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Members' Tips: Period Pain & PMT

Toddlers have all sorts of things to be getting on with and sleep is often the last thing on their minds. How do you convince your child that they need rest with their play?

Establishing the foundations of communication now eill be a big help in years to come. Remember it's a gradual process!

As they near their 5th birthday, your child will be able to explain some of their thoughts to you, and begin learning how to solve their own (very minor) problems. But in the beginning, a toddler craves security above all else.

Getting settled

'My daughter is 14 months and I have found that she will wake, then left to cry for a short while with no response from me, she will go back to sleep. I have always checked in the first instance that there is nothing wrong and, following that, I leave her to have a little cry. If possible, don't pick her up and console her as it's disturbing her habit a bit more. A little screaming in the short run won't hurt her and it will ensure a good sleep pattern in the long run.'

Thanks to Raisingkids' Member TWoodford

Getting into a routine

'Try to fill your child's day so she is really tired when she goes to bed. Try the quiet time routine, bath, story and settling her down to sleep; and then leave her to it. Only going back to her if you have to. If she is playing in her room or bed/cot and not distressed just let her get on with it as well - the light nights play havoc with some children. The alternative is to just leave her up to play her self tired but that may not be what you are happy with as it is your time when she goes to bed and I can understand that.'

Thanks to Raisingkids' Member pollylolly

You will find that if you cut out her daytime nap and start a regular sleep routine she will sleep easier at night. Too much sleep can actually be bad for you as well, hence the panda eyes she is developing.'

Thanks to Raisingkids' Member pollylolly

'Maybe it would be better to let your daughter stay up a little later and then she may sleep better. With the lighter evenings try taking her to the park or out for a walk after tea. This should tire her out a little more. Try a glass of warm milk or hot chocolate before she goes to bed, maybe a warm bath. My youngest went through a phase of not going to sleep for ages so I would do all this and then go and sit in her room with her and read her a story. Some nights this was not enough and then I would take advantage of the quiet time - sit by her bed and read my book, telling her to go to sleep every so often and she would drift off and slept better than she had been doing. Good luck.''

Thanks to Raisingkids' Member pollylolly