Your toddler needs sleep for his growth, development, and overall well-being. Sometimes, however, helping them fall asleep quickly can be a real challenge. Fortunately, you don’t have to resort to medications or other artificial sleep inducers for your toddler. Here are some very natural ways to get your toddler to sleep quicker and sleep well through the night. In this article, we take a look at four organic means to make bedtime a less traumatic task for you and your tiny toot. Let’s take a look.
1. Get Your Baby into a Bedtime Routine
One of the most effective natural solutions to make your toddler fall asleep fast is to establish a regular pattern of sleep. By regular pattern, it means that there should be a predictable sleeping schedule, and secondly, a bedtime routine where relaxing activities signal your toddler that it is time for them to gear down and sleep. A good sleeping routine, apart from relaxing your toddler, also paves the way for his healthy sleep pattern.
Bedtime Routine Steps:
- Bath Time: A warm bath is a soothing treat for your toddler. The warmth of the water relaxes his muscles, and the activity itself would have given him the feeling that bedtime is approaching.
- Story Time: Reading a bedtime story is a classic bedtime pre-sleep activity to help calm your child down. Choose books in which there is a tranquil story in a soft rhythm without anything exciting.
- Low Lights: Keep the lights low in your toddler’s room and cozy enough for them, because this will help with melatonin secretion-a sleeping hormone.
- Soft Music or Lullabies: Light soft music or lullabies would even further help your toddler sleep.
Consistency is key. Try to start and end the bedtime routine at the same time every night, even on weekends. This helps regulate your toddler’s internal clock and helps him go to sleep more easily.
2. Herbal Teas for Relaxation
Herbal teas are amongst those natural remedies which help your toddler unwind and prepare for sleep. Though you should choose just the right type of herbs because there are certain ones that are safe to be taken by your child. Some herbal teas can be effective in soothing your toddler’s mind and body before going to bed.
Safe Herbal Teas for Toddlers:
- Chamomile tea: Chamomile is known for its soothing and calm nature. This herb reduces anxiety, thus keeping your toddler relaxed, which may help your toddler fall asleep.
- Lavender tea: Lavender, similar to chamomile, is widely recognized due to the sleep-conducive properties it has. A weak and highly diluted amount of lavender tea can be given to your toddler before bedtime.
How to Prepare Herbal Tea for Your Toddler:
The brewing should be done in boiling water; it should, however, be well diluted, not too strong.
Let the tea cool to lukewarm before letting your toddler have it.
You might want to add a bit of honey to sweeten the tea, if necessary (in cases of children above one year old).
Herbal teas are best used in moderation, and it is always a great idea to consult your pediatrician before adding any new remedies into the world of your toddler.
3. Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
Aromatherapy can be an organic remedy that is used to dissolve stresses with essential oils, which eventually help in improving sleep for the individual. There are certain essential oils that have a natural calming effect on your toddler to go to sleep sooner. If correctly conducted, this method may turn out to be non-harmful and effective in creating a bedtime atmosphere.
Best Essential Oils for Toddler Sleep:
- Lavender Oil: Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils when it comes to sleep. The soothing aroma will soothe your toddler’s mind and body, letting him drift off into sleep with ease.
- Roman Chamomile: Roman Chamomile is an indispensable natural remedy; with its gentle and calming effect on a child’s body, it is perfect for bedtime. It reduces anxiety and improves relaxation.
- Cedarwood: Cedarwood has a grounding properties that evoke a sense of peace and relaxation.
How to Use Essential Oils Safely:
- Diffuser: Put a few drops of essential oil in a diffuser in the toddler’s room about 30 minutes prior to bedtime. The aroma will diffuse through and create a sleep-conducive environment.
- Diluted Massage: Mix a few drops of the essential oil with a carrier oil (such as coconut oil) and gently massage this into your toddler. Pay special attention to the feet, back, and hands.
- Aromatherapy Spray: In a spray bottle, mix your favorite essential oils with water and spray on your toddler’s pillow and bedding to help him sleep properly.
Since there are some essential oils, which may be potentially too powerful or irritating, it is always wise to use such oils with care. The basic rule of thumb with regard to using essential oils remains dilution. You need to settle for high-quality and pure essential oils only. It is never recommended that you should apply undiluted essential oils directly to your toddler’s skin.
4. Diet and Nutrition
What your toddler consumes during the day may significantly influence their sleep at night. While some types of food and nutrients naturally induce sleep, others will have the opposite effect. Paying attention to your toddler’s diet can help them both fall asleep quicker and sleep longer.
Foods that Help Induce Sleep:
- Bananas: They contain magnesium and potassium in large amounts, which helps relax the muscles and induce sleep.
- Oatmeal: Oatmeal is a good source of melatonin, the sleep hormone. A light bowl of oatmeal before retiring might make your toddler sleepy.
- Warm Milk: Warm milk at bedtime is the mythical prescription for sleep. Milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid different from any other, which produces kipping.
- Sugary Snacks: Consuming high-amounts-of-sugar foods promotes the energy level in a child, making it more difficult for him to sleep.
- Caffeinated Beverages: Do not give any caffeinated beverages to your toddler. In simple words, chocolate milk and soda are just forbidden as they interfere with sleep.
These sleep-friendly foods added to your toddler’s dinner or as a bedtime snack will bring a tremendous change in how quickly your toddler goes to sleep.
Conclusion
Helping your toddler fall asleep quicker need not involve the use of artificial aids or medicines. These natural remedies like establishing a very dependable night’s sleep routine, herbal teas, aromatherapy with the help of essential oils, and diet and nutrition can help you create a peaceful and relaxing bedtime environment that gives an invitation for restful sleep.
Remember that every toddler is just a little bit different, and it can take a while to work out the right combination of remedies that is particularly best for your child. But if patient, consistent effort is put into practicing them, then the aforementioned natural approaches will make bedtime less distressing and far more restful for all concerned. Taking care of a toddler’s sleep is an investment in health, development, and happiness.
