3 Toddler Bedtime Tips to Remember!

Judy More, Paediatric Dietitian and Registered Nutritionist

 

Getting toddlers to go to sleep can often be one of the more stressful parts of the day. The Infant & Toddler Forum is here to help with our toddler bedtime tips!

Toddlers ideally need about twelve hours of sleep a day, which will give them the best chance for healthy development and growth. As anyone with a sleep deprived toddler would surely agree, getting enough sleep can also make for a much happier child! Sleeping for the recommended time can improve their behaviour in different ways, making them better eaters, for example, as toddlers do not eat well if they become overtired. To avoid this, and help make bedtime stress free, here are our top 3 toddler bedtime tips!

  1. Tired toddler? Try a regular routine!
    All parents know that it can be difficult at times to get children settled and ready for bed! A regular bedtime routine is a really important part of avoiding a sleep deprived toddler! TV and other screen time, such as on tablets, should be limited to just 1 hour a day, and especially in the period just before bedtime.
  1. Keep your little one moving!
    Toddlers will sleep better after an active day! The Department of Health recommends that toddlers should be physically active for at least 3 hours a day if they can, which is about a quarter of the time that they are awake. It is completely fine for these hours to be made up of short bursts of activity spread out over the whole day, and for this activity to be very energetic or at a gentler pace!
  1. Think cups not bottles
    Although toddlers may find comfort in a bottle of milk in bed at night, it is best to not give drinks in a bottle, as they can become difficult to give up at a later date. Offering a cup of milk before cleaning their teeth and a bedtime story when they are in bed is the best alternative!

If you liked our list of toddler bedtime tips be sure to share them with friends and family!

For more tips on encouraging a healthy routine for your toddler, visit our Ten Steps for Healthy Toddlers

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Further Reading

  • Judy More, Paediatric Dietitian and Registered Nutritionist Lucy Upton, Specialist Paediatric Dietitian and Nutritionist   Have a healthy Easter with The Infant & Toddler Forum’s suggested menu for toddlers!
  • Lucy Upton, Specialist Paediatric Dietitian and Nutritionist   Why is salt important for my toddler’s diet? Sodium, which is in salt, is important for healthy muscle, stomach and nerve function as well as being an essential component in the blood. Children need some sodium to grow.
  • Lucy Upton, Specialist Paediatric Dietitian and Nutritionist   Although the number of people in the UK forced to turn to food banks has been on the rise for a number of years now, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the already worrying situation even further. Data gathered by the Trussell Trust shows that there was a 47% increase in the number of people relying on foodbanks during the first six months of the pandemic compared to the same period last year. It seems families with children have been hardest hit with 2,600 food parcels being provided for children every day.