Ideas to help get your toddler to sleep

As your toddler gets older, their sleeping habits will start to change. Maybe that two-hour nap in the afternoon is stopping them from sleeping at night now? If that's the case, try bringing their afternoon nap forward or even reducing it to one hour? It might be trial and error until you find the right balance.

If they're getting grizzly, you can still get a bit of time to relax in during your day. Put on some soft music and slow the pace down a bit to signal rest time.

We know what a pain it can be when you don't get that time to yourself if they've dropped that long nap! Even if they don't sleep during the day, some quiet time after lunch should help to relax and recharge those batteries.

Your child’s development: Quiet activities like reading stories or singing songs can help them (and you) still get a bit of downtime and rest. Nursery songs are good as the repetition soothes them, and also helps them learn words.

Tips for babies: Sing close to your baby's face and do the actions - it helps them learn the words.
Tips for toddlers: Sing slowly so they can sing along with you.
Tips for 3 - 4 year olds: Put a teddy on a blanket and rock them slowly to sleep while you sing it together.

Here are more free songs your toddlers will love from the Scottish Book Trust.

If your toddler's dropped all their naps and you used to use the time to get your chores done, your toddler may be able to help you with a few of them, like matching socks. It may take a bit longer, but by making it into a game, you can get things done and still spend time with your wee one. Here are some ideas for games to play to get them to help.

Your child’s development: Giving your child chores as they grow up, even little things like helping you match socks, teaches them things like responsibility and how to stick at things.

Toddlers generally need a daytime nap or two. It's not an exact science, but:

• A one-year-old needs about an hour in the morning and the afternoon.
• A 2-year-old usually needs an hour or so in the afternoon.
• By the age of 3, most children are fine with a short nap in the afternoon or none at all.
• Some children drop all naps quite a bit before they're 3. Try playing a soothing song to signal the start of nap time, so they know what comes next.

If you do the same things before bedtime, it helps your little one to settle to sleep a bit better. So follow bathtime with quiet play with their soft toys, a story, and then a big cuddle. Your wee one will soon learn that beddy-byes comes next.

Your child’s development: Young children need to practise going to sleep. A routine helps their body "learn" it's time to fall asleep now. Reading stories and cuddling makes them feel safe and secure, which helps them to drift off.

Have you thought about taking your toddler out to get their own bedding for their 'big boy or girl bed'? Just getting them involved in choosing can make a bed more special, and bedtime a little easier. Oh, and if the bedding has characters on it, you can both wish them all goodnight before going to sleep. Night night bumble bee…

Your child’s development: Some toddlers have a bit of trouble "graduating" to their "big bed". It might be because they don't like the change. It could also be because they're going through the normal part of growing up where their imagination is getting better – which means nightmares are starting. Here are some tips for help with little ones who might be afraid of the dark.

Getting out and about during the day can help your little one sleep at night. It could even be just a walk to get some fresh air – which is good for both of you. When you're outside, talk about what you see. Can you see the trees? What colour is the bus?

If your little one doesn’t like the dark, a night-light can really help them feel secure. The light will also prevent you from tripping over toys as you tiptoe from their room!

It might seem daft when you are just a room or two away, but bedtime can be a time of worry for children as you say goodbye for the night. Going back to more babyish behaviours is quite normal at times of stress so please don’t worry if they regress a little. A soothing bedtime routine always helps, like a milky drink, a bath and a bedtime story.

If you’re worried about your child’s sleep, keep a diary to get an accurate picture of their sleep patterns. This will help you find possible reasons why they are having difficulties. If you have any concerns you can chat with your health visitor, who is there to help.