Many parents think that once their baby turns into a toddler that getting a good night sleep every night is in store. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is that once your baby turns into a toddler, sleep may cause more issues. Typically sleep issues with toddlers begin earlier in the day. Most toddlers hate to go to bed and therefore will do most anything to avoid it. There are some things parents can do to help their toddler sleep better at night.
What can you do to help your toddler sleep better?. While you may feel frustration with your toddler and the sleep issues, there are a few things you can do that may help your toddler go to sleep easier and stay asleep longer.
Indulge your toddler a little. It is best to indulge in a few of your toddler's requests at the beginning of bedtime. Often these requests are more legitimate than later requests. If your toddler is afraid of the dark or says there are monsters under the bed, soothe your child's worries. Talk to them a bit, maybe turn on a nightlight or spray the room with some "monster poison".
Stand your ground. Once you have said "One more time and that is it", mean it and stick to it. Be firm with your toddler. Say good night and leave the room. If your toddler follows you out of the room, just walk him or her back into the bedroom, say good night and leave without saying anything else.
Refuse the temptation of allowing your toddler to sleep with you. It is easy when you are exhausted to let your toddler sleep with you. Exhausted parents will often choose the path of least resistance but this may create even further issues. If you have already given in and brought your toddler into bed with you, don't despair - this can be fixed. It might not be easy as your toddler may cry, wail and whine but just keep putting your child into his or her bed and don't give in to his or her requests of sleeping in your bed.
Discuss your bedtime expectations. Starting earlier in the day, state your bedtime expectations. If your toddler puts off going to sleep by asking for countless requests, set the expectation that only one or two requests will be granted. If your toddler is afraid of the dark, do a thorough sweep through of your toddler's room and "get rid of" any monsters lurking around the room.
Have a set bedtime routine. Establish a bedtime routine that is soothing for your child. This could be a bath, followed by a massage with some lotion, brushing of teeth and the reading of a story book. Try to stick to this schedule as much as possible. When toddlers know what to expect, they usually put up less resistance.
Create a bedtime book. Sit down with your toddler and create his or her own bedtime book. Outline the bedtime routine, draw some stick figures and let the toddler color the pictures. Having your toddler have some say in what happens at bedtime may also help avoid bedtime issues.