Helping your toddler to sleep
Children like routines, and bedtime is a great time to sit down quietity together and read a favourite book; he may even want the same book every day.
Sleep during the day
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- Make up a nap time box for your child with favourite toys and books that he can look at as he gets sleepy before a nap. Don't leave good or expensive books - they may get ripped up. Leave board books or old books. A good alternative is to make up your own books by pasting interesting pictures from magazines on to board and then covering them with clear plastic film.
- Give your child an occasional treat by letting him take a nap in your bed, or somewhere near you.
- If your child won't take a nap, make sure that he has a rest time where he is calm and quiet.
- If your toddler won't go to sleep, put on a long-playing tape or CD. Teach your child that the rest time is not over until the music stops.
Sleep in the evening
- Don't put your child to bed immediately after an exciting game or rough-and-tumble - he will have great difficulty settling down, which will be frustrating for you. Give him 10-15 minutes to quieten down, sitting with you watching TV or looking at a book.
- Even a small child likes looking at a book in bed so, if your baby is quite happy, leave him with a favourite, non-scary book.
- Put a dab of your perfume or aftershave on to your child's pillow and suggest that he breathes it in deeply. Deep breathing is relaxing and calming and will help your child go off to sleep.
- Give your toddler a bath before bedtime and follow this with a warm drink and a story in bed.
New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard
Posted 03.11.2010
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