BEATING BEDTIME BATTLES 2

After you have established a calm bedtime routine, you can try these simple solutions.

My Child won’t go to bed

• Make sure that they get plenty of exercise during the day so that they are tired. On wet days turn up the music and dance!
• You may need to cut back of afternoon naps.

My Child can’t fall asleep on their own

• Give your child a T-shirt you have been wearing.  Your smell may reassure him.
• Let him take a special cuddly toy to bed.

My Child cries in the night

• Wait five minutes before going in - he may settle himself.
• Make visits brief and boring – don’t talk or cuddle your child.
• Don't switch on the lights unless you really need to.

My Child keeps calling out or getting up in the night

• Calmly take your child straight back to bed.
• Do not talk to your child except to say "Time for bed."
• Be persistent.
• >Leave the door open if it is reassuring.

My Child is scared of the dark

• Don’t dismiss his fears, talk about them.  Tell him how you felt with you were little.
• Reassure him that you are close by.
• Use a night-light.
• Give him a magic spray bottle (filled with water) to keep monsters away.

My Child has nightmares

• Reassure your child and give him a hug
• Hang a dream catcher up to catch the bad dreams.  If he still has nightmares explain that the dream catcher is full, have a ceremony to empty it.  Seal the dreams in a bag and throw them into the dustbin. 
• Is there anything going on that might be causing your child stress, such as a new baby or starting school?  If so, talk to him about it.

My child wakes wanting a drink of milk

• If your child is over six months old and eating well, wean them off milk at night by gradually diluting the milk with water, until you have plain water.
• Leave a beaker of water on their bedside table.
• Give them a healthy snack (no or low sugar) with their milk before bed.

My Child is an early riser

• Use blackout blinds to cut out the light.
• Cut back on afternoon nap.
• Put a few toys out for him to play with when he wakes.
• Try using a clock radio.  Tell him he can get up when it comes on.
  
  If you are having more persistent problems you will need to employ a sleep training technique.  Please contact us for more help and advice.