Toddler sleep routines are essential for healthy sleep habits. Learn what to include, how to handle bedtime battles, and why consistency is key for naps and nighttime.
As babies grow into toddlers, you can find yourself wondering how much effort you still need to put into sleep. Do wake windows still matter? Does stimulation still affect sleep? Do naps still need to be timed correctly? Do you still need a sleep routine? Does a toddler still have sleep cues? Does the toddler even still need a nap?
The answer to every one of those questions is yes. The answer is yes and there are zero caveats. There can be a scale for some answers. Yes timing of the nap still matters, but some toddlers may have more flexibility than others.
In this post, we will focus on sleep routines for toddlers.
Purpose of a Sleep Routine
As long as you sleep, a sleep routine is beneficial. This is true from a newborn on up through an adult (yes, that means you). A sleep routine is an important part of any sleep schedule.
A sleep routine that is consistent signals to the brain that it is time to prepare to sleep. Consistency in your sleep routine will help establish healthy sleep habits and make it easier for your kids (and you) to fall asleep and stay asleep.
So the purpose is to ensure you get the best sleep possible, set up good sleep habits, and avoid sleep problems.
What to Include in a Toddler Sleep Routine
A good sleep routine will be consistent and include things that help your toddler settle for sleep.
The length of the sleep routine is not important other than you need it to be long enough to fit in the necessary items. If you are pregnant or have a baby, you probably want to keep this nap routine very short so you can attend to your baby if needed or even fit in a quick nap yourself if you have both kiddos sleeping at the same time.
Keep in mind that a naptime sleep routine can absolutely be different than a bedtime sleep routine.
Toddlers are really good at trying to delay a nap or bedtime. It is smart to keep your sleep routine as short as possible and be careful you do not allow delay tactics to creep in. Here are some ideas of things to include:
Go to the bathroom
It is wise to include a potty break in your naptime and bedtime routine if your kiddo is potty trained. You want to avoid excuses for getting out of bed, so going potty will help with that. If your toddler is still in diapers, have the diaper change as part of your sleep routine.
Get the child ready physically
I would recommend you keep nap time free from the physical steps such as changing into pajamas. It is nice to keep the nap routine super brief. For bedtime, you will want to include changing into pajamas and brushing teeth. You might include a bath in the bedtime routine, also.
Read a story
You might do that at naptime and bedtime, or you might just do bedtime. It is wise to either have a limit to the length of time you read (if you do this, set a timer or an alarm that will indicate it is time to stop) or you can have a certain number of books you will read.
If reading bedtime stories turns your sleep routine into some sort of battle, you can read books during the day during playtime so that reading can’t become a battleground or negotiating tactic.
Cuddle and hug
Some children are not that into cuddling even at that young of an age, but others will find great comfort in it. Most young children do love physical touch. Reading a book with your child on your lap can provide cuddling while also reading.
Set the stage in the bedroom
You will need to set the stage for optimal sleep for your toddler. You might close the blinds, pick up toys, and turn on the white noise machine. You might give your child a stuffed animal or other lovie. You might tuck them in with a blanket.
Sing a lullaby and say goodnight
Have a lullaby you sing to your kiddo before naps and bedtime. Tell them goodnight with hugs and kisses. If it is bedtime, we always said a bedtime prayer with our toddlers.
Sample Nap Routine
Here is an example of what this would like for a nap:
- Bathroom or diaper change
- Clean up toys so room is clean
- Read 3 stories
- Prep bedroom (lights, blinds, white noise, etc.)
- Toddler gets in bed
- Lullaby
- Hugs, kisses, goodnight
Sample Bedtime Routine
Here is an example of how that same routine might change for bedtime:
- Bath
- Bathroom or diaper change
- Get in pajamas
- Brush teeth
- Clean up toys so room is clean
- Read 3 stories
- Prep bedroom (lights, blinds, white noise, etc.)
- Bedtime prayer
- Toddler gets in bed
- Lullaby
- Hugs, kisses, goodnight
Some Toddlers are Particular
It is important to know that some toddlers are particular. Their sleep routines must be the exact same every time. Others are pretty flexible and things can be pretty close and be okay.
Of my four children, one was super particular. For the other three, my husband and I could do our own version of a sleep routine and they were okay with that.
With my youngest, however, my husband and I had to get on the same page about what we did at bedtime (I was the one who did naps because I was home with her). We had to have the same number of kisses, same song, same number of bedtime stories, same number of “good nights”, etc. Everything was the same. Before we figured that out, she would be upset at bedtime. Once we figured that out, things were fine.
What to Do When Your Toddler Cries
Toddlers typically hit some point where they cry at nap time and really push back on taking a nap. They might even push back at night. This can feel like separation anxiety, but if they are fine being away from you at other points during the day, it is just them pushing back on sleep.
Sleep isn’t fun. Sleep interrupts playtime and takes them away from the excitement of life. There are a few toddlers out there who still love sleeping, but most will push back at some point, even just a little bit.
You still keep the nap. It will be hard. You will have to be diligent, patient, and consistent, but you still keep the nap. It isn’t easy, but it is worth it.
>>>Read: What to Do When Your Toddler Cries at Nap Time
Take note that it is normal for a toddler to not nap every day. Toddlers do transition toward not napping at all (though that doesn’t happen until they are toddlers). Don’t stress out when your toddler doesn’t nap that day. It is still good for them to be in their bed resting.
>>>Read: What To Do When Your Toddler Stops Napping Every Day
Conclusion
Yes, a sleep routine is still important for your toddlers (and preschoolers, school-age children, teens, etc.). Work to establish a consistent nap routine and a consistent bedtime routine to help your toddler sleep well
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