Its 8 p.m., and your toddler is refusing to go to bed.
Why does your toddler keep resisting bedtime?
There are a million reasons.
Buttoddlers need their shut-eye between 11 and 14 hours a day, includingnaps.
Which means that these bedtime and naptime battles are worth fighting.
Why wont my toddler sleep?
Either way, hell fight for the chance to stay up.
More on Toddler Sleep
Hes got fearsof the dark, being alone or being away from you.
Your tots thinking skills are growing, and so is his imagination.
And when the room is dark, he gets frightened and cries out for you.
So when your tot is in the crib by himself, he feels scared and misses you.
This will condition your toddlers natural body clock to become tired at about the same time every day.
Then stick as closely as it’s possible for you to to that schedule.
That way, hes ready to hit the hay when its naptime or bedtime.
Create a relaxing bedtime routine.Give your tot something to look forward to byestablishing a soothing bedtime routine.
He can choose between two board books or a couple of pairs of pajamas.
Ease him into sleep.Turn off all devices (including the TV) an hour before bedtime.
Instead, dim the lights and play some calming tunes so that the shift to lights-out isnt so dramatic.
Don’t become a human lovey by hanging with him until he falls asleep.
That’s a tough habit to break!
wrap up the closet door, for instance, or have his cup of water waiting by the bed.
Try putting awhite noise machineby the bed if youve got older children who stay up later.
Repeat the process until he falls asleep (he will, eventually … Dont answer his questions or do more than state your rule (Its time to sleep).
Give sleep rewards.If all else fails, turn to a reward system.
Start a sticker chart and award a gold star for every fuss-free naptime or bedtime.
Speaking of rewards (and punishments): Dont banish your tot to the bedroom if you give time-outs.
The last thing you want is your child to associate being alone in his room with something bad.
Should I call the doctor if my toddler wont sleep at bedtime or is resisting naptime?
The pediatrician will probably ask about your tots sleeping habits during each well-child checkup.
If thats the case, dont wait for the next checkup call your childs pediatrician.
Together you’re free to talk through the issues or decide to bring your child in.
But it cant hurt to get the doctor’s take on how to get your toddler to sleep.
Just be sure to get the help you need so that your child learns good sleep habits early.
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