Getting Your Toddler to Sleep!

It wasn't that long ago that I was battling the bedtime nightmares of trying to get my kids to sleep through the night. This was honestly one of the hardest things I've had to deal with since becoming a mom. Just to illustrate my point, the night before my second child was born (I was nine months pregnant and huge), I was sleeping on the floor next to my 2.5-year old who refused to go to sleep on her own. It was so uncomfortable and yet it was better than the alternative -- a screaming child at 2:00 AM. After my second was born, I hit the sleep-deprived rock bottom and knew I had to make serious changes. Here's a few things that ended up working for me:

1. I went back to a strict bedtime routine and started it a bit earlier (two kids took more time). Right after dinner, we started bath time. Then nighttime lotion (I like Johnson & Johnson's Bedtime lotion with the purple cap) and jammies. A few books and then bedtime. I let them have a sippy cup of milk or water before bed as potty training wasn't my focus yet.

2. I bought really cute night lights and for my baby, I bought a green light (or black light) for her lamp that gave some light, but not a lot. She is now four-years old and she still loves her green light and has it on while she falls asleep (I turn it off after she falls asleep). I also keep a light on in the hall way, so they are not so scared.

3. Here's the BIG one: It's not what time they go to bed, but what time they wake up!!! Get an alarm clock for your kids. I bought the Rescue Pets alarm clock that's a stuffed animal and barks like a dog. My girls still love it! No matter what time your child goes to sleep at night, they have to wake up at the same time: 8:00 AM, etc. Nap time is NEVER to extend past 4:00 PM. A toddler needs at least five hours to become tired again. If they wake up at 5:00 PM, forget an 8:00 bedtime. Don't be afraid to wake them up. It will take just a few days and they'll be on a new schedule.

4. I didn't try to do everything at one time. I gave in on one thing: the sippy cup. I allowed my child to have a sippy cup if they woke up in the middle of the night to sooth them back to sleep. Sometimes I left a sippy cup of water in a place where they could reach it on their own. It wasn't very long and they didn't need the sippy cup anymore. (Make sure your kids are old enough not to choke on the water.)

5. I really tried to listen to my girls, even now, to find out what their issues are. As your kids grow, don't forget to just talk with them. Ask them why they "only want mommy" or why they are so scared. My daughter, like most kids, feared the dark. I spent lots of time talking about how cool nighttime and darkness was. That's when the stars come out and the moon shines and owls hoot, etc. She's not really scared of the night anymore. Understand that kids have real issues and fears. Don't cover those up, but work through them.

6. Understand that it will take a few nights of hell to get through all your changes, but then relief will come. You may experience a week or two of everything going well and then it might get tough again for a few days. Your child will give in for a little bit, but then test you again. Know that will happen and don't get discouraged when it does.

7. Don't try to fight it. This is completely normal and most moms go through what you are going through. Keep your cool and know YOU CAN DO IT. You are the mom here and you are doing what is best. Everyone needs their sleep. When you feel moments of weakness, just take a deep breath and remember your goals. Your child will still love you in the morning. And within a few days, you will begin to gain confidence in all of this.

• share tip
• 
• 0 comments
• 
• who approved it?
• 
• Q&A
• 
• more tips like this