WHEN SHOULD MY BABY GO TO BED?
An early bedtime is advisable! Around 6 -7:30 Pm!
Discover what time works best for you baby/toddler. Play around with the bedtime in 10/15 minute increments to discover his/her “window of opportunity”. That is when your child is not overly tired, but tired enough. Remember to compensate with an earlier bedtime if it was a bad nap day.
Keep in mind that your child has a natural awake and sleep rhythm, so be consistent with your bedtime! Even weekends!
Mood and Behaviour
- Irritability
- Depression
- Exaggerated emotions
- Increased aggressive behaviour
- Behavioral problems
- Hyperactivity
Health
- Reduced physical performance of small and large motor skills
- Delayed recovery from illness
- Disruption in natural growth and development
Learning
- Impaired hand eye coordination
- Memory lapses
- Lack of concentration
- Impaired memory
- Compromised decision-making processes
Sleep
- Unrestful sleep
- Inability to nap
NB> Restlessness is often a sign of over-tiredness! It is a vicious cycle!
LOOK FOR THE FOLLOWING SIGNS
- Losing focus or having poor concentration
- Becoming easily agitated or frustrated
- Decreasing the pace of his activities
- Fussing, whining, and getting cranky
- Lacking energy or losing interest in usual playtime activities
- Having tantrums
- Becoming hyperactive, wired, or wound up
- Quieting down, talking less
- Rubbing eyes or pulling at ears
- Looking glazed or acting distracted
- Becoming clingy, wanting to be held or carried
- Complaining of a headache or stomach-ache
- Yawning
- Lying down on the floor or a chair, or closing the eyes for long blinks
- Caressing a love (such as a blanker or stuffed animal)
- Asking to nurse or asking for a pacifier or bottle
HOW MUCH IS NEEDED?
| Age | Number of Naps | Total length of naptime hours | Nighttime sleep hours | Total of nighttime and naptime sleep |
| 0 – 3 months | 4 – 5 | 6 – 9 | 11 – 12 | 16 – 18 |
| 3 – 6 months | 3 | 3 – 5 | 11 – 12 | 15 |
| 6 – 12 months | 2 | 2 – 4.5 | 11 – 12 | 14 |
| 12 months | 1 – 2 | 2 – 3 | 11.5 – 12 | 13.5 – 14 |
| 18 months | 1 – 2 (usually 1) | 2 – 3 (usually 2) | 11.5 – 12 | 13 – 14 |
| 2years – 5 years | 0 – 1 | 0 – 2.5 | 11 – 11.5 | 11 – 13 |
*Credit to No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley
OTHER TIPS
- No TV or stimulating activities at least two hours before bedtime
- Make sure your little one falls asleep on his own, without you rocking him, sucking on a dummy or being fed to sleep
#sleeptraining