Your toddler’s naptime is not only important for your little one’s growth, but can also create a welcome break for you as a parent. Here are some great tips to help settle your toddler for their naptime:
How much sleep?
According to most experts, toddlers need up to 10 to 13 hours of sleep and this includes an afternoon nap. Some toddlers may even need two naps to help get them through a busy day.
Create a sleep schedule
As you probably know already, your little one thrives on consistency, so a sleep schedule is essential. A sleep schedule should include a specific bed time, wake up time and of course, naptime - this should help trigger your toddler’s natural body clock. Your toddler will feel more rested as a result of their sleep routine and it will make it easier for you to help them settle down in future. While it’s not always ideal, early afternoon is usually the best time for your toddler to have a nap.
Less is more
While we want to keep our little ones as warm as possible, it’s always a good idea to make sure that your little one’s blankets aren’t too heavy, and to avoid thick pyjamas too. If your toddler is overheated, it will wake them up and disturb their naptime.
Create a calming atmosphere
Not only will this will help your little one get some sleep, it will also make them more aware that it’s naptime. You can create a calming atmosphere for your little one by: turning off the lights, closing the window shades, turning off the TV or even playing quiet music in the background.
Comfort item
A comfort item can be a brilliant and often essential way of settling your little one down for a nap. This can vary each child - some children prefer a stuffed animal, while others love the comfort of a blanket. But most importantly, you need to make sure they don't lose their comfort item, as it may become impossible for them to settle down otherwise.
Even if your little one doesn’t nap after all that, an half an hour of rest can be just as good. Your little one could simply relax by watching their favourite programme for half an hour, or even just lying in bed for a little bit, can help them feel rested till their next scheduled sleep.
