Is your 3-year-old suddenly battling bedtime, even though they sleep through the night? If this sounds like your current situation, don’t worry—you’re not alone, and we’ve got a plan! Read on for how to obtain a peaceful sleep routine in 7 days! Skip the endless stats and generic advice; this guide offers real-life examples from a fellow mom who’s been through it all.
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Step-by-Step 7-Day Journey to Peaceful Sleep
Days 1-2: Nap Time Transition
Start with nap time to make nighttime easier. Stay with your child until they fall asleep, plus a few extra minutes to ensure they’re sound asleep.
Day 3: Gradual Withdrawal
Remain in their room but not as close to their bed. Begin to phase yourself out to ease back into their normal routine.
Day 4: Room Transformation
Make a small change to their room right before nap time. For example, create a fort if you have a reversible bed. Follow your usual nap routine, then tell them you’ll be right back. Leave the room briefly and return, repeating this process to reassure them. Remember to revert their room after the nap for safety.
Day 4: Nighttime Adjustment
Try transforming their room again or stay nearby until they fall asleep. Experiment with leaving and returning every few minutes if needed. Find what works best and stick to it.
Days 5-6: Reinforce Successful Methods
Continue with the techniques that worked on Day 4, both during nap time and at night.
Day 7: Full Transition
By now, you should be able to leave their room right after putting them to bed, but before they fall asleep. Maintain this approach to successfully phase yourself out of their bedtime routine.
Bonus Tips for Success:
- Allow them to take a soft toy or two to bed.
- Introduce storytime if you haven’t already.
- Give them a bath right before nap or bedtime to help them relax.
Following this 7-day plan can transform your bedtime battles into peaceful routines, making sleep easier for both you and your child. For more practical parenting tips and solutions, keep exploring our blog.