Getting your toddler into bed long enough to fall sleep, can pose a challenge for many parents. But while there’s no one right way to deal with sleep problems, there are many strategies you can try.

Some of the reasons your child may not want to go to bed may be:

Having to leave the activity of the house behind.

If he’s really involved in a boisterous game just before bedtime, you’ll have problems tearing him away. Try to introduce some quieter activities in the run-up to bedtime so that when you move into your night-time routine, he’ll be calmer and more ready to relax in bed.

Being frightened of being left alone.

If this is the case, no matter what time you put your child to bed, he’ll still be unhappy. Try introducing a night light or some gentle music. Often children who are frightened find it reassuring to have the bedroom door wide open so they can hear and see you moving around the house.

A very busy or exciting day.

Sometimes it’s unavoidable that the excitement of the day runs straight up to bedtime, and on these days you’ll just have to have patience if your child struggles to wind down. Try to encourage a bath and a book before bed, or even a quiet game.

Lack of a night-time routine

If your child has no regular night-time routine, then he may not actually be aware that he’s going to bed until the very minute he gets there. By having a regular routine, he’ll learn to follow cues and understand that after teeth-cleaning comes reading then cuddles then bed. And then sleep.
going to bed too early. Be realistic about what time your child should be going to bed. Sure you’d like him to be asleep by 7pm, but if he’s routinely still bouncing around in bed an hour later then chances are he needs his bedtime to be moved a little later.

If he calls out from his room:

• Make sure you have a regular, calm bedtime routine in place.
• Before you turn out the light, check that your child has everything he needs and remind him that it’s time for sleep
• When he calls out the first time, go in to him and check that he doesn’t actually need anything (the toilet, a favourite bear) other than your attention. Once you’ve ascertained that he’s OK, quietly and firmly say good night and leave.
• No matter how loud and persistent he gets, try to resist responding to his calls. If you do respond by returning to his bedside, he’ll endlessly repeat the same behaviour each night to get your attention and delay bedtime.
• If your toddler shares his bedroom with a sibling, you may want to avoid disruptions and delay your older child’s bedtime for a short while – or have him camp out in another bedroom – until your toddler learns that bed means sleep. And you mean business.

If he comes out of his room:

Some children get into the habit of repeatedly getting out of bed and coming out of their room every night until it seems that your exhausted attempts to convince your overtired child to stay in bed each night is your new bedtime routine.

To put an end to this, you need to send your child a strong, silent message that there’s no value in coming out of his room after bedtime because you’re not going to give him any attention.

To do this, we suggest:

• immediately pick him up, or take him by the hand, and take him back to bed
• other than firmly reminding him that it’s bedtime, don’t enter into negotiations or conversation of any kind
• avoid eye contact with him
• be consistent
• always stay calm and goal-focussed. Getting angry or frustrated will only complicate the process.

If you stick to this routine, he’ll start staying in his room after you’ve had a cuddle and turned off the light. Sure, he may not stay in his bed, but as long as he stays in his room, you can count this as a victory.n you for dinner. Allow the child to encourage the guest and model how to eat.

This article was written by Ella Walsh for Kidspot. Sources include Raising Children’s Network.