Having Bedtime Problems? – Why & How to Help Them

Don’t we all agree that when everything is going well, putting your kid to bed at night is an absolute joy? But there are days when toddlers may not be ready to sleep at bedtime and you have to run after your tiny wild child, squeezing them into their pyjamas, and shutting the bedroom door as they scream on the other side.

The ultimate question now is… Is your child awake when he is supposed to be sleeping? Here are some techniques for resolving child sleep problems.

1. 1. Sign: When it is time for them to go to bed, toddlers frequently have temper tantrums.
      
      Reason: This could be because they are overtired and do not want the day to finish since they want to spend enough time with their guardian or parent.
      
      Solution: It is possible to tackle this problem by giving kids a regular bedtime and continuing to follow the same pattern each night. Even if your toddler appears alert and ready to go, the parent or caregiver should not give in to your child’s request for additional time. Maintaining a routine helps your child adjust more easily to their new environment. This ensures that when they are placed in their cribs, they know it is time for them to sleep.
   2. Sign: The toddler makes a desperate plea or constantly cries to be picked up by their caretaker or parent.
      
      Reason: Most of the time, this happens because they want to avoid being alone. Instead of reacting to your child’s every request, your caregiver or you as a parent could arrange a routine of visits to your child’s room instead of giving in to your child’s night time cries for them to return to their bedroom while they are alone at night.
      
      Solution: Your child’s requirements will be satisfied if they stick to the schedule. A toddler will eventually be able to self-soothe and sleep if nothing is wrong with them.
   3. Sign: Your toddler does not stay in bed and constantly gets out of their bed.
      
      Reason: This could be because they suffer from loneliness or because they do not need to go to sleep.
      
      Solution: Before saying good night to your child, the caregiver or you as parents should try giving your child one hour of silence to see if this helps your child to stay put. A good night’s sleep can be encouraged in a child by engaging in activities such as cuddling, reading, singing lullabies, or even giving them a soothing bath. If your child does not change their behaviour, they should be allowed to exit their bedroom once per night to ask for anything they require.
   4. Sign: Your toddler suffers from dreams and phobias.
      
      Reason: This may be because your toddler’s imagination is still maturing.
      
      Solution: Your toddler susceptible to these phobias should not watch scary movies before bedtime, and the caregiver or parent should avoid doing. The procedure to put your kid to bed ought to be made as upbeat as humanly possible.
   5. Sign: Your toddler needs an excessive amount of time to nod off.
      
      Reason: This could result from sleeping late or not maintaining a regular sleep schedule. The bedtime pattern of your toddler may be disrupted if there is a sudden shift in your kid’s schedule, such as when your child stays up too late at night before or takes a nap mid-afternoon. A lack of sleep can cause problems that occur at night.
      
      
      
      Solution: A nap in the morning and one in the afternoon is the ideal schedule for toddlers who still require two naps each day. Toddlers who can function well on one nap per day should have their caregivers or parents try to occupy their early morning hours with exercises, and the nap should be scheduled for after lunch.
   6. Sign: You find your toddler wide awake at the midnight.
      
      Reason: This occurs because your toddler eventually approaches the conclusion of a sleep cycle, at which they become sufficiently aware to recognize that they are alone. If your child is accustomed to having another person stay with them while they sleep, it is possible that they will not be able to get back to sleep on their own. They may be unable to sleep because they are so intent on mastering a new skill, such as walking, which requires a lot of concentration.
      
      Solution: Avoiding singing to your child altogether is the best way to handle this problem because singing would serve to excite them. Instead, one can try to coax your child into self-soothing by providing them with a blanket to wrap themselves in.
   7. Sign: Your toddler is obstinate and fails to sleep.
      
      Reason: Your toddler’s rapid physical development may have eliminated all but one of their daytime naps. On certain days, it is possible that your child will not be able to survive the morning without taking a nap. On other days, your toddler could refuse to nap in the middle of the day because they are having too much fun playing.
      
      Solution: It is easier for toddlers to adjust to a new pattern if they have days where they take two naps and days where they take only one nap. It may be possible to alleviate some of the difficulties experienced by the youngster by adhering to a pre-sleep regimen. If your child frequently has problems falling asleep, making the time of their nap to earlier in the day may be a solution to the problem.
   
   
   8. Sign: Your toddler wakes up significantly earlier than is reasonable in the morning.
      
      Reason: This may result from growth requiring your toddlers to spend less time alone as they age.
      
      Solution: If they look like they have had enough rest throughout the day, their bedtime should be pushed back somewhat. Parents and caregivers must investigate the cause of their toddlers’ distress first thing in the morning. It is best to wait a few minutes before giving your child something to eat, so they do not identify waking up with meals.

The recommended amount of sleep for toddlers aged one to two years is between 11 and 14 hours per day. This is why getting enough sleep is important for their development and maintaining their overall health. Toddlers who consistently obtain the recommended amount of sleep show improvements in their behaviour, memory, and attention, in addition to general improvements in their physical and mental health. Toddlers who do not receive enough sleep may experience slower brain development and more familiar negative feelings. Additionally, it may contribute to concerns with growth, difficulties with weight management, and an increased occurrence of infections.

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