Why won't my baby or toddler go to sleep?
How to avoid bedtime resistance and get your evenings back
Why won’t my child go to sleep at bedtime?
This is question that I get asked regularly by my clients.
If you are finding that your baby, toddler or older child is refusing to go to sleep at bedtime then there are simple quick wins that you may wish to try.
Here are 4 key tips on how to help your child to fall asleep at bedtime
Undertiredness
Is your child tired enough for sleep? For example, if your child is of napping age, have you left long enough of an awake window for them to be tired enough to sleep. Equally, your child no matter their age will need to be sufficiently physically exerted and cognitively stimulated for sleep. Children under the age of 5 are recommend to be physically exerted for 3 hours or more, this includes non mobile babies.
Overtiredness
On the flip side, is your child overtired? For instance, have naps been sufficient or for older children who no longer nap is their daytime awake period too long? Once your child is overtired, their cortisol levels are raised. Cortisol can be the reason for your child refusing to sleep at bedtime, this may look like crying, back arching, screaming or being hyperactive. If your child is still napping ensure that the awake window between last nap and bedtime isn’t too long.
Screentime
One of the first things to try if your baby or toddler will not go to sleep a bedtime, is to consider if they are watching screen time before bed. Screens such as mobile/cell phones, computers, tablets and television emit blue light, which can delay melatonin production. Melatonin is the sleepy hormone that needs to be released to trigger sleep, therefore being exposed to blue light can make it difficult for your child to fall asleep. Try not to allow your child to watch or use screens 2 hours before bedtime, instead set a screen cut off time for before dinner.
Wind Down Time
Lastly, does your child have time to wind down after a busy day? A bedtime routine is a great opportunity for allowing your child to know sleep time is coming, however here I am referring to wind down time before bedtime routine. Allowing your child to unwind after dinner, let’s them know that the busy day is over and it is time to get ready to relax which makes it easier to fall asleep. During wind down time, you can include activities such as puzzles, reading, non stimulating toys, deep pressure massage, relaxing music, turning lights down low or using an essential oil diffuser.
There are my four key tips on how to avoid bedtime resistance for your baby and toddler.
