Toddlers are a handful. They’re full of energy, they never stop moving, and they can be really stubborn. When it comes to sleep, toddlers can be even more challenging. If your toddler is refusing to sleep without breastfeeding, here are a few things you can try.
How To Make Toddler Sleep Without Breastfeeding
It’s no secret that a good night’s sleep is important for our overall health and well-being. However, when you’re a parent of a young child, getting a full night’s sleep can seem like an impossible feat.
If you’re breastfeeding your toddler, you may be wondering how you can get them to sleep through the night without needing to nurse.
Here are a few tips to help you make the transition:
Start by gradually reducing the amount of time you spend nursing.
If you typically nurse your toddler for an hour before bed, try reducing it to 30 minutes or even 15 minutes.
Introduce a bedtime routine.
A bedtime routine can help signal to your toddler that it’s time to sleep. Start by dimming the lights and reading a book together. Then, give your toddler a bath and put on their pajamas.
Put them in their own bed.
If your toddler is used to sleeping in your bed, it may be time to transition them to their own bed. Start by having them sleep in their bed for naps. Then, slowly start moving their bedtime to earlier in the evening.
Don’t let them fall asleep nursing.
If you typically nurse your toddler to sleep, it’s important to break this habit. Instead, put them in their bed awake and let them fall asleep on their own.
Be patient.
It may take a few nights (or even a few weeks) for your toddler to get used to sleeping without nursing. But if you’re patient and consistent, you’ll eventually get there!
How to help baby sleep without breastfeeding
It’s no secret that new parents are often sleep-deprived. So when you find out you’re pregnant, it’s important to start planning how you’ll get your baby to sleep through the night—without relying on breastfeeding. First, understand that there is no single “right” way to help your baby sleep through the night. Every baby is different, so you’ll need to experiment to find what works best for your little one.
That said, there are a few general tips that can help you get started:
Establish a bedtime routine.
A bedtime routine can help signal to your baby that it’s time to sleep. This might include a bath, a story, and a final feeding.
Put your baby to bed drowsy but awake.
It can be tempting to rock your baby to sleep and then transfer them to their crib. But it’s actually better to put your baby down when they’re drowsy but still awake. This way, they’ll learn to self-soothe and fall asleep on their own.
Don’t let your baby get overtired.
An overtired baby will have a harder time falling asleep—and staying asleep. So watch for signs of fatigue, like rubbing their eyes or acting fussy, and put them to bed before they reach the “overtired” point.
Avoid feeding your baby to sleep.
Breastfeeding (or bottle-feeding) your baby to sleep can create a sleep association—meaning your baby will only fall asleep if they’re nursed or given a bottle. Instead, try to wake your baby up a few minutes before you feed them, so they’re not completely asleep when they eat.
Don’t keep your baby awake to “catch up” on sleep.
If your baby misses a nap or doesn’t sleep well one night, it’s tempting to try to make up for it by keeping them awake during the day. But this can actually backfire, leading to an overtired and cranky baby.
Be patient.
Remember that you can’t force your baby to sleep. If they’re not sleepy, there’s no use trying to rock them or feed them to sleep. Just put them down and let them fuss for a bit—they’ll eventually drift off.
Get help if you need it.
If you’re struggling to get your baby to sleep, don’t hesitate to reach out to a sleep consultant or your pediatrician. They can offer additional tips and support.
How to put a toddler to sleep in 40 seconds
It’s bedtime, and your toddler is exhausted. But when you try to put him down to sleep, he just won’t stay still. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Toddlers are notoriously active and often have trouble falling asleep. But there are a few things you can do to help your toddler wind down and fall asleep quickly.
Here are a few tips for how to put a toddler to sleep in 40 seconds:
Establish a bedtime routine
One of the best ways to help your toddler fall asleep quickly is to establish a bedtime routine. A bedtime routine should include a few calming activities that help your toddler transition from being awake to being asleep.
Some ideas for calming activities include reading a book, taking a bath, or listening to soft music.
Keep the room dark and quiet
Another way to help your toddler fall asleep quickly is to create a calm and dark environment in his bedroom. This means turning off any bright lights and keeping noise to a minimum.
Give him a comforting object
If your toddler is used to sleeping with a stuffed animal or lovey, be sure to give him this comforting object when you put him down to sleep. This will help him feel safe and secure and may help him fall asleep more quickly.
Rock him gently
If your toddler is still having trouble falling asleep, try rocking him gently in your arms. This calming motion can often help toddlers fall asleep quickly.
Put him down drowsy but awake
Once your toddler is calm and drowsy, it’s time to put him down to sleep. It’s important to put him down while he’s still awake so that he can learn to fall asleep on his own.
If you follow these tips, you should be able to put your toddler down to sleep in 40 seconds or less. But if your toddler is still having trouble falling asleep, talk to his doctor. There may be underlying medical conditions that are causing his insomnia.
