Bedtime routines are very important for most children. Bedtime routines create positive sleep patterns and help to develop a sense of safety and stability.

Your Toddler will benefit from a set bedtime. Pick a time for bed that is rational for your toddler and which you can keep consistent.

Establish a bedtime routine that can provide predictability and a soothing, familiar pattern.

A good bedtime routine will help teach toddler to quiet down, relax and get ready to sleep.

However, not every technique works for every toddler. For example, if bathing is stimulating or frightening for your child, it’s probably a better idea to do it at another time of day rather than just before you want your toddler to calm down and go to sleep.

How to Create Bedtime Routine for Toddler

Combine activities that you know have a relaxing effect on your toddler into their bedtime routine. Keep the routine short and sweet.  It should realistically only consist of few steps that can be accomplished in reasonable time and not drawn out into hours on end each night.

Reading your child’s favorite bedtime story each night, brushing teeth, having a glass of water, and saying goodnight can all be  soothing activities for a toddler to perform each night.  Hugging and kissing family members is usually also an essential part of the bedtime routine.

Try not to lie on the bed with your toddler until she falls asleep.  This might actually have the opposite effect, and might encourage your toddler to stay awake, and ask for drink of water or more bedtime stories.

Sometimes there will be nights when circumstances prevent your child from getting to bed at their usual time.  Be sure not to alter the process when this happens, keep in mind that each step can be shortened significantly in order to prevent long frustrations at a time when the child is tired.

What to do when toddler refuses to sleep

The most important thing is consistency and repetition. If the toddler can expect same things every night, and these routines are pleasant, bedtime can become a lovely family ritual. If however, your toddler is continually resisting sleep, have a chat with your child’s pediatrician, as there might be a medical problem at the root of it.

What if my toddler won’t stay in bed?

Putting your toddler to bed can sometimes be a really frustrating task.

Physical exhaustion, excitement, and tension build up until the toddler no longer knows she’s tired. Then it’s up to you as a parent to help her figure out how to stop and relax. You can help make the transition from active, energetic day to calm, quiet and peaceful night by easing him into sleep with quiet activities in the evening after dinner.

Coloring a picture, sitting down and reading books, quiet play at bath time, or singing lullabies together can help your toddler start winding down.  If this is done within the context of a consistent bedtime routine, your toddler will begin to associate these activities with bedtime and find them comforting.

It’s also important to relax with your toddler.  If he sees you busy in the kitchen cleaning, outside gardening, or doing other busy activities in the evenings, he’ll be likely to want to do the same, making the bedtime routine frustrating for everyone involved.

The earlier your toddler’s bedtime routine is established, the easier it is to put them to bed without a fight.

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