How to Get Your Child to Sleep

I have a toddler and a preschooler. At times, putting them to bed to sleep can come as a challenge. If you want to stay sane and avoid bedtime fights, following are healthy ways to put your bed to sleep.

Be Consistent With Bedtime Schedule
Bedtime should be set the same time each night. According to the National Sleep Foundation, infants and toddlers should have an average of twelve to fourteen hours of sleep daily, this includes afternoon naps and night time rests. With regular bedtime schedule, children can anticipate bedtime and they usually get the required hours of rest that they need for their age. Furthermore, when children have consistent bedtime and predictable bedtime routine, they feel safer and they are likely to be good sleepers.

Limit Play Before Bedtime
Today, children are living in a high-tech world. Little children as young as three know how the computer and television work. The problem with computer and television, they are not appropriate activities before bedtime because it stimulates the child's brain activity.  My son likes to play with my Ipod and his daddy's Galaxy S2. He can get too absorbed with his games that he lose track of time.

It is easier to put a child to bed if parents have set time boundaries for play. One or two hours before bed time, limit screen time. This includes watching television and playing video and computer games. When your child tries to negotiate for more time, be calm and restate that it is time to put away his toys and it is almost time to sleep. If he refuses to listen, give the game console a "time-out." Unplug the game and put it away where you feel is appropriate. Never place the game console inside your toddler's room. Children can be tempted to play unsupervised.

Take Care Of Your Child’s Needs
Before bedtime, I always give my children a warm shower. I choose clothes that are comfy and airy. Taking care of the child's physical needs first will make him sleep comfortably at night.

Putting a child to sleep may not be easy. Follow the three ways above and you will certainly have a restful child. It is not an overnight process. But with consistency and patience, it can be achieved.

I will leave you with this quote from H. Jackson Brown, Jr. 'Always kiss your children goodnight, even if they're already asleep.'

Watch The Video Below on How To Teach Your Child To Sleep in Their Own Bed