Sleep training can be a highly debated topic among parents, but when approached with empathy and understanding, it can provide substantial benefits for both you and your child. If you’ve been struggling with sleepless nights and endless battles to get your toddler to sleep, implementing a sleep training routine might just be the lifesaver you need. Here are five benefits of sleep training your toddler that could transform those trying late nights into a restful, dream-filled sanctuary, along with some practical steps to get you started.
1.The Importance of Establishing a Routine
A key benefit of sleep training is the establishment of a consistent bedtime routine for your toddler. Toddlers thrive on predictability and structure, and knowing what to expect can significantly reduce their anxiety during bedtime. This can mean fewer tantrums and less resistance when it’s time to hit the sack. As a parent, having a set routine can make your evenings more manageable and less chaotic. Even the simple acts of a relaxing bath, reading a bedtime story with dim lights, and a few minutes of a silent backrub will signal it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep.
How to Establish a Routine
Consistency is Key
Select a bedtime and stick to it every day, even on weekends. If your child attends school where they nap, use the same timing for nap at home.
Wind Down Time
Start a calming pre-sleep activity 30 minutes before bed, like a warm bath with relaxing music and a gentle massage.
Create a Sleep-Inducing Environment
Ensure the room is dark, cool, and quiet. A white noise machine and blackout curtains are usually needed.
2.Teaching Independence and Self-Soothing Skills
An often-overlooked benefit of sleep training is the development of independence and self-soothing skills in your toddler. Teaching your child to fall asleep independently and return to sleep without external help (like rocking, feeding, or needing a parent to lie down with them) fosters self-reliance and sleeping through the night, and can positively influence your toddler’s behavior during the day. When a toddler learns to self-soothe, they can handle small frustrations more effectively and can be more content when playing alone or engaging in tasks without immediate adult intervention.
How to Foster Independence
Practice Makes Perfect
Give your child time during the day to complete tasks independently like using the restroom or playing.
Comfort Objects
Introduce a soft toy or blanket that your child can use for comfort.
Empower with Choices
Let your toddler choose their pajamas and bedtime story before bath to give them a sense of control.
3. Improved Sleep Quality for Everyone
One of the most significant benefits of sleep training is improved sleep quality for both your toddler and you. By encouraging longer, more consistent sleep stretches, you’re helping your child’s developing brain and body to function optimally. Restorative sleep is essential for cognitive, physical, and emotional development. Better sleep also means a happier, more well-behaved toddler. Did you know that your toddler needs 11-12 hours of uninterrupted sleep as well as a nap? For parents, better sleep can drastically improve mental and physical health. When you are not constantly being woken up throughout the night, you’ll find you have more patience, energy, and a positive outlook to handle the challenges of parenting.
How to Improve Sleep Quality
It’s all in the Timing
A 5 hour gap between nap and bedtime lights out is the ideal timing for your toddler’s sleep. Typically a bedtime lights out between 7-730pm is ideal. If your child is between age 2-2.5, limit nap to be 2.5 hours in length until they are easily sleeping through the night.
Set Up the Room
Make sure your toddler’s room is conducive to sleep with a comfortable mattress, ideal room temperature, and minimal noise.
4. Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Constant nighttime interruptions can lead to chronic stress and anxiety for children and parents. Concerns about your toddler’s sleep patterns and their inevitable impact on your daily life can become overwhelming. Your toddler can struggle with separation and anxiety when sleep is unpredictable and they are not getting the full amount of hours necessary for recovery. Sleep training offers a structured approach to tackling these problems, reducing the overall stress levels in your household. The clarity and consistency that come with a sleep training routine can eliminate much of the uncertainty surrounding your toddler’s sleep, allowing you to approach each night with confidence and peace of mind. This reduced stress not only benefits your relationship with your child but also with your partner, creating a more harmonious family dynamic.
How to Reduce Sleep Anxiety
Predictability
Create a clear and consistent routine so your child knows exactly what to expect each night. When there is no guesswork for you and your child, there is less anxiety!
Sleep Schedule
Ensure you and your toddler get enough sleep- when you both are operating with the amount of hours your brain and body need, you will have less stress and your body will be working optimally.
5. Confidence in Your Child
Another substantial benefit of sleep training is the boost in confidence it can instill in your toddler. Developing the ability to fall asleep independently empowers your child and enhances their sense of security and trust in their own abilities. As they learn that they can handle the transition to sleep on their own, their self-esteem grows, translating into other areas of life. Confidence in facing bedtime can lead to greater resilience in everyday tasks, making them more willing to tackle new challenges and experiences with a positive mindset.
How to Build Confidence With Sleep
Celebrate Success
Celebrate your child every morning for staying in bed and falling asleep without help. Share with family and friends and celebrate progress.
Model Calm Behavior
Young children often emulate their parents. Model a calm demeanor during bedtime to provide an example for them to follow.
Practice Makes Perfect
Your child might take a few days to master the skill of falling asleep independently and easily, but give them the chance to practice and succeed. When you have confidence they can do something, they will gain confidence too!
In conclusion, sleep training your toddler provides multiple benefits that extend beyond merely achieving a sound night’s sleep. It’s about establishing a reliable routine, fostering independence and self-soothing, improving sleep quality for both child and parent, enhancing daytime bonding, and reducing stress for parents. Remember, every child is unique, and what works for one child may not work for another. Be patient and compassionate, and seek professional advice if needed to find the best approach for your family.
Whether you decide to try controlled comforting, the Ferber method, or another sleep training technique, consistency, and patience will be your best allies. And soon enough, both you and your toddler will be enjoying the benefits of restful, restorative sleep.
About the author:
This article was written by Jenie Boone, Founder and CEO of Tiny Duck Parenting. Jennie specializes in teaching toddlers and children to learn to sleep independently and through the night with her premier program, The Week to Sleep. Armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Adolescent Development, Jennie’s journey with toddler sleep began when she encountered a family struggling with a toddler’s bedtime woes. Seeing a gap in resources for toddlers, she became a certified sleep consultant and developed the Week to Sleep specifically tailored for toddlers in open beds. Her expertise has won her recognition on platforms like Mommy Mingle, Parentville, buybuybaby and the Google Employee Resource Group. Jennie’s mission is to simplify bedtime routines and promote healthy sleep habits for children, fostering their optimal development.