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Your Toddler Doesn’t Want To Sleep? These 4 Tips Can Help in Sleep Problems

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You probably know it: your toddler doesn't want to sleep. At this age, your child is discovering all kinds of things and they often consider themselves very big and mature. As a result, they don't want to go to bed, let alone sleep. Still, sleeping at this age is very important, because this way your toddler can grow well and develop better.
In this article, we look at several ways you can still put your toddler to sleep so that you also get your well-deserved rest.

Why do toddlers need a lot of sleep?

Toddler Sleep ProblemsSleep is important for everyone, but toddlers and small children especially benefit from it. It is very important for their development. A good night's sleep helps toddlers improve their cognitive skills, better regulate their mood and maintain their physical health. In addition, it also gives you as a parent a few moments of rest, which is a pleasant experience for many parents.

If your child gets too little sleep, you will soon notice the effects. This can give your child extra pressure. Some confuse this with symptoms of ADHD, but often it has to do with an overtired toddler. In addition, prolonged sleep deprivation can lead to problems with their mental health and school skills later in life. So your toddler must get enough sleep. Toddlers need about 11 to 14 hours of sleep every day. You can divide this over the day so that your toddler can take a short nap of a few hours in the afternoon.

Toddler doesn't want to sleep tips – Toddler Sleep Problems

Toddler Sleep Problems2Your toddler doesn't want to sleep is something that probably happens more often. It is known to almost every parent. However, both your toddler and yourself need to get enough sleep. That is why we have written down several tips that can help you put your child to bed. Because not every child is the same, some tips may work better than others. So try them all out to see which one works best.

1. Create a routine

When you have a routine, your child knows exactly what to expect when it's bedtime. You start by setting a fixed time for getting your child ready for bed. Then you work through a list of things to do before your child goes to bed, such as turning off electronics, brushing your teeth, choosing a stuffed animal, and reading a story. Give your child the space to indicate what they need when they go to bed, which makes it easier to keep up with the routine.

2. Give them a comfortable sleeping space

If your toddler is afraid of the dark, a dark bedroom can be a room in which they do not feel comfortable and therefore do not want to sleep. A night light can come in handy here. Also, a room that is too warm is not a pleasant environment or a room with a lot of clutter. Make your child's bedroom a comfortable space that they feel comfortable in so that they have fewer problems sleeping in their room.

3. No big meals right before bedtime

Toddlers eat a lot and need a lot of food, which is very normal. Nevertheless, a large meal can be just too heavy on the stomach, so that your toddler does not want to sleep. Therefore, make sure that the last big meal is at least 3 hours before bedtime, and if your child wants a snack afterward, that it is a small and healthy snack. Too much greasy food is also not good.

4. Toddler Won't Sleep: Give Them More Control

Although it sounds very contradictory, giving your toddler more control over their bedtime and routine can help. Explain to your child that it is important to get a lot of sleep, but also tell your child that you will not just leave. Many small children suffer from separation anxiety. Ask what your child needs to get a good night's sleep, whether it's a nap or a good night's sleep. Some children want to play by themselves first, others want to cuddle with their parents first. Let your child choose their pajamas and give them freedom in finding a routine. Sometimes it happens that your child doesn't want to go to bed until late, that's fine as long as they eventually get enough sleep per day.

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