Family Tips

In the age of 1 to 3 years, most toddlers sleep about 10 to 13 hours. But anxiety, or just the desire to be up with parents to not miss something interesting can cause long wake periods and problems with going to bed.
Note the evening time when your child begins to show sleepiness signs, and try establishing this time as his regular bedtime. And don’t force your 2- or 3-year-old child to nap during the day unless he looks sick and overly tired.
Very often parents make the mistake, when they think that keeping a child awake for longer time will make him sleepier for bedtime. In fact, overtired child has problems getting asleep. It is better to put baby to sleep before he gets overtired or overexcited.
Setting a bedtime routine helps kids relax and get ready for sleep. You may try calming activities such as reading, bathing, and listening to music. If it is possible, allow your toddler to make bedtime choices within the process: which pajamas to put on, which teddy bear to take to bed, what music to play. This gives your baby a sense of control over the process.
At this age active dreaming begins, and for very young children, dreams can be pretty alarming. Nightmares are particularly frightening to toddlers, who can’t distinguish imagination from reality. Calm down your child; let him talk about the dream if he wants to. Then encourage your child to go back to bed as soon as possible.