Members' Tips: Toddlers &
Sleep
 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?
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 TWoodford
'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
Have you got a better suggestion?
'Please let us know!
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