Is your child sneaking into your bedroom in the middle of the night? Then you are not alone. One of the most challenging tasks as a mother is how to get kids to sleep in their beds at a reasonable time.
There are many benefits of getting your child to sleep in their bed. Not only does it allow them to get the rest they need, but it also gives them more time for growth and development in the long term.
It was a real struggle for me; my son sneaks into our bedroom in the middle of the night; he would have his blanket in his hand, then crawl into the middle of the bed.
He fell asleep quite quickly and rolled around in his sleep. It was a nightmare for us because his head on me and feet on my husband was very uncomfortable for us to have a peaceful sleep.
This nighttime visit becomes more frequent, and even if my husband walks silently to take him to his room, he continues coming back to our bed.
There’s no magic trick to help our kids sleep in their beds; all you need is to be ready and committed and create a helpful routine.
” Good habits take time and consistency to establish “
says Reshma Amin
How To Get Kids To Sleep In Their Beds
Teach your child how to fall asleep
Do you stay in your child’s bed and cuddle them until they fall asleep?
You probably haven’t heard this before, but it may be why your child cannot sleep through the night. When they wake up, they feel something is missing and might need you there because they think you’re required for their independence.
One of the ways we can help our kids fall asleep independently at the beginning of the night is with the “chair method” – a popular sleep training technique for infants and bigger kids.
There are many ways to teach your baby to fall asleep on its own. Whichever method you choose, the first is to sit with them until they naturally drift off.
Once they are sleeping, move the bedside chair away from the side of the bed and move it around your room over a few days. Eventually, place them outside of their room completely.
Establish a Healthy Bedtime Routine
One of the most important things you can do when getting your kids to sleep in their bed is to create a routine. A routine creates a sense of order when children are struggling with transitions.
A good bedtime routine helps children feel at peace by reassuring them and will create positive emotions in them. It includes something calming like a bath or quiet time with the family.
Do calm activities before sleeping.
When it comes to calming down your child before bedtime, one of the most effective things you can do is tell them a story. Stories are much more powerful than explanations and always make kids feel secure and loved.
So if you want your kids to sleep better in their bed, make sure you tell them a story at least once before they go to bed.
It can also be done by limiting the amount of noise in the house after 8 pm, turning off all screens an hour before bed, and using a soothing lullaby.
Take It One Step at a Time
It all starts with understanding what could be keeping your child from falling asleep in their bed. It might be fears, worries, parents’ work schedules, or a lack of parental presence.
Whatever the reason may be, you can help your child by taking a step at a time and helping them overcome their fears and worries one at a time.
If your son has been sleeping in your bed for a long time, you will probably need to help him make the transition to his bed.
For your child to become more independent, you may tell him he can sleep in your room but only on his mattress on the floor. Or, you may sleep in his room for some hours, and slowly with time, he will get used to it.
Arrange Your kid’s bedroom.
Arranging your kid’s bedroom before telling him to sleep in his bed is a good idea. Every child has a different taste; while some kids may enjoy white noise and night light, others may want a stuffed animal, complete darkness, and silence.
You can create a calm environment conducive to sleep in any age group, not just toddlers.
Many factors influence a child’s sleeping pattern. The timing of a child’s night light can have a huge effect on whether or not they stay asleep for the night. For instance, if you place your child’s bedside lamp at least six feet from their bed, they will likely sleep better.
Teach your kids what to do in case they wake up in the middle of the night
“We are making assumptions that the child knows how to do that,” we think of it as parents who suggests it might be unsafe for children to sleep on their bellies.
“Young children often tell themselves to do something, and the body obeys the soul at its discretion. They can motivate themselves and change their behavior and reaction with a phrase or mantra-like ‘It’s time for sleep, I close my eyes, I stay in bed.’”
Dealing With Crying
Toddlers are unpredictable…” full of emotion…”, there are very many emotions that can come up during this stage, which makes it difficult to predict what will happen next.
Although this is an extreme case, these types of responses are not uncommon in toddlers. As parents, it might be crucial to teach your child how to deal with challenging emotional situations.
Sometimes your kids may cry when you’re trying to break a sleep association. The important thing is being present, active, and responsive with them.
For all children, your actions speak louder than words. Letting them sleep with you nearby lets their development progress. Reinforce this by telling your toddler every night that you are just down the hall.
Deep down, you know your child is safe in their room and that crying will not change a thing.
Deal with anxiety issues
As parents, we face the challenge of getting our kids to sleep in their beds. It can be a frustrating and challenging process that we may not know how to deal with effectively. However, there are some things that we can do to help our kids get into a routine.
Some kids may seek the company of their parents because they feel worried about being alone in the dark, so help your child to conquer those fears.
First, parents need to create a peaceful and relaxing environment when they go to sleep at night. It creates a barrier between the bedtime routine and the outside world. We recommend using ambient sounds such as rainfall or waterfalls in the background when children fall asleep.
Parents should also try to keep their bedroom cool by closing any window or door that lets in unwanted noise. To ensure that the experience is less scary and more calming, parents should provide children with all supplies.
Remain Calm but Persistent
If your toddler gett off of his bed and follows you out of their room, try sitting on the floor or sitting in a chair in his room.
If you feel like your kids are struggling to fall asleep, get close to their bed so they can physically see you and so you don’t have to exert too much effort.
You should not allow your child to sit in your lap or be out of the bed. You only need to say “stay in bed” once and make sure any other time they appear near the edge of the bed, you inform them that they are not allowed to come out.
Don’t talk to them when they’re sleeping; just wait until it’s safe. They often wake up for a short while then fall back asleep. Just don’t get on their bed or the floor next to it, even if you feel tempted.
The very first time you put your child in their bed, they will likely cry and wail for hours. It’s your job to remain calm and persistent when anything goes wrong because this will help your child learn that crying doesn’t work.
Conclusions:
Child sleep is a universal problem that many parents are facing. There are many methods to the solution of this issue, but not all methods will work for every family or child. With some help and assistance, it is easier to create a bedtime routine that will benefit the whole family.
One of the most important aspects of raising a child is getting them to sleep in their beds at night and it starts since they are babies. This is can become a problem for younger children who will need to learn to establish good sleeping habits when they grow up.
Parents should remember that any change in their child’s behavior can have long-lasting effects on their health and well-being.
Hoping that these tips will help you to get your kids to sleep in their bedroom so that you can have a good night’s sleep also.
Follow us on Pinterest for more Parenting Hacks
