Toddler tantrums can be a nuisance not only for you as the parent but for anyone else in the household.
One minute the child is happily playing, and the next they have you worked up and cannot get into bed or fall asleep.
So, how do you deal with toddler bedtime tantrum?
One thing is for sure after a long day running around with the baby and house chores, having your toddler temper tantrum at bedtime is not suitable for you either of you.
Below are tips to help you avoid toddler tantrums, so you and the baby can sleep through the night.
Related: Toddler Cries About Everything
How To Deal With Toddler Bedtime Tantrum
1. Setting the time
According to studies, timing a child’s sleeping down influences their reaction to bedtime. The study included 14 children.
Their saliva was used to track their melatonin and showed that the sleep hormone was at its peak at 7.40 p.m. this is usually almost the same time most parents put their children to sleep.
The secret is to watch your child’s cues, and when they show signs of sleepiness, try setting that as their sleep time.
You then need to be consistent with this time so the baby can get used to it.
If you are witnessing a toddler hysterical at bedtime then you may need to update the time you choose for their bed.
This is a smart way to avoid toddler hysterical at bedtime problems.
2. Create a bedtime routine
Studies have also shown that a bedtime routine helps the body to initiate the release of melatonin.
With a consistent routine, your child’s body will learn to pick cues that lead to sleep.
It could be brushing before bed, reading a bedtime story, or even taking a bath before bed.
One of the best ways to go about it getting routine printable cards, especially if your child can already read.
Set them up in their bedroom where they can see and follow them on their own.
Make it simple enough for your child to follow through even when you’re not there – like brushing their teeth, wearing PJ’s and putting away their toys.
Young children like to feel like they are in charge, so involve them in the process of choosing the best bedtime routine.
With this, you will avoid Bedtime Tantrums 2 Year Old power struggles, especially when it is time for sleep.
3. Turn Off Devices dark
The ‘Terrible Twos‘ is a quite curious age for children, and your child is likely going to want to get into everything.
This fear of missing out may make it very hard for you to get them to sleep at night and cause a lot of tantrums.
To counter this, make sure that you turn off all devices and all the non-essential lights at least one hour before bedtime.
This will give your child’s body time to wind down and be more open to sleeping.
4. Switch off the lights
According to a study published by the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, any exposure to artificial light during the night suppresses melatonin levels.
This, of course, affects one’s sleep.
It also confuses the body in terms of how long the day is and when it is nighttime.
To avoid toddler bedtime tantrums try to reduce artificial lights such as screen lights and light from bulbs.
5. Be Firm
On average, 2-year old’s need 12-14 hours of sleep a day. When they don’t get that, they become cranky and challenging to manage.
This is why it is important to set a bedtime that should be followed strictly.
Some things to consider when choosing a bedtime that works for you include how long does it take to do mealtimes and bonding as a family, and what time is your child supposed to wake up.
6. Create a connection
Sometimes, toddlers create tantrums at night due to the fear of being alone.
To help your child sleep, try creating a connection for them during bedtime.
For starts, you can hug them and rest with them till they fall asleep.
You can also stay by their side reading a nighttime story, or get them a toy to keep them company at night.
This way, they will not feel lonely and afraid in the night.
7. Run A Bath
Nighttime baths are a great way to relax the body and signal that it’s time to sleep.
Bonus: you also get to clean away all the dirt and mess of your 2-year old’s day.
They’ll be feeling too good to be upset at having to sleep again.
Overall dealing with a toddler bedtime tantrum can be managed by preventing them from happening in the first place.
However here are 3 additional tips you can use if your toddler is still upset.
What About A Toddler Screaming At Night For Hours?
If your toddler is screaming at night for hours then you need to have a better bedtime routine.
Many parents ask “What time should I put my toddler to sleep?”
The time you put your baby to sleep is not fixed. It will depend on several factors like:
Your family- what time is ideal for the rest of the family members?
Do you have dinner at 6.00 pm or 6.30pm, then consider putting your baby to sleep at 7.30 pm or 8.00 pm.
Waking time- Do you take your child to the daycare? Maybe you want to spend some time together before you go to work.
Whatever the reason, then consider putting your baby to sleep early for him or her to get enough sleep and rest for the following day.
The hours of sleep the baby needs– Babies need different hours of sleep depending on their age.
A 2-year old child, for example, needs 12-14 hours of sleep (naps included).
So, when putting your baby to sleep, put into consideration when they need to be up, then calculate backwards to see the ideal time you should put them to bed.
Related Post: How to Keep Toddler in Room at Night?
Here’s a quick video of The Simple Fix For Toddler Tantrums At Bedtime.
Iesha is a loving mother of 2 beautiful children. She’s an active parent who enjoys indoor and outdoor adventures with her family. Her mission is to share practical and realistic parenting advice to help the parenting community becoming stronger.
