How do I get my 18 mo old son to go to bed at a descent time?
Answer:
Repitition, repitition, repitition. I know it is absolutlely exhaustin, especially until they are on board with it, but truthfully, do this.
You may have to move the following up about an hour for the first few days if he is staying up this late, so start the first step at about 7pm this week and then after a week go to 6pm.
Have your last meal of the night no later than 6pm. Do quiet play or books until about 6:30pm. Give him either a light snack, or abottle if he still drinks one. Give him a bath. Do some sort of very calming interaction routine (lotion, mirror play, PJs, book) in his sleeping area for about 15 minutes after bath is over and then put him in his crib. Say goodnight gently, but shortly and leave.
It seems very robot-like after 2 weeks, but he will crave it night after night and will be asleep by 8pm at the latest in 3 weeks flat with no trouble at all.
Hope this helps. It worked like a charm with all of my subsequesnt kids. I sooooooooooooo wish I had known this for my first - who still is not a good sleeper and the others are out by 7:30pm until sunrise and they love their room, their beds and their sleep!
I JUST SLOWLY START PUTTING MY SON TO BED EARLIER LIKE ONE WEEK I PUT HIM TO BED AND HOUR EARLIER (GIVE NAPS EARLIER OF COURSE) AND IT JUST CONTINUED UNTIL IT GOT WHERE IT SEEMED RIGHT, MY SON IS NOW 22 MONTHS OLD AND GOES TO BED ANYWHERE BETWEEN 6.30 AND 830 PM
No kid ever wants to go to bed. At 18 months he should be going to bed between 7:30 and 8pm at night. Remember that kids need their sleep in a way that adults don't imagine.
It is really EASY and really hard to get them to bed. At 7, give him a bath, then get him dressed then read a book. I know I sound like every book and article out there, but there is a reason, it is the best way to let your child know it's time to go to bed.
Anyway. When you put your child to bed there is a 90% chance they are going to get up again. Don't complain, console, punish, ect. Just pick your child up and put him back in the bed. Say "it is time for little boys to be in bed" Only say that the first time he gets up! After that do not talk or give any response at all except to place your son back into bed. If he is crying and screaming like he is dying, don't fall for it. If he is coming and putting his arms around your neck and giving you kisses or cute faces. don't fall for it.
Your child needs his sleep more then he needs for you to 'comfort' him right now. Just put him back and put him back over and over. It will take a while the first couple of nights that you do it. Heck, it may take the entire night, especially if he is used to going to sleep with you or in front of the TV, but it is better to tackle this situation now then later, so go for it.
keep the little tot busy during the day. If he's had a full & exciting day, he should pass out on his own once the sun sets. If he's a livewire upon sunset, wear him out--do whatever gets him excited: play those baby-games with him, get him all giddy with excitement, make him laugh his baby butt off.. that worked for 3 of my 5 kids. Good luck, I'm quite certain my advice will help. If it does, tell me at taz7empire@yahoo.com
Keep putting him to bed at a time you think is reasonable. There will be tears and tantrums but persist with. Eventually he'll start to adjust to it and will be easier on you.
DEAR THIS IS WHAT YOU DO TO GET HIM TO GO TO BED IS THESE THREE STEPS OK (1) FIRST GIVE HIM A BUBBLE BATH AND LET HIM PLAY DO NOT LET HIM OUT OF YOU SIGHT OK YOU MIGHT HAVE TO GET IN THERE WITH HIM. (2) GET HIM A BLANKET TEDDY BEAR STUFFED TOY OF HIS CHOICE AND A BABY PILLOW PUT HIM IN THE BED WITH YOU AND TELL HIM IT IS NIGHT TIME (3) IF HE WANTS TO SUCK HIS THUMB LET HIM DO NOT SAY NO AND KEEP THIS IN MIND WITCH EVERY ONE HE SUCKS HE WILL WRITE WITH THE OTHER ONE IF THE RIGHT HE WILL BE LEFT HANDED IF THE LEFT IT WILL BE THE RIGHT ONE AND DO NOT LET THE DOCTOR AND DENTIST SAY TO PUT A PLATE IN TO STOP THE SUCKING HI TEETH CAN ALWAYS BE FIXED OK.
I have no idea, my 19 month old went to bed at 4:30am. I think some toddlers are just impossible and have their own mind!
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