12 Effective Ways To Wake Up A Sleeping Toddler

Learn when (and how) to wake a toddler from a nap by reading this guide. Because being wise about their nap time usually translates into maintaining their nighttime sleep.

Tips for Helping a Toddler Wake Up Easily

• Get up early to be prepared to wake your child up cheerfully.
• To take on time-consuming tasks and difficult decisions, plan the previous night.
• When waking a child, try to use gradual natural light.
• To lift your spirits, sing along to some music or turn it down.
• Expect a child to take a while to wake up, but be prepared for that.

Effective Ways to Wake Up a Sleeping Toddler

1. Let in the Light

When my son was younger, we bought black-out shades, curtains, and anything else that would block the morning light so he would stay in bed a little bit longer because we needed all the extra sleep we could get.

I enter my son’s room ten minutes before he needs to get out of bed and I slightly open his blinds. Our bodies and minds are made to awaken to light.

Light, Literally, Wakes Up the Brain. Less Than Two Decades ago Scientists Discovered a New Class of Cells on the Retina of the Eye That Have Nothing to Do With Vision, They Are There to Absorb Light and Help Set Our Circadian Rhythms Or Our Sleep-wake Cycle.

I’m researching these light therapy alarm clocks for the whole family in advance of the gloomy winter mornings because research suggests that users say they wake up more cheerfully and find it simpler to get out of bed.

2. Turn on the Music: Happy Wake Up Songs for Kids

We concentrate on the auditory system after first allowing natural light to start waking up the brain through the eyes (if possible). Several years ago, Spotify contacted Dr. In order to help people wake up, David Greenberg, a psychologist who has focused on how music can affect mental health, has put together the ideal morning playlist.

Dr. Greenberg uses three elements to create his playlist:

1. (Songs that begin softly before picking up) Music that builds.

2. song lyrics and messages that are positive; positivity.

3. Strongly paced music.

When I enter his room and open his blinds, I’ll start playing a playlist of some of my son’s preferred songs from movie soundtracks on a low volume.

Our mornings have been completely transformed by these first two things. No more morning stomach aches or grumpiness. I no longer have to drag him out of bed, which is another relief.

3. Wake Your Child Up 10 Minutes Earlier

The last thing you’d consider doing with a cranky kid who refuses to get out of bed is to wake them up earlier, right? I came to the realization that I was trying to let my son sleep for as long as possible while expecting him to immediately jump out of bed, get dressed, eat, and run to school.

I am definitely not one to jump out of bed. Why should I anticipate this of my own kid?

So, now I go into my son’s room 10 to 15 minutes earlier than he needs to get up. I put on the music, open the blinds to let in more light, and then I go. I go make my coffee, feed the dog, and take a short break. When I come back, the dog is already awake and grinning.!

Oh, that smile! I had forgotten about it. Additionally, it might not be as simple to elicit that carefree toddler smile as it once was. A school-age child lives in a larger world with more demands and difficulties. I want our home to be a place where the pressure is off — where we can all recharge.

The mood of your mornings can be completely changed by these simple things, like music and light.

4. Follow a Routine: Visual Routine Charts for Toddlers and Kids

Establish a routine that is clear and includes visual aids to demonstrate the morning preparations. Visual routine charts help keep kids on track and empower them because it helps them feel like they are in charge of themselves.

Children may initially be wary of or even hostile to new routines. They will become invested in having a fun and happy morning as well, though, if you are consistent and fill your mornings with light and music.

Young children have an abstract understanding of time. For this reason, transitions and getting ready to leave often result in tense situations and power struggles. Without you having to supervise them at every turn, a visual routine chart can make abstract ideas like “get ready” and “time to go” concrete.

Kids will feel more secure about the mornings once everyone is accustomed to having a routine and it is consistent. Children feel secure when things are predictable. Children are less stressed and have happier mornings when they feel safe.

5. Be a United Front With Your Co-Parent

Talk to your kids about the holidays now. Tell them you’re going to have a great time and just mention that things might be different from previous years. Yes, this takes parents who can communicate effectively, but this is the time to put your swords to the side, and say hey look, whatever you feel about me, that’s fine, but let our kids have the best time. You’ll be really benefiting your kids if you can accomplish this. I always advise parents that if you do well, your children will perform 100 times better.

6. Start Planning Early

Early coordination is essential. Take out your custody agreement a few months before the holidays and read what it says. Your holiday schedules are specifically laid out in the contract you signed. Examine the agreement, take note of the holiday schedule, and decide whether any modifications are required. If adjustments are required, arrange them beforehand because last-minute changes frequently result in high levels of stress for all parties involved.

7. Split the Holiday Evenly

Even though equal time is crucial, different families may define it differently. Your family may divide the break evenly or alternate the holidays between even and odd years. The possibility of overlap exists in families where co-parents get along, though this is the exception rather than the rule. This means that kids get to spend time with both parents at once. It’s less disruptive for the kids, gives parents more time, and keeps the shared holiday memories alive (and perhaps even helps you make some new ones). However, it’s obviously a very uncommon couple who can pull this off.

