking when trying to routinize her sleep. Therefore, Keep in mind the following.

• Do not miss the whole point of a routine. As mentioned above, be consistent and settle on a specific time with your toddler for bathing, eating, and sleeping.
• Do not play with your toddler or look her in the eye when changing her at night. No matter how much you feel like kissing her chubby cheeks, bedtime is bedtime!
• Set the routine according to your toddler’s schedule and not yours. Time for outings should be sacrificed until your baby sets on a healthy sleeping habit.
• Do not assume that your toddler will outgrow her poor sleeping habits. If you do not work on a healthy sleeping routine with your toddler, SHE NEVER WILL.

Settling on a sleeping routine could be one of the toughest jobs; yet, it is one of the most important for your toddler’s development. Be consistent, stick to a routine, and help your toddler sleep soundly, for we all believe in Leo J. Burke’s saying, “People who say they sleep like a baby usually don’t have one.”

Concerned about your child’s behavior? Read “10 Steps that Help You Teach Your Child Good Behavior”.

References:

https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/toddler/toddler-bedtime-routine

https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/toddler-bedtime-routine#Common-mistakes-when-starting-a-toddler-bedtime-routine

https://www.verywellfamily.com/kids-and-bedtime-routines-2634260