Having trouble keeping your toddler in bed at night? You are not alone. When making the switch from a crib to a bed, some toddlers like to explore their newfound freedom. Here are some tips on how to keep your toddler in bed at night.
Establish a Consistent Routine
Routines help your child know what is coming next and creates a sense of security. When you establish a bedtime routine for your baby or toddler, you are helping her understand what comes next … bedtime and a good night’s sleep!
You can start with a bath and pajama time. Let her have some tubby time and then help her get into her pajamas. Then move to a calming video or a bedtime story.
Verbalize to your toddler that when the video or story is over then it will be time to brush her teeth, use the potty; wash her hands and cuddle up for bedtime. When the story is over you can then let her know that now she needs to brush her teeth, use the potty, wash her hands and then cuddle up for bedtime. These verbal reminders should continue until cuddle up time.
Repetitive words and statements help reiterate what is coming next and will ensure that there are no surprises. This is in contrast to simply saying “Okay, time for bed,” to which many toddlers react with surprise or a tantrum.
Cuddle up time involves having your child climb into bed and cuddle up with her stuffed animals. It can be her giving her each of her stuffed animals a hug or you giving each of her stuffed animals a hug. Try to do it in the same order each night so she knows that when your or she hugs the last stuffed animal it is time to turn out the lights.
Allow Your Toddler a Sleep Toy
There is nothing wrong with allowing your toddler a sleep toy when she goes to bed. This could be a musical stuffed toy or a small book. Sometimes if your child is not sleepy she can still go to bed at the set time and have her sleep toy to look at or cuddle until she falls asleep.
