How to Speed Up Toddler Bedtimes
Are you finding that bedtime with your toddler is becoming a nightly battle?
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!
Bedtime battles are a big part of being a toddler! In this blog post, I am going to share some of my favorite strategies to speed up your toddler’s bedtime and avoid those tricky bedtime battles!
Establish a bedtime routine: toddlers thrive on routine, so having a consistent bedtime routine can help signal to your toddler that it's time to go to sleep. Whatever your routine is, be consistent! One strategy that toddlers LOVE (and also help parents stay consistent) is a visual schedule! A visual schedule communicates the sequence of upcoming events through the use of pictures. Make your bedtime routine into a visual schedule and have your toddler lead the routine!
Sleep environment: toddlers aren’t too different than newborns when it comes to sleep environment! Keep the room dark, cool, and use a white noise machine!
Limit screen time before bed: Studies have shown that screen time before bed can interfere with a child's ability to fall asleep. I always suggest starting with limiting your child’s screen time at least 1 hour before bedtime
Be consistent! Having a consistent response on your boundaries is so important! If your toddler is trying to stall bedtime by asking for one more trip to the bathroom or one more drink of water, set your boundaries and stick to them. I suggest adding every one of your toddler’s request to the visual schedule and add a number to it. For example if you are reading 2 books. Have the number 2 next to the book. Refer back to the visual schedule when your child has another request and be consistent with your response “we already read 2 books, now it’s time for bed.”
Stay calm: this one is always tricky! But trust me… I can tell you from experience, it is so important so stay calm! Getting upset or angry will only make bedtime more challenging for the both of you!
These strategies you can help speed up toddler bedtimes and make the process a little smoother. Stat consistent and calm, and hopefully, your toddler’s bedtime battles will stop!
