Are you unsure of what to do if your child fails to go to sleep? You’re not by yourself! One of the most typical toddler sleep issues, especially when Toddler wouldn’t stay in bed, is this one. Young children inherently push boundaries. They discover and study their surroundings in this way. However, your toddler’s need for autonomy and control frequently interferes with their sleep. I can assist.
1. Your youngster is having trouble getting into bed after switching from a crib
To start, to set everyone up for success, I usually advise making sure your child is ready to make the switch to a toddler bed. If they can do so securely, staying in the crib for a little while longer could be the solution.
The next crucial step is to set up strong, loving limits for nap and bedtime if your child isn’t able to stay in the crib or has already gone into bed. While you can’t compel a child to go to sleep, you can make remaining in bed a strict requirement. How are you able to accomplish that? You walk your kid back to bed after they get out of bed each time. You should remain composed, solid, and non-reactive. Your kid loses interest in trying to get out of bed when there is no response and they just stroll back to bed. In due course, your child will come to understand that remaining in bed is the only option for naps and bedtime, even if you may need to repeat this several times.
2. You should modify your toddler’s sleeping space
Ensuring a suitable environment for restful sleep is our top priority.
This is how that seems to most toddlers:
A completely quiet, dark room. Your child will know it’s time for bed when they see these dark surroundings.
The sound of a sound machine buzzing. Little ones sleep better and avoid being startled by loud noises when exposed to a constant sound like that of a shower.
A place devoid of captivating diversions. Examine the space in your toddler’s room. Are there any toys or decorations that stimulate the mind? Your child may find it more difficult to fall asleep if they know that their favorite toys are waiting for them, even if their room is completely dark. As you put the toys away in the closet or toy bin for the night, have your kid assist you in saying “goodnight” to them and assure them that they will still be there for play the following day.
A temperature that’s ideal for sleeping. For all ages, the ideal temperature range for sleeping is usually between 68°F and 72°F. Even if that range isn’t always reached, your youngster can still feel secure and at ease. Simply reposition their bedding and pajamas to fit.
3. You should assess your toddler’s sleep routine.
Changing a toddler’s sleep pattern, especially when Toddler wouldn’t stay in bed, can frequently assist when they refuse to stay in bed for naps or at night. Why? Since an excess of fatigue causes a child’s cortisol levels to rise, a “second wind” that keeps them from falling asleep. However, a youngster who isn’t exhausted enough will find it easy to get out of bed since their body isn’t prepared for sleep.
Examine the wake windows and overall duration of daytime sleep for your kid. To assist you, I have a site that is dedicated to toddler sleep routines for 2, 3, and 4-year-olds.
Remember that most toddlers require naps until they are around 4 years old. However, as each kid grows at a different rate, some may be ready to stop napping a bit earlier, while some may continue to nap far into the age of four.
A flexible bedtime might help prevent overtiredness if your child refuses to take the nap you know they need. You can consider going to bed as early as 6:00 or 6:30 pm. My Toddler Sleep Training workshop will teach you developmentally appropriate sleep practices for autonomous nights, happy days, and seamless transitions during the toddler years if your toddler is having trouble falling asleep.
4. A regular nighttime routine is necessary for your kid
Toddlers are best suited for routine and predictability. A well-informed expectation at night can significantly impact the effectiveness of one’s sleep. Maintaining a regular bedtime routine, particularly important when Toddler wouldn’t stay in bed, facilitates the transition from awake to sleep, helps your toddler sense when sleep is approaching, and establishes a protective barrier that makes them feel safe.
A nightly schedule doesn’t have to be difficult. All you have to do is follow the same procedure every night to assist your child learn what your expectations are for bedtime. Especially if your child struggles with transitions, using a visual reminder such as a bedtime routine chart will help make bedtime simpler.
5. Your youngster is experiencing a regression in their sleep
The toddler years are a time of significant developmental advancements and changes. Your child may find it difficult to go to sleep due to their developing feeling of independence and their vivid imagination. Sleep disruptions can also result from significant routine changes, such as the addition of a sibling, toilet training, and preschool enrollment.
Several typical indicators of a toddler’s sleep regression include:
- Getting up early in the morning
- Awakening in the wee hours of the morning
- Snatching quick naps, objecting to naps, or declining naps
- Fighting or stalling before bedtime
Since every kid grows at their speed, you may notice a toddler sleep regression if your child is going through a growth spurt, developmental stage, or a high in separation anxiety, especially when Toddler wouldn’t stay in bed. Some toddlers may experience the 2-year-old sleep regression. Regressions in sleep are usually transient, so your toddler’s schedule shouldn’t be altered. During these transitions, if your child is pushing limits, accept that this is normal and keep sleep as your top priority. Regression in sleep can be sped up by maintaining consistency.
If you’ve never been a good sleeper, don’t worry—it’s still possible to become one. You will learn an all-encompassing, emotionally connected method in my toddler sleep training workshop for establishing your 2, 3, or 4-year-old’s sleep up for success.
6. Your little child has a fear of the dark
We want to do all in our power as parents to allay our children’s anxieties. Here’s my recommendation if your kid refuses to stay in bed because they’re terrified of the dark: explain to them why and how they’re already secure. Together, inspect the closet. Together, search beneath the bed. Show them the safety of their bed and the rest of their room. Around the age of two to three and a half, children start to develop their imagination, which only grows as they age. Sometimes this significant growth results in a youngster developing a fear of the dark. A fear of the dark can also be exacerbated by the following factors:
Being very worn out: A toddler’s body releases stress chemicals when they are overtired, which can exacerbate anxiety.
Being too little weary: Your child may spend more time lying in bed awake if they aren’t sleepy enough at bedtime, which gives them more opportunity to let their imagination run wild.
Screen time: Occasionally, something that looks innocuous to us might frighten your youngster and exacerbate their dread of the dark. Watch what your child is viewing on screens, even if it’s just in the background. Screens should be turned off at least an hour before naps or sleep, in my opinion.
7. If my kid still won’t remain in bed, what can I do?
Even after all the preparation and clear expectations have been established, testing boundaries is a typical part of a toddler’s growth. I understand that this might be upsetting, but success depends on having a strategy in place for when those limits are being crossed. You may just make a plan that states that you will quietly walk your child back to bed after they get out of it, tuck them in, and then leave the room.
For personalized assistance and expert guidance tailored to your family’s needs, consider reaching out to Tiny Duck Parenting. Their Toddler Sleep Training workshop offers a comprehensive and adaptable, step-by-step strategy that considers awake time, sleep time, toddler behavior, and much more. With Tiny Duck Parenting’s expertise, you can create a plan to ensure peaceful evenings and restful naps for your child. Helping your kid sleep well in their bed is within reach with the right support and guidance.
