Effective Sleep Strategies For Toddlers

During the time my children were infants, establishing a consistent sleep routine and getting them to sleep soundly through the night was a challenge. As they grew older, I began searching for effective toddler sleep hacks to ease the process.

My husband and I invested a lot of effort into making bedtime a pleasant and low-stress experience. We would lay our tired children down in their cribs, and they learned to self-soothe. When they cried, we would leave them for 10 minutes before going in to comfort them. This cycle continued until they were able to drift off on their own. After months of this routine, bedtime became a breeze, with both children typically asleep within ten minutes by around 10 months of age.

However, once they transitioned to toddler beds, it introduced a fresh set of challenges. I delayed this move for as long as possible, as their cribs were starting to feel cramped, but I was apprehensive about the change. The major issue with toddler beds is that they can easily get out of bed when they’re not quite ready for sleep. And indeed, that’s exactly what my kids did.

We would tenderly tuck them in, read stories, and give them kisses. Yet, just 10 minutes later, we would hear the sound of their little feet racing down the stairs. We attempted various strategies to manage this. Our initial patience and understanding quickly turned to frustration and weariness. I resorted to crying, bribery, yelling, sitting outside their doors, threatening to confiscate toys, and even suggesting candy for breakfast, but none of these tactics proved effective.

Now that my children are aged 5 and 7, bedtime can still feel like a challenge. Over the years, I’ve discovered some straightforward strategies that help us maintain our sanity during the nightly routine. Continue reading for some of my top toddler sleep hacks, along with insights from professionals!

1. Watch for the overtired child

We’ve learned that an earlier bedtime works best for our kids. In their younger days, this meant settling them down between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Now, we aim to have them in bed by 8 p.m. On special occasions, such as holidays or family gatherings, when they stay up late, I notice that it becomes significantly harder to get them to sleep.

2. Avoid being their prop

My son needs his special blanket to sleep, and my daughter relies on her beloved stuffed dog, “woo-woo,” to settle down. For a significant period, they depended on my presence as well. I would lie beside each of them on the floor until they were almost asleep, which was clearly not a viable long-term solution.

I began to gradually cut back the time spent lying with them by five minutes each night. Nowadays, I still snuggle with them for a brief five minutes, asking about their favorite part of the day. This time also allows them to share any thoughts weighing on their minds. However, once I say goodnight and step outside, they are aware (for the most part) that staying in bed is a must.

3. Be open to compromise

This approach works wonders for my kids. When they come out of their rooms feeling restless or unable to sleep, I reassured them, “You don’t have to sleep, but you need to stay in your room.” Sometimes we negotiate playtime, and I’ll set a timer on Alexa. I might say, “You can play in your room for 20 minutes, but when the timer goes off, it’s time to turn off your lights and go to bed.” Once Alexa’s timer signals the end of playtime, I can count on them returning to bed—thank you, Alexa!

4. Establish a calming routine

According to parenting coach Lindsay Ford, incorporating meditation can be an excellent way to help children shift their mindset towards relaxation and rest before bedtime. “Using a meditation app can effectively lull your child to sleep through calming bedtime stories,” she advises. “There are also wonderful children’s meditation books that present open-ended bedtime tales focused on serene and dream-like themes.”

When my son is feeling fidgety and struggles to relax, I gently guide him through the process of releasing tension, encouraging him to imagine himself sinking into a plush bed made of clouds. He truly enjoys this and often requests “calming words” on nights when he has trouble falling asleep.

If your child could benefit from something beyond calming words and visualization, I recommend trying Oilogic’s collection of sleep products to enhance a relaxing nighttime routine. With nearly 200 favorable reviews from parents, this four-step system…

This set features child-friendly products infused with essential oils designed to help young ones relax before bedtime. I usually begin my toddlers’ nighttime routine with a bath, utilizing Oilogic’s 3-in-1 All Over Wash. The combination of warm water and soothing essential oil aromas certainly aids in winding them down and preparing their minds for sleep.

Following the bath, I apply the Calming Cream to moisturize my children’s delicate skin while soothing their senses. As we transition to their bedrooms, I lightly mist their pillowcases with Oilogic Linen Mist and apply the hassle-free Vapor Chest Rub, leaving them with a lingering, comforting lavender fragrance as they drift into slumber.

5. Implement Consequences

I’ve taken a strong stance on establishing and adhering to consequences. In the past, I often failed to follow through on consequences I implemented, leading my children to disregard my warnings over time.

Now, when I specify no TV or tablets the next day if they don’t stay in bed, I follow through. It may feel somewhat harsh to remove something they love, but it’s essential to create clear boundaries and expectations. As an adult, I recognize the critical nature of sleep for their developing bodies and understand that I must prioritize this for them—even when they resist.