Many parents notice that sleep changes around the toddler stage. Where bedtime once went relatively smoothly, children may suddenly start resisting: one more book, another cuddle, or just one more glass of water...
Sound familiar? This is completely normal. Toddlers are developing their own will, understanding more of the world around them and starting to test boundaries. With clear sleep habits, bedtime can become calmer again.
Baby and child sleep coach and founder Charlotte from Lullabé shares five tips that often make a real difference in practice.
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Bedtime begins before the bedtime routine
The last hour of the day has a big influence on how easily a child falls asleep. Calm activities help the body wind down. -
Keep the bedtime routine predictable
Children relax when they know what to expect. A simple routine could be: washing up, putting on pyjamas, reading a book and saying goodnight. -
Prevent overtiredness
When children go to bed too late, their bodies produce more stress hormones. This can actually make them more restless and make falling asleep harder. -
Give toddlers a small sense of autonomy
Let your child choose between two pyjamas or two books, for example. That small sense of control can prevent a lot of bedtime struggles. -
Be clear when saying goodnight
Try not to stretch the routine longer and longer. A clear moment of saying goodnight ultimately gives children more calm and predictability.
Good sleep often comes from a combination of structure, calm moments and a comfortable sleep environment. A quiet bedroom, a soft and comfortable bed and predictable routines help children relax more easily.
Experiencing challenges around sleep?
Many parents keep searching for solutions for a long time, while a few targeted adjustments can often bring more calm to evenings and nights quite quickly.
As a baby and child sleep coach, Charlotte from Lullabé has helped thousands of parents create calm around sleep in recent years. During a consultation you look at your situation together and receive concrete advice tailored to your family and the age of your little one.
