Kids' Bedtime Routines That Really Work!
Ever have one of those nights when you feel you've tried everything to get your kid to sleep? Whether you've got a baby who doesn't seem to want to rest, a toddler who refuses to get into bed or a preschooler with the negotiating skills of a litigator, these proven tips from iVillage moms can help you streamline your bedtime.
More from iVillage.ca:
- 10 Coping Strategies for Sleepless Nights
- Need More Rest, Mama? Proven Ways to Help Baby Sleep Through the Night
- Out the Door, On Time! 12 Strategies for Speeding Up Your Mornings
- How to Avoid Embarrassing Moments in Public with Your Kids
- Back to School Countdown: Make the Last Days of Summer Count!
Sing a Song
"My best tip is to sing, 'The Ants Go Marching.' Something about the rhythmic repetition would calm my son right to sleep. We had a nightly bedtime routine with our son, which included two short stories and some snuggling. Then we'd put him in the crib, and pat his back to the song 'Ants Go Marching' and by the time we went from 'One by One' to 'Ten by Ten,' he'd be asleep. Now that his little sister is 9-months-old, we use the same technique with her." -- Patricia, Jersey City, NJ
Turn on the White Noise
"Introduce a sound machine from the beginning. The white noise will become something they quickly associate with the sound of sleep. Both of my kids have used them since Day One. The best part is you can take them anywhere so even a hotel has the same comforting sounds that their own bedroom provides for a good nights sleep." -- Kim, Rogers, AR
Give a Bedtime Snack
"We eat dinner kind of early so we always do a snack before brushing their teeth to make sure they aren't too hungry as they fall asleep." -- Kerum, Spring Lake, NC
It's All About Comfort
"I have a 7-month-old. While my advice of rocking, pacifier and nursing may not be very original, it works! When he's cranky and sleepy but won't sleep on his own, I just nurse him. It knocks him out." -- Lynn, Los Angeles, CA
Use Blackout Blinds
"Alaska summers are known for their midnight sun so throughout the summer I let my kids' sleep patterns kind of go to the wayside. We get to enjoy nearly 24 hours of light. However, this becomes a problem once school starts back up. The sun still does not go down til midnight and convincing your children that they need to be in bed by 8:30pm, when the sun is shining is extremely difficult. So first off, I wear them out. Then I stick to a strict routine, cut off electronics and use blackout blinds. It's a lot of work, but it works!" -- LaVon, Eagle River, AK
Time Naps Right
"For us, making sure our son wasn't overly tired was key. Naptime was so important. It seems counterintuitive but for us, the better the nap, the easier he went to sleep at bedtime! Just finding a routine that works for your children and family is important...not stressing yourself out trying to do what all the books tell you!" -- Mitzi, Fayetteville, AR
Never Let Them Stand Up
"Sit with them and get them comfortable enough to fall asleep on you. When they fall asleep, getting them into the crib can be tricky because they always seem to wake up between leaving your arms and laying in the crib. If they start to wake up, I just rub their backs and don't allow them to go through to process of standing up because when they do, they'll really wake up and you have to start the process all over again!" -- Dinley, Pembroke Pines, FL
Turn Off the Screen
"I make sure my daugther's eyes have been off-screen for at least an hour before bed and the lights are low. I usually read to her. Then we have a little chat session so she can get anything off her chest that might otherwise keep her awake." -- Shannon, Bentonville, AR
Trick Them Into Sleep With Exercise
"I run my boy like a dog. Exercise disguised as adventure. For example, a hike becomes, "Do you want to climb a mountain?" or a bike ride becomes, "Let's have a beach bike adventure!" It's all in the sell. Then bedtime is a breeze because he has gotten ALL his yayas out." -- Diane, Los Angeles, CA
Stick to a Routine
"I have three kids, and the absolute best tip I have is to make a schedule and stick to it. Most children thrive on routine, so every night around the same time after a healthy dinner, give your kids a bath, put on their jammies, read a story, then it's bedtime. All 3 of my kids are wonderful sleepers and I'm a happy mama!" -- Amy, Fayetteville, AR
Hold on
"I am sure 'still holding your toddler to sleep at 21 months' is not the ideal method, but it works for us. My daughter is actually starting to sleep the entire night in her bed 90 percent of the time. So, we are getting good results, even though we do nothing the way we are supposed to." -- Margo, St. Louis, MO
Make a Preemptive Strike
"I meet my kids in their room at bedtime with everything they'll holler for. Water? Rag? Extra blanket? Tomorrow's lunch menu? I have it ready so that when I leave the room, there's nothing they have to ask for." -- Heather, Bartlesville, OK
Turn on the Music
"We started playing instrumental music for my daughter when she was an infant. She's five now, and won't go to sleep without her 'music' on. It's only tricky when we travel!" -- Rhonda, Springdale, AR
Don't Forget Ducky!
"Our tricks have always been to keep our kids active during the day, make sure they get their sippy cups of water next to their bed, and for the love of all that is sacred and holy do NOT forget their plushy sidekicks that they carry with them 24/7. We once forgot Ducky and had to have her over-nighted. Some think that is too far, but the night before Ducky arrived it was like my daughter was hopped up on coffee and No Doze." -- Jasmine, Siloam Springs, AR
Be Bossy
"Getting kids to go to sleep is not an issue at my house. I am the boss. When I say go to sleep, they go to sleep. No threats, no bribes. I'm the mom." -- Kris
Connect with iVillage.ca:
