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Child sleep: Put preschool bedtime problems to rest
Bedtime shouldn't be a battle. Consider common preschool bedtime problems — and what to do about them. The result may be a good night's sleep for the entire family.
By Mayo Clinic staffYou're past middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes, but a good night's sleep is still elusive. Maybe bedtime has turned into a battle of wills, or you're struggling to get your preschooler to stay in his or her bed all night. Worse yet, these bedtime battles may be leaving your child tired and cranky during the day. Consider these simple strategies to put the most common bedtime problems to rest — starting tonight!
The problem: Bedtime is chaotic
The scenario: Your days and nights are booked. You often feel rushed when you put your child to bed.
The solution: Even if you need to rearrange your schedule, it's important to make bedtime a priority. A predictable, calming bedtime routine is often the key to a good night's sleep.
What's in the bedtime routine is up to you. You might give your child a warm bath, brush his or her teeth, read a few stories and say bedtime prayers. Each night, you might praise your child for a specific accomplishment or describe something that makes you proud of your child. If you play bedtime music, play the same songs every night. Then tuck your child snugly into bed and say good night. Experiment to find what works best for you — but once you settle on a routine, follow the same sequence of events at the same time and in the same order every night.
The problem: Your child doesn't want to go to bed
The scenario: It's bedtime, but your child fusses about going to sleep because he or she doesn't want to miss anything.
The solution: If your child can hear talking, laughing, or sounds from the computer or TV, it's easy to see how he or she would feel left out. To ease the transition to bedtime, keep things quiet during the last hour before bedtime. Put away noisy games and toys. Turn off the TV, computer and video games. Dim the lights. Limit the entire family to quiet activities, such as reading books or doing puzzles. Sleep may be more appealing if everyone slows down before bedtime.
The problem: Your child won't fall asleep alone
The scenario: Your child begs you to stay in the room until he or she falls asleep.
The solution: To encourage your child to fall asleep alone, help him or her feel secure. Start with a calming bedtime routine. Then make sure your child has a favorite comfort object, such as a stuffed animal or blanket, for company. If your child is afraid of the dark, turn on a night light or leave the bedroom door open.
If your child continues to resist, you might promise to check on your child every 10 minutes until he or she falls asleep. During these checkups, praise your child for being so quiet and staying in bed. Remember that you're helping your child learn to fall asleep alone. If you give in and climb into bed with your child, that's what your child will remember — and probably expect the next night.
Next page(1 of 2)
- Children and sleep. National Sleep Foundation. http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/children-and-sleep. Accessed June 22, 2009.
- Parenting corner Q&A: Sleep problems. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/publiced/BR_Sleep.htm. Accessed June 22, 2009.
- Paavonen EJ, et al. Sleep quality, duration and behavioral symptoms among 5-6-year-old children. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 2009. In press. Accessed June 22, 2009.
- Mindell JA, et al. Developmental aspects of sleep hygiene: Findings from the 2004 National Sleep Foundation Sleep in America Poll. Sleep Medicine. 2009;10:771.
- Splaingard ML. Sleep disturbances. In: McInerny TK, et al. American Academy of Pediatrics Textbook of Pediatric Care. Elk Grove Village, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2009:1294.
