BEATING BEDTIME BATTLES 2
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Temper tantrums part 2
Temper tantrums part 3
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.
The Relax Kids CD's are a lovely way to end your child day. If she or he listens to a CD each evening, prior to going to bed or when they are tucked up in bed, the music and vocals will help them to relax and your child will be sound asleep before you know it! View CD's