8. Don’t Guilt the Children

It might be tempting to say to the children well you’re not really doing anything tonight with Dad so why don’t you come here, we’re going to a party. Just don’t, though. Observe the established schedule. Despite the fact that the other parent’s plans may not seem like “real plans,” i.e. if they’re down the street having a staycation rather than traveling. Respecting the schedule and actively promoting and supporting your children’s time spent with the other parent are both important components of not dissing your co-parent.

9. Create New Traditions

Although it applies to all families, it is especially important for those who are new to co-parenting. Stability is created by new traditions. So embrace a trip or activity that the family hasn’t done before and dive right in. What kind of entertainment or other activities can kids anticipate each year? What can they look forward to and enjoy while spending time with each parent? Include children in the brainstorming by asking them to think of one really special thing they would love to do; then, share that idea with the other parent so they can do the same (and so your ideas don’t overlap).

10. Coordinate Gifts

There are numerous benefits to doing this, such as preventing the giving of duplicate gifts or completely omitting the giving of cherished items. However, avoid going overboard with your gift-giving to try to outdo the other parent. Parents should talk about giving gifts. Set ground rules with your co-parent right away. Are there any gifts that are prohibited? What types of gifts are age-appropriate and inappropriate, and what are the spending caps? A few families decide to split their gifts evenly between the parents, while others only share the Santa gifts. As always, effective communication is crucial.

11. Introduce Your “New Friend” Another Time

Though delicate, this situation is actually quite simple. When parents have been divorced for a while or regularly see their new partner, they may decide it is acceptable to bring them along on a holiday trip. But do not spring a “new person” on the kids during their vacation with you. The children prefer spending their summer vacation with their parent, not with this other person, so doing that is the worst thing to do. It is not considerate, and it robs your family of time that your kids eagerly anticipate. Therefore, unless the new person already has a strong bond with your children, the answer is no. You want to spend time and have experiences with your kids, and that’s the whole point. It’s a bad idea to bring someone you’ve only recently gotten to know because it will make your kids feel like they aren’t first and foremost and you will miss out on a very special opportunity to spend time with them.

12. Prioritize Self Care

It’s not always simple to be alone with the kids while they spend a lot of time with the other parent. So, schedule some alone time and think of something special. Get away for a few days if you can, or find friends who live nearby, attend a play, a concert, or get a massage. I firmly believe that anything you can do to boost your confidence and self-esteem is crucial. Parents should be kind to themselves.

How Much Sleep Does a Toddler Need?

What a toddler actually requires is sleep, so let’s start there. A well-rested child between the ages of 1 and 2 typically sleeps more than 12 hours in a day. By the time your child turns three, however, their daily sleep time will have decreased to about 11 hours.

As your toddler gets older, their sleep needs will also alter. For instance, most infants sleep the majority of the night during infancy after taking a brief nap in the morning, a longer nap in the afternoon, and so on. But once they turn one, the morning nap is likely to stop, and your child will only take an afternoon nap and continue to get plenty of sleep at night.

What’s the Ideal Toddler Sleep Schedule?

Maintaining a fairly regular sleep schedule is one of the best ways to get a toddler to fall asleep, as you may have heard. Building a reliable toddler sleep schedule requires some finessing, but it’s worthwhile because the right routine can establish structure, guarantee your child gets enough sleep, and let you organize your days.

Here are some examples to use as a guide when making a toddler sleep schedule. And keep in mind that the advice provided below should only be used as a general guide; it’s crucial to maintain flexibility when creating a toddler sleep schedule.

Should I Call the Doctor If My Baby is a Late Walker?

It’s normal to compare your infant to other children his or her age when it comes to developmental milestones. A doctor can assess your child’s overall development, which includes their language, socialization, and gross and fine motor skills. This is a much better idea than guessing. According to Cummings, context is generally important.

Inquire with the doctor if your child is 12 months old and doesn’t appear interested in pulling themselves up or crawling. On the other hand, if a child is 15 months old and not walking alone yet but has met other milestones for crawling and cruising, it’s usually not a cause for concern.

If your child is getting close to the age of 18 months, your doctor may suggest that you see a physiotherapist. The physiotherapist may check for a variety of things, including decreased flexibility on one side of the body, which could be a sign of orthopaedic or neurological issues. It might be something as straightforward as the fact that your child has a larger-than-average head, which makes it possible that it will take them longer to find their balance.

FAQs About Toddler Sleep

Even though it might seem like a straightforward idea, learning to sleep is a skill for infants and young children. Don’t get upset if your child requires a little more assistance than others; this can take some time. Here are some frequently asked questions about your toddler and sleep.

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