Tips on Putting a Toddler to Bed
Nearly everyone has laughed at least once at the painful problem of an adult who steps barefoot on a toy while on a midnight errand to a crying toddler. Comedy aside, however, the incident points out the importance of using bedtime for little children as an occasion to check on family safety procedures. Traveling between daytime family life and solitary sleep can be a challenge for some toddlers. Knowing that they are secure in their family, their room and their home makes sleep come more easily. Does this Spark an idea?
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General Safety
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For toddlers, bedtime needs to be a bit of an occasion. Putting away the toys, shutting or adjusting doors and windows, and turning off the TV and music are all signals adults can send to toddlers that the day is coming to an end and the world is being closed out until tomorrow. Toddlers benefit from their own end-of-the-day routine, but there are additional steps parents can take to reinforce end-of-day security. This tells a toddler that adults are now in control and they are safe.
Bedroom Safety
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Whether your toddler has her own room or shares it with a sibling, take a periodic survey of potential dangers. Check window guards for security. Securing window locks will prevent rattling. At least every three months, check the nightlight, humidifier and other electrical connections for loose plugs and wearing cords. Make certain that humidifiers are level on the floor, with no loose cord that can be tripped on. Check crib rails and bed rails to prevent pinched fingers and falling. Toddlers can be ingenious and persistent in investigating theoretically childproof hardware. Frequent checking prevents accidents that make toddlers fearful at night.
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Personal Safety
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Nighttime safety for your child becomes more important for a toddler than an infant, because your youngster could be mobile at night. Climbing out of the crib, going for a drink of water or the toilet or taking one more look at that exciting new storybook -- if you can imagine it, your toddler can, too. Toys cleared out of the bathtub, adult medicine put back into the medicine cabinet, plastic drink ware in the bathroom and a step stool by the toilet are all steps in the safe direction.
A Safe Routine
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One of the best ways to ensure secure and prolonged sleep for your toddler is to let him help to create a soothing nighttime routine that maximizes opportunities for undisturbed sleep. Some families precede the night routine with an active, get-the-wiggles out period. Others make a steady transition from dinner to bath to story and bed. Letting your child participate in creating the routine (within some limits, of course) strengthens her sense of self-control. If the dog needs a kiss and two sets of fire-engine-print pajamas make the nighttime transition easier, do what makes sense to both you and your child. Let bedtime be a special time for your child to feel loved, cared for and safe. Sleep tight.
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References
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