Toddler sleep training
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If you’ve got a toddler, bedtime might be a pretty challenging part of the day — especially if you’re trying to get your little one to sleep independently. Luckily, there are lots of gentle toddler sleep training techniques, tips, and solutions to cope with just about any issue.
Through consistently using gentle sleep techniques, you will gradually teach your toddler to sleep independently and settle easily...without the screaming toddler tantrums.
- Ensure your toddler has a comfort item like a cuddly or a special blanket or soft toy. These comfort items always help children in times of separation anxiety.
- Having a cozy bedroom to help them sleep all night while toddler sleep training is a must. Make sure the room is set at the appropriate temperature and is completely dark and white noise is running continuously to block out unwanted noise or bumps in the night.
- Try adding a toddler night light such as a little belle light as this can be comforting for toddlers.
- Be calm and soothing with them and quietly popping back into their room after they've first gone to bed so they know you're still there.
- Having a good sleep schedule and keeping to the same routine will help toddlers know what to expect when it comes to nap- and bedtime, and will help them prepare for sleep.
- Get active during the day. It will be easier for your toddler to sleep at night if they get out their energy during the day. It’s especially beneficial if they get daily exposure to natural light that can contribute to a healthy circadium rythm.
- Look at foods that help toddler sleep. What scientists coin as the ‘sleep tonic’, melatonin is a hormone produced in the brain which helps regulate our body clock, telling us when it’s time for bed. It’s also used for regulating our moods, along with dopamine. For toddlers, the best snacks to help them sleep are foods rich in tryptophan and melatonin such as bananas, kiwifruit and cherries.
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Make them feel more secure with the help of magical folk. Ending the night with a special night time message is a great way to bond with your child and help them feel secure in their bedroom. One way to do this is to make a call out to magical folk such as fairies and unicorns, to come and watch over them and give them good dreams. Whimsically themed nightlights from little belle (www.little-belle.com) are perfect to help with this. By making this a part of their bedtime routine, you will also help signal to their brains that it’s wind down time, making it easier for them to feel sleepy naturally.