printAvoiding Bedtime Battles

Sleep is a vital need, essential to a child's health and growth. Sleep promotes alertness, memory and performance. Children who get enough sleep are more likely to function better and are less prone to behavioral problems and moodiness. That is why it is important for parents to start early and help their children develop good sleep habits.

Toddlers (1-3 years) need about 12-14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. Many toddlers experience sleep problems including resisting going to bed and nighttime awakenings. Nighttime fears and nightmares are also common.

Many factors can lead to sleep problems.
Toddlers' drive for independence and an increase in their motor, cognitive and social abilities can interfere with sleep. In addition, their ability to get out of bed, separation anxiety, the need for autonomy and the development of the child's imagination can lead to sleep problems. Daytime sleepiness and behavior problems may signal poor sleep or a sleep problem.

Here's a look at ways to help your child overcome his or her sleep problems:

Make bedtime the same time every night. Bedtime should be a positive and relaxing experience without TV, videos or DVDs. According to one recent study, TV viewing prior to bed can lead to difficulty falling and staying asleep. Save your child's favorite relaxing, nonstimulating activities until last and have them occur in the child's bedroom.

Encourage your child to fall asleep on his or her own. Have your child form positive associations with sleeping. A child should not need a parent to help him or her fall asleep. One recent study demonstrated that having your child sleep in your bed puts them at risk for suffocation or strangulation. The child who falls asleep on his or her own will be better able to return to sleep during normal nighttime awakenings and sleep throughout the night.

Discourage nighttime awakenings. When you go to your child's room every time he or she wakes during the night, you are strengthening the connection between you and sleep for your child. Even babies who are held and cuddled when they wake in the middle of the night soon learn to expect this and do not learn to go back to sleep on their own. Except during conditions when the child is sick, has been injured or clearly requires your assistance, it is important to give your child a consistent message that he or she is expected to fall asleep on his or her own.

Help your child develop a nightly routine. A bedtime ritual makes it easier for your child to relax, fall asleep and sleep through the night. This is a good example of a routine you might want to help your child develop:

1. Have a light snack
2. Take a bath
3. Put on pajamas
4. Brush teeth
5. Read a story
6. Make sure the room is quiet and at a comfortable temperature
7. Put your child to bed
8. Say good night and leave