Toddler bedtime struggles are the common challenges every parent faces. When your children are energetic and refuse to go to sleep, it’s annoying for you to control your temper. Some parents use force or yelling on toddlers. This situation led to frustration in both the parents and the children.
However, sleep is so important for toddlers to grow. Good sleep helps their brain develop and makes them ready to learn the next day. Without enough sleep, toddlers can become cranky, frustrated, and have trouble focusing.
In this article, you will explore different techniques to help you solve those toddler bedtime struggles.
So, keep reading to explore the solution to toddlers fighting bedtime.
3 Common Toddler Bedtime Struggles and Their Causes
Here are the three main reasons behind the toddler bedtime battles every parent faces.
1. Nighttime Resistance
One of the main reasons toddlers fight bedtime is due to separation anxiety. Toddlers often feel scared when they’re away from their parents. They may not want to be left alone in their rooms at night. It led to developing resistance in children. This fear is perfectly normal, but it can make bedtime a struggle.
Another big factor is overstimulation. Strong-willed toddlers are curious and full of energy. If they’ve had a busy day with too much play, screen time, or excitement, it’s harder for them to wind down. Without a proper routine, they don’t know when to stop this activity.
2. Bedtime Battles
Raising children, especially boys, is very challenging. When your toddlers grow, they start seeking more independence and control of their time. Bedtime becomes a battleground for power, where they may resist bedtime. They want to decide when to sleep and may try to delay it by asking for another horror story.
Temperament also plays a big role. Some toddlers are naturally more independent or have a strong-willed personality. These kids may struggle with bedtime more than others.
3. Night Waking and Sleep Disruptions
In the growth age, toddlers go through many changes that can impact their sleep. New milestones, like learning to walk or talk, can disrupt their sleep patterns. They may wake up more often or have trouble falling back asleep.
Night terrors and sleep regressions are also common during this stage. Toddlers may suddenly wake up and start crying in the middle of the night. These situations can be challenging for parents, but they’re usually temporary.
How to Create a Toddler Bedtime Routine That Works?
After you know the common toddler fighting sleep, let’s explore the steps that help you to know how to get a toddler to stay in bed.
Step No. 1: Starting with a Relaxing Pre-Bedtime Activity
The first step is to take a bath before going to bed. It helps your toddler wind down with a calming activity. A warm bath can be soothing and a great way to signal that it’s almost time to sleep. The warm water helps relax their muscles and calm their minds. Alternatively, reading a book together can also set a peaceful environment. Choose books with soft, gentle stories that are comforting.
Step No. 2: Creating a Comfortable Sleep Environment
After your child takes a warm bath, the second step is to create a comfortable sleeping environment. Make sure the room is quiet and dark. A nightlight may help if your toddler is scared of the dark. Keep the room cool but not too cold.
The temperature around 65-70°F (18-21°C) is ideal for sleep. Parents must make the bedding soft. You should buy comfortable pyjamas for your toddlers as nightdresses.
Step No. 3: Setting Clear Boundaries for Bedtime
To avoid toddler bedtime struggles, it’s important to set clear boundaries. Toddlers love to test limits, but they also feel secure when they know the rules. Let them know what to expect and what’s not up for negotiation.
For example, you can say, “After one more story, it’s time for bed,” and stick to it. If your toddler tries to delay bedtime, gently remind them of the routine. By staying consistent with your boundaries, your toddler will understand that bedtime is non-negotiable. This is also very helpful for those who know how to raise happy kids.
These steps help you to create a healthy bedtime routine and follow them without any delay. Sometimes, the students don’t follow your sleeping schedule or rules and develop resistance. So, what do you do in this condition? Let’s explore in the section below.
Techniques for Dealing with Bedtime Resistance
These techniques help you deal with the 2-year-old fighting bedtime toddlers calmly.
Offering Choices to Empower Toddlers
Toddlers love to feel like they have control over their lives. Bedtime can feel like a battle for them because they want to make their own decisions.
One way to make bedtime easier is by providing limited choices. For example, let your toddler choose between two sets of pyjamas. Giving them options within a set of boundaries helps them feel empowered. It reduces resistance and makes them feel involved.
Using Positive Reinforcement and Rewards
You can also deal with bedtime resistance by using positive reinforcement. When your toddler follows the bedtime routine, reward their behavior with love or affection. Saying things like, “You did a great job getting ready for bed.
A simple reward system, like a sticker chart, can also help. For every night they go to bed without a struggle, they earn a sticker. After earning a certain number of stickers, they can choose a small reward, like a special outing. This method motivates your toddler to stick to the routine.
Gentle Sleep Training Methods
If you are feeling the toddler resisting bedtime, gentle sleep training methods can help. The gradual approach to sleep training focuses on slowly introducing sleep practices. You can start by staying along with your toddlers in their room. Then gradually move away until the older feels comfortable with your absence.
On the other hand, you can also use the cry-it-out method. It involves letting your toddler cry for set periods before soothing them. These are very excellent methods or tips for working women to adopt it.
Both methods enable you to develop the sleeping habit in toddlers.
When to Seek Professional Help for Toddler Bedtime Struggles
Sometimes your toddler’s sleep struggles continue for weeks. It may be time to seek professional help. If your child’s bedtime resistance doesn’t improve, this could be a sign of a sleep disorder. Consulting with your pediatrician or a sleep specialist can help you diagnose the reason behind it. These professionals can guide you through possible underlying issues.
Red Flags to Watch For
Some signs indicate that your toddler may need professional help. Look out for these red flags:
- Snoring
- Excessive restlessness
- Sudden disruptions
- Daytime fatigue
All these signs influence the patient’s mood and development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does My Toddler Fight Bedtime Every Night?
There are a lot of reasons behind this situation. Fear of the dark, separation anxiety, and feeling energetic are the common reasons that lead to bedtime struggles. Furthermore, development leaps and inconsistencies also impact the overall child sleeping habit.
How Long Does it Take to Fix Toddler Bedtime Problems?
It depends on the parent’s routine habits, the methods they use, and the child’s nature. Generally, toddlers take a few days to a month to set their routine and fix the bedtime problems. However, it may require a longer duration for some stubborn children.
Can Teething or Illness Affect My Toddler’s Sleep?
Yes, both conditions can make a great impact on children’s sleeping patterns. During the teething process, the child may suffer from fever and discomfort. Long durations of illness in children lead to weakness and restful night sleep. Sometimes, your toddler shows aggression and doesn’t follow any rules.
Is It Normal for Toddlers to Wake Up Multiple Times During the Night?
Yes, it’s normal for toddlers when they wake up multiple times during the night. This is considered a normal part of their development and sleeping patterns. However, if your child wakes up outside their daily routine, then there are certain reasons or issues that disturb them, like fear of being alone and growth spurts.
Final Thoughts – Toddler Bedtime Struggles
To sum up, the toddlers’ bedtime struggles lead to developing aggression and depression in parents. Furthermore, it’s also frustrating the toddlers. It’s important to learn the basic methods or techniques that enable you to develop a bedtime routine. It’s involved making boundaries and adapting methods that stimulate the children to go to sleep.
However, the bedtime routine requires time and consistency to implement it without any gap. It doesn’t mean you follow the routine one time and expect the child to sleep the next day without your interface. Definitely, it’s not possible. You need to do it for a few weeks to make this schedule a habit for children. Keep in mind, your children are at a growing age and need your attention and guidance. So, rush to develop this habit.