Welcoming a new baby into your family is a momentous occasion filled with joy, anticipation, and maybe just a bit of anxiety. If you are promoting your toddler to a big sibling, you might be considering how to sleep train your toddler before the new baby arrives, or, you might be wondering if sleep training your toddler is the right move before the new sibling’s arrival. Establishing a healthy sleep routine for your toddler will not only make the transition smoother for the family but also ensure you get the right amount of rest to juggle the needs of both your toddler and the newborn. Ideally, try to establish any bedtime changes 1-2+ months before baby arrives to make sure your toddler is comfortable and all changes are settled in. Here are five insightful tips to guide you through the process.
1. Establish a Consistent Bedtime Routine
A consistent bedtime routine is pivotal when it comes to sleep training your toddler. Toddlers thrive on routine, and knowing what to expect helps them feel more secure and ready for bed. Your bedtime routine might include a warm bath, reading a story, brushing teeth, and some cuddle time. When performed in the same order every night, these activities become sleep cues for your little one.
Pro Tip: Start this bedtime routine at least 30 minutes before you want your toddler to be asleep. Whether it’s a warm bath, storytime, or a relaxing lullaby, consistency helps signal to your toddler that it’s time for sleep. Stick to the same order of activities and try to keep bedtime at the same time each night so they know what to expect.
2. Create a Sleep-Inducing Environment
Your toddler’s sleep environment plays a significant role in their ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Make their bedroom conducive to sleep by ensuring it’s dark, quiet, and cool. Many parents find using a white noise machine helpful to drown out household noises and create a soothing background sound.
It’s also important to make sure their bed is comfortable and safe. Soft linens, toddler pillow, and a favorite stuffed animal can make bedtime a more inviting prospect.
Pro Tip: Take time to install backout blinds and curtains as your toddler will do much better with a very dark room.
3. Maintain a Predictable Daytime Schedule
Consistency doesn’t start at bedtime; it extends into the daytime as well. Having a predictable daytime schedule can help regulate your toddler’s internal clock. Ensure that they are getting sufficient physical activity during the day, balanced with some quiet time and nap.
A consistent daily routine helps your toddler differentiate between the active hours of the day and the restful hours of the night. It can also minimize instances of overtiredness, which can negatively impact your toddler’s sleep. Find a predictable time each day that you can give your toddler your full attention to connect and meet their needs, especially once baby comes. Continue to keep that special time with your toddler each day without the baby, even if it is 10-20 minutes a day. A new sibling is the best gift you can give your toddler, but they still will need some one-on-one attention from you each day.
Quick Tip:Keep an eye out for your toddler’s natural nap patterns and try to plan their nap at the same time each day. This consistency aids in securing a more predictable bedtime. If they nap at childcare, keep the timing for the days they nap at home the same.
4. Limit Screen Time Before Bed
In an age where tablets, smartphones, and TVs are ubiquitous, it’s crucial to monitor and limit your toddler’s exposure to screens before bedtime. The blue light emitted from screens can interfere with the production of melatonin, the sleep-inducing hormone, making it harder for your toddler to fall asleep.
Ideally, screens should be turned off at least one hour before bed. Instead of TV time, engage your toddler in calming activities such as reading, puzzles, or gentle play. Offer screen time while dinner is being prepped, then end screen time for the remainder of the night as dinner begins.
Helpful Suggestion: Create a “mini wind-down routine” away from screens. You can involve your toddler in setting up their room for the night – dimming the lights, choosing tomorrow’s outfit, or setting up their sleep companion. Offer a “spa-time” wind down the last 5 minutes of the bath to to your toddler what calm feels like. Use this time to relax, deep breathe, and start teaching the skill of relation. Keep the energy calm for the remainder of the bedtime routine.
5. Be Patient and Consistent
Sleep training is not an overnight miracle but a gradual process that requires patience and consistency. There will be nights that seem more challenging than others, and it’s important to stay calm and consistent with your approach. If you’re trying a particular sleep-training method, give it a full 10 days of being completely consistent to determine its effectiveness before hopping on to the next.
There might be tearful protest or bedtime resistance initially, but with consistent and gentle reassurance, your toddler will begin to adjust to their new sleep routine. This consistency with bedtime rules teaches your toddler that sleep time is non-negotiable.Remember, your toddler is a toddler, not a baby- so sleep training that works for a baby might not work for your toddler. Check out programming specifically designed for toddlers and open beds to ensure success.
Encouraging Note: Celebrate the small victories. If your toddler stays in bed an extra 5 minutes one night, that’s progress! Recognize and praise these little steps towards independent sleep.
Preparing for the New Baby
Sleep training your toddler is a significant step toward preparing for the new baby’s arrival. By ensuring your toddler has a reliable and predictable sleep schedule, you create a more serene household environment that can accommodate the newborn’s needs as well. Moreover, you as a parent will be better rested and therefore more equipped to handle the demands of a growing family.
Taking the time to implement and enforce these sleep training tips can benefit the entire family. A well-rested toddler is generally in a better mood and more adaptable to changes, making the transition to big brother or sister less daunting.
And finally, keep in mind that every child is different. What works for one toddler might not work for another, so be prepared to experiment and adapt as necessary. Trust your instincts as a parent, and don’t hesitate to seek advice from pediatricians or toddler sleep consultants if you find yourself struggling.
By investing time in your toddler’s sleep training now, you’re paving the way for a smoother, more restful transition once your new bundle of joy arrives.
Sweet dreams and sleep tight!
