Sleep is vital for all of us to function. For infants and toddlers, sleep is especially important as their bodies need rest to fuel their rapid growth and development.
One of the most common challenges that parents and caregivers reach out to Partners in Child Development’s Early Intervention Services is for challenges related to sleep. When an infant or toddler is not getting enough quality sleep, the entire household may be adversely affected. It is at this point that we encourage you to reach out to Early Intervention Services as we have specialists – including certified sleep consultants – who have the experience and expertise to work with you and your child to help improve sleep patterns.
Our services are provided at no direct cost to any family; therapeutic services are covered by insurance or through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Five Tips to Help Improve a Child’s Sleep
Chrissy Villeneuve, Developmental Specialist and certified sleep consultant at Partners in Child Development’s Early Intervention Services, shares five tips that have helped many families she has worked with over the years. Consider trying these to help your child (and your family) with better sleeping habits.
1. Try an earlier bedtime
Parents and caregivers raise concerns when Chrissy suggests trying to put the child to bed earlier. Their concern is that the child will wake up too early in the morning. Chrissy’s experience has shown that a child will sleep longer and be better rested for the next day.
2. Establish a bedtime routine that is not in the bedroom
For children where the bedtime routine is becoming a challenge with the child wanting another book, more water, or another hug, Chrissy suggests moving the routine out of the bedroom. Perhaps while dinner is being prepared, there is discussion about getting ready for bed, agreeing to how many books will be read and having the toddler select the books in advance. A plan is in place, and when the books are read, it is reiterated that it’s now time for bed and they go to the bedroom to complete the routine.
3. Prepare a bedtime routine that has visual references
Chrissy has found that three photos or picture references of the steps in the bedtime routine can be helpful for a toddler to see and understand what is going to happen every night. Perhaps there are 3 routine photos and the first is brushing teeth, washing your face and hands, and going to the bathroom; then the second photo is of books for reading books as the second step in the bedtime process; and the third is being tucked in and hugged/kissed good night. The child gets used to the routine and the order of what happens to get ready to go to sleep.
4. For older toddlers, introduce the concept of three calls
Not staying in bed once put down to sleep can be a challenging time of the day for parents and caregivers. It is later than you wanted, and the child is not staying in bed. For an older toddler, you may want to try the idea of having 3 calls for a parent or caregiver such as mom, dad, papa, or nana. They call out for you to come in the room, you check on them and you inform them that they have 2 more calls. Perhaps you use a popsicle stick or something visual that they have next to their bed to start understanding. Over time, Chrissy has found that toddlers understand the concept of limits to how many times they can call out or get out of bed and the behavior changes.
5. Prepare for vacation or changes in where a child will be sleeping
A change in where a child will be sleeping can be challenging and disruptive to a child’s sleeping patterns. If you are planning a vacation or trip, Chrissy recommends practicing where the child will be sleeping. If they will be sleeping in a pack and play, set up the pack and play in a highly trafficked area where you live prior to the trip as a test and have the child try it out for a night or two before you go away. Parents have thanked Chrissy for this advice in preparing for a fun vacation that includes good sleep for all.
If you know of a child or family where the sleeping patterns of an infant or toddler are negatively affecting the home, we encourage you to contact us. Our specialists are all trained in working with young children under age three and have the experience and certifications to work with you and your child to help improve sleep.
We have worked with hundreds of children and families related to sleep challenges. We are optimistic that we can assist your infant or toddler while also helping all in your household feel better rested.
We welcome the opportunity to discuss your child and your concerns. We provide our services in all the Greater Lowell communities including Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Lowell, Tewksbury, Tynsborough, and Westford.
Learn more about sleep challenges.
Contact us for a free evaluation.
Learn more about Early Intervention Services.
