In parents’ lives one of the best moments is seeing their toddlers sleeping peacefully. But many parents worldwide might find toddlers’ bedtime to be the hardest part of the day. Children this age often struggle to get enough sleep at night, especially due to daytime mood swings. According to a survey, 70% of children below 5 years old have a sleep problem. Unfortunately, merely parents understanding that children need to sleep well doesn’t guarantee that they will.
However, even while babies are snuggled up in bed, their brains are hard at work on maturational tasks like memory consolidation.
Therefore, for the growth of your child’s health and wellbeing, sleep is crucial. In actuality, sound sleeping practices begin at birth. But if you think it is late to start, don’t worry this blog about sleeping tips for toddlers is for you.
Sleeping Tips For Toddlers
Here are some easy solutions to the most frequent sleep issues, which you can use starting tonight.
1. Encourage daily naps
Taking daily naps is necessary. It might be challenging for an active child to go through the day without taking a break. Without a nap, a youngster will frequently wake up unhappy and get fussier or more hyperactive throughout the day. Additionally, the length and quality of naps have an impact on how well you sleep at night.
2 yeard old sleep regression is common and at that time you may need to be more patient and manage the sudden change in sleep patten of your 2 year old.
2. Maintain a regular bedtime and waking time
The biological clock of your child greatly affects how awake and sleepy they are. By establishing a regular bedtime and wake-up time, you can set your child’s clock to run smoothly.
Attempt to go to bed early. The optimal time to put young toddlers to bed is between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Most toddlers who go to bed early, sleep longer and better.
3. Create cozy sleep environment
Where your child sleeps can be a key to quality sleep. Make use of high quality sleepmats which are comfortable, and warm blankets. Check the room temperature is right, pajamas are comfy, and the bedroom is welcoming. This all can make a huge difference in your toddler sleeping. You can also incorporate bedtime stories to improve your child’s sleeping experience.
4. Power down
Electronic screens like mobile or TV produce harmful light that stimulates the brain, so try to avoid using them right before night. In addition this can prevent the release of the sleep-inducing hormones melatonin and serotonin in your toddlers.
Besides, children who are not using screens are found to be more active, using up more of their natural physical energy, which will make it simpler for them to fall asleep at night.
5. Help alleviate fears
Even while ghosts and other spooky creatures may not really prowl the streets at night, you should talk to your child about their worries before bed. Try employing a particular toy to stand watch at night if basic assurance doesn’t work, or spray the room with “monster spray” before bed.
Try to plan a time during the day to talk about any worries and stay away from having these types of chats right before night.
How many hours is enough for your kid?
Kids’ healthy development and a healthy lifestyle depend on getting enough sleep. According to research, children who receive enough sleep exhibit improvements in:
- Memory
- Attention
- Learning
- Emotional control
- Behavioral health
- Physical wellbeing
- Overall standard of living
Sleep is therefore the best treatment. It costs nothing, has no negative side effects, and does not need previous insurance company consent. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, a certain number of hours each age group — from babies to teenagers — should sleep in 24 hours.
| Age range | Recommended sleep |
| Babies (4 to 12 months) | 12 to 16 hours |
| Toddlers (12 to 24 months) | 11 to 14 hours |
| Preschoolers (3 to 5 years) | 10 to 13 hours |
| School-aged kids (6 to 12 years) | 9 to 12 hours |
| Teenagers (13 to 18 years) | 8 to 10 hours |
Therefore, sleep is one of the most basic of all human experiences. Everyone needs it. And ensuring that your kids have enough of it is essential if you want them to continue learning and developing.
Why is it important for kids to get enough sleep
Getting adequate sleep is vital for children’s health, growth, and development. So aside from the above sleeping tips for toddlers, know some key reasons why it’s important for kids to get enough sleep:
Growth and Development – Growth hormones are primarily secreted during deep sleep. Therefore, adequate sleep is essential for infants, toddlers, and young children who are in phases of rapid growth and development.
Brain Development and Learning – During sleep, the brain works to consolidate learning by making connections between the events, sensory input, feelings, and memories of the day. Deep sleep is a prime time for the brain to make these connections, which in turn aids memory, learning, and overall cognitive development.
Emotional Regulation – Sleep helps children regulate their emotions and moods. Lack of sleep can make children more irritable, short-tempered, and prone to mood swings. A good night’s sleep can help them be more patient and have better control over their emotions.
Immune Function – During sleep, the immune system releases proteins called cytokines, which the body needs to fight off infections, illness, or stress. Lack of sleep can suppress immune system function, making kids more prone to getting sick.
Attention and Behavior – Children who consistently do not get enough sleep are more likely to have attention and behavior problems that can impact their academic performance and social relationships. They may become hyperactive, distracted, forgetful, and may have a hard time managing impulses and emotions.
Physical Health – In the long term, chronic sleep deprivation can lead to many health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
In short, sleep is as important to children as eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Parents and caregivers should prioritize sleep and maintain consistent sleep routines to ensure children get the rest they need for optimal health and development.
Hope this blog about sleeping tips for toddlers helped you. You may also want to check this infographics from my blog about How to Get Your Toddler to Sleep:
Thank you for sharing this helpful tips with us.