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"Oh No! My Toddler is NOT sleeping! Help!"
Check behaviors first
☀️No lights in the room
light tells the brain it is time to be awake. This includes TV, phone, and bright house lights.
☀️Did your baby get outside today?
It is great to get outside during the beginning of the day when the sun is rising because this tells the brain it is time to wake and start the day (use energy).
Going outside in the evening when the sun is going down tells the brain the day is coming to an end (to calm and prepare for sleep).
Using energy during the day anytime is a great way to use energy, is a red activity on the sensory diet, and is an excellent way to get vitamin D3.
☀️Are there simulates?
Is your child consuming any simulates in their diet? Caffeine, chocolate, and large amounts of sugar = energy to burn.
"My child is having trouble going to sleep! They won't lay down and are bouncing off the walls! It's like they don't understand it's time to go to bed."
When your child isn't sleeping, neither are you Mama!
We KNOW sleep is important. I suggest sleep rituals and routines.
Pick a few things that you can do each evening before bed to help your child prepare for bedtime and wind down.
😴 After dinner your child might get a bath, brush their teeth, put on pajamas, engage in a play routine, or read a story with you.
😴 Set a few rituals that you do before bed:
Rub lotion on your child to calm them down
Turn the lights down low before bedtime
Avoid screen time
Play a sound machine or lullaby music at bedtime
Say prayers or affirmations with your child
Tell them about your day or name what they did during their day
Say “I love you”, and hug & kiss them
Play This Little Piggie with your child’s toes
Count out loud in a soft voice to your child
Having a special love item such as a stuffed animal or blanket that goes to bed with your child
By setting rituals and routines your child will begin to understand that it's time to wind down for bedtime. Rather than spending such a long time getting ready for bed they should begin to go down sooner and will most likely stay asleep longer. It is also helpful for children to have outside play during the daylight hours and when possible to go outside when the sun is setting for the day. Being exposed to sunset helps human bodies naturally produce melatonin which signals the body to wind down for the day and get ready for rest.
The time that you spend in rituals and routines with your child is an investment to help them sleep through the night.
"My toddler goes to bed, but they are right back up!"
"My toddler goes to bed, but they are right back up!"
"My baby can fall asleep but 1-2 hours later they are roaming the house and getting into my bed with me!"
"My baby can fall asleep but 1-2 hours later they are roaming the house and getting into my bed with me!"
When your child wakes up during the night I do not suggest removing your child from their room or bringing in toys or electronics. Removing your child from their room can signal to them that it's playtime or time to be awake. When a child wakes during the night we want to soothe our child to go back to sleep rather than staying awake.
If your child is able to get out of their own bed, try placing them back in their bed and reminding them that it's bedtime. From there pat their back or sing soft lullabies.
If you are using a sound machine make sure that it is still on to help your child soothe the back to sleep.
Using few words and little talking is a great way to help your child understand it's time to go back to bed and not time to be awake.
If the doorway allows you might try using a baby gate so that if your child climbs out of bed they can not roam the house for their safety. If they open their door and start calling for you- you'll be able to hear them. (If not use a baby monitor.)
"My child sleeps at night but when it's time to get up for the day he has trouble waking!"
"My baby won't get up! It's like she would sleep all day if I let her and later she is NOT going to nap if she doesn't get up during the morning!"
I suggest a “soft wakeup”.
Soft wakeup is when a parent uses strategies other than touch to wake the child a little more naturally 5-10 minutes before the actual wakeup time. Ideas include
Entering your child's room and opening the window blinds to let light in when possible
Turning the light on in the room and leaving the room until it is time to actually wake them up
Turning on happy music and leaving the room until it is time to actually wake them up
When it is time to wake up I suggest talking to your child for a minute or so before touching them. This allows your child to get light and sound before being touched when waking. For many children, this can result in a happier wakeup time. Think of the happy music as the opposite of a lullaby. Pick a song that is upbeat and plays it each morning. When you enter the room at the actual wakeup time you may sing the song.
After using a soft wakeup for several mornings in a row you should notice that your child wakes up a little more easily. It is common for toddlers to be grumpy when they wake up and do need some time before they're really going with their day. However, using a soft wakeup can help your child get into a happier mood sooner. If using the same happy song each morning it may help your child understand that it's time to get out of bed and they may be less likely to fight wake up time.
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