AUTHOR ERICK / PUBLISHED:OCT-05-2020
The “No Tantrum” Sleep Solution For Parents Who’ve Tried It All
The “No Tantrum” Sleep Solution For Parents Who’ve Tried It All
Does your toddler always seem to explode into a temper tantrum? They’re quite common and three-quarters of children aged 3 to 5 years old have them, according to WebMD. The key is to find the most practical solutions like.
Here’s the good news. There are several ways to deal with kids’ bedtime tantrums. Some practical solutions include bottles/pacifiers, investing in best mattresses for children, child psychology, and a little patience. All of these options can help your tot simmer down.
WHY DO KIDS HAVE TANTRUMS?
It’s quite normal for infants and toddlers to have tantrums. As a parent it’s important to find out the real cause of the emotional outburst, and find the best ways to deal with it effectively.
Bedtime Tantrums
Sometimes tantrums seem to happen at the worst possible time including when it’s your child’s bedtime. Sometimes tantrums start during their bedtime routine. The tantrum can also involve other activities like bath time or nap time.
Sleep Isn't Punishment
The main problem is young children need more sleep than adults. In fact, toddlers often get 11 to 14 hours of sleep every day. If they’re throwing a tantrum it actually might be due to lack of sleep that day.
One of the big mistakes parents make is treating bedtime and nap time like it’s a punishment. They might say that if a child doesn’t want to take a bath they can go to bed, for example. This often results in a power struggle.
Kids need their sleep. It’s important for them to understand the importance of bedtime rituals to prepare them for dreamland.
Temper tantrums, however fun they may be to throw, rarely solve whatever problem is causing them
— Lemony Snicket
A NEW APPROACH
A better approach is to see sleep as a gift rather than a consequence. Children sleep up to 40% of their young lives because it’s so important for their physical and mental development.
Sleep as a Gift
A better approach is to approach your kiddo’s sleep as a gift. This can involve different steps like how to choose the perfect mattress or the perfect sheets for your child. If you treat sleep as a consequence of bad behavior it’s more likely your infant/toddler will throw a tantrum.
It’s important to take a game-changing approach to sleep. Perceive it as a way your child’s body gets energy. It’s also how the brain processes the day’s input and learns new skills.
Sleep as a Healer
Another option is to reframe sleep so your child perceives it as a good thing. You could even tell him/her that they’ll feel better after they sleep at night or take a nap during the day.
Another approach is to refer to sleep in a positive way like “comfy time.” Your little one will then be more likely to put on pajamas, brush teeth, and switch off gadgets.
TANTRUM PREVENTION
Part of having a child is them being in public places where tantrums might take place. They include play dates, grocery store trips, and park picnics.
Tame Tantrums
It’s important to keep your cool if your tot has a public tantrum. You might feel like yelling or crying but these reactions don’t help the situation. Here are some helpful strategies:
Change Environment
After going grocery shopping or other errands, reward your little one with a Happy Meal, trip to the park, and so on. Changing their daily schedule can help to prevent tantrums because they’re eating comfort food and having fun.
Make Grocery Shopping Fun
You can turn it into a scavenger hunt. Have your child find breakfast cereals that start with a certain letter. Try asking them to count how many different green veggies they see in the produce section.
React, Don’t Overreact
It’s important to react to your child’s tantrums but don’t over-react. It might actually backfire if your child sees that he/she is successfully pushing your buttons.
Be ready
Before you go somewhere with your child consider factors that could trigger a tantrum. Then prepare for them as best as possible.
Reframe sleep so your child perceives it as a good thing. You could even tell him/her that they’ll feel better after they sleep at night or take a nap during the day
TIPS FOR BETTER SLEEP ENVIRONMENT
Use Music/Sound Machine/Lullabies
These are all practical ways that sound can help your child stay calm and avoid tantrums. There’s mixed results from studies about the effectiveness of these options. However, there’s no question pleasant sounds can have a calming effect on a person’s mind and body.
Add an Essential Oil Diffuser
Essential oils like chamomile and lavender are known to produce a calming effect. A diffuser can help to fill the room with a natural and calming scent. Avoid air fresheners with synthetic chemicals and use this organic option.
Add Comfy Beddings
Besides adding the best mattresses for children, you can also use comfy beddings like Eucalypso's crib bedding. The TENCEL lyocell beddings are cooling and breathable for hot sleepers. Besides that, they’re also good for kids with sensitive skin since they’re hypo-allergenic and antibacterial.
Install Blackout Curtains
This can help to block out most outside light from street lights, moonlight, sunlight, etc. You can still add a night light but the room should be mostly dark so your little one can fall asleep then get a good night’s sleep.
TIPS FOR SLEEP SCHEDULE
Set a Bedtime
This is the key part of any child's schedule and can help avoid those bedtime tantrums. Make sure there’s still enough time for:
- Dinner
- Family time
- Bedtime rituals
There’s no magical time but what’s most important is that it’s a set time.
Give Choices
Kids like to be in control, but there should be limits. Make sure to give them choices like how many books they’d like you to read at bedtime. Just give options you’re willing to accommodate rather than 100 books, for example.
Use Bedtime Routine Cards
These can help your child feel more in control. Each card can include part of their bedtime routine they must follow, including:
- Brush teeth
- Take a bath
- Listen to bedtime stories
- Put on pajamas
- Eat a bedtime snack
- Switch off gadgets
- Feed pet
The cards also make bedtime more fun.
Follow Schedule Consistently
If you make a new bedtime routine for your child, make sure to follow it for at least one or two weeks. Change is tough for kids AND parents as well. After one or two weeks, you can make tweaks to the bedtime schedule, which will be easier for your child to adjust to.
CONCLUSION
If your child is having tantrums in public and at bedtime, it’s time for solutions like bedtime routine cards, making sleep a gift, and kid's best mattresses. Such options can help your little one feel in control, so he/she will be a happy camper following a bedtime schedule.