Simple and Effective Toddler Bedtime Routine
- A
- Apr 16, 2020
- 4 min read
Those of you who are blessed to be parents know that it is not always easy. In fact, it can be downright difficult. When I was a brand new mommy, figuring out the proper sleep schedule for my little one seemed so foreign and I was always questioning whether or not I was doing the right things. I will say that those first several weeks were fairly rough filled with many a sleepless night. Not only because babies wake every 2-4 hours to eat, but also because new mommies wake every 12 minutes to make sure their little one is still safe, breathing, the right temperature, etc...you get the idea.
If you have a toddler, you know how stubborn and strong-willed they can be. Is bedtime at your home a dreaded moment? Does your toddler fight you tooth and nail when it comes to going to sleep? Maybe you have tried implementing some type of routine but eventually gave up thinking that your child was just too stubborn to stick to a set schedule?
We have all heard the saying that every child is different and this is very true. I am not a pediatrician or expert of any kind, but I know that my child thrives off of routine. He loves knowing what to expect at what time of day. Perhaps your child is similar in this way. If so, read on to learn how we have managed to make bedtime routine in our home a simple and pleasant affair.
Since my son was about 1 year old, we have strictly adhered to this bedtime routine. Even at a younger age we dabbled with his bedtime routine to try to determine what strategies worked for us. Now that he is 3 years old, he understands and even enjoys bedtime routine most nights. This isn't to say that we don't have more difficult nights, but 90% of the time, he goes to bed (and to sleep) happily and peacefully.
The routine below does not indicate actual times as I know many people have different schedules that work for them. Use your own discretion to determine what time the routine should take place for you. I have also included links to some products that we and/or our son actually use and enjoy for our bedtime routine.
1. Tell your child when it is almost time to go to bed.
After dinner, we typically have about a half an hour of playtime. During this time, we try to keep the play fairly quiet and relaxed, limiting the amount of intense physical activity. Some of his favorite quiet, pre-bedtime toys are this Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog and this Wooden Shape Sorter.
As our son plays, we quietly tell him several times "After we play, it's time to go take a bath and go night-night." or "It's time to settle down, we need to go take your bath soon." I am increasingly surprised at how intuitive toddlers can be and how quickly my son catches on to these things.
2. Bath-time
For us, bath-time is a really important step in the bedtime routine. It gives our son a little more time to settle down and play quietly in his bath. We also often use a few drops of this lavender oil in his bath to make it even more relaxing.
On a side note, our son also has sensitive skin and sometimes gets patches of eczema in his elbows and behind his knees. I hear from many other parents who have the same problem with their little ones. We have found that Dr. Bronners Pure Castile soap is the only thing that keeps his skin clear and doesn't cause any redness or irritation. It seems a little pricey but is highly concentrated so one bottle goes a very long way. (A 16oz bottle can last us about 8-9 months.) I use these re-usable Foaming Soap Bottles to dilute the soap and make a yummy foaming bath wash.
3. Story Time
My son has been consistently read to since he was only a few weeks old. Although we do read to him occasionally throughout the day, it is mainly reserved for pre-bedtime moments. He has now learned to associate story time with going to sleep. (We do story time before his mid-day nap as well.)
Some of his favorite books are linked below. These aren't all necessarily bedtime-themed books, but each of these hold his attention throughout and he loves pointing out things as he learns new words. (I recommend having several bedtime books in your arsenal for bedtime routine. Probably more than you think. Trust me, it can get tiresome reading Good Night, Moon thirty nights in a row, so you will want several books to keep in the rotation!)
I have truly come to cherish story time with my little one. I know that this phase won't last forever so I try to be mindfully thankful of every time we share a story together.
4. Straight to Bed
After a few books, we turn of the light, turn on his Lullaby Owl Nightlight, say night-night and put him in his bed. And that's it! He typically goes right to sleep because he has learned that bedtime routine is serious.
I should say that it does take some time and persistence. Consistency is key if you want to implement a routine. Keep at it and you may be surprised how your toddler catches on and adapts.
If you have any other tips for a peaceful and pleasant bedtime routine, please share below.
Until next time,
A
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