Bedtime is for stories about princesses and knights. But it’s definitely not the time for your kids to take out their swords and defend their right to a later bedtime. If you’re tired of fighting your kids about bedtime, you’re in luck. Because today we’re guiding you through how to make a kid fall asleep faster.So, want to know how to lull your little dragons to sleep without a magic potion? Then check out this guide for everything you need to know about kids, bedtimes, and how to win the battle. 
How Much Sleep Should Your Kids be Getting Anyway?You’ve probably heard it before: children of different ages require different levels of sleep for optimal health. Lucky for you, you don’t have to use trial and error to figure out what works best for your kid. That’s because the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has figured out all the recommendations so you don’t have to. NewbornsBetween the age of 1 and 4 weeks old, newborns need up to 17 hours of sleep. They typically have cycles of awake-time lasting between 1 and 3 hours. We hate to break it to ya, but this is an age where you have to adjust to your newborn’s sleeping schedule, not the other way around. To make this time as easy on you as possible, work with your partner or helper to take turns with the baby at night. BabiesBabies of 1 month to 1-year-old still require 14-16 hours of sleep. At this point, they’re beginning to sleep longer at night and stay awake for much of the day. By the time your baby reaches 4 months, they’ll likely sleep through the entire night with 3 or more naps during the day. At this point, you should begin getting baby into a nighttime routine. Try to set a bedtime and stick to it; conversely, try to wake baby at the same time every morning. If baby doesn’t want to go to bed at their set bedtime, try moving up their final nap earlier in the day. ToddlersThe toddler stage between ages 1 and 3 years is when the “I don’t want to go to bed” fights begin. Toddlers need 11-14 hours of sleep per night plus 1 nap during the day. But don’t try telling them that– they’re convinced they can stay up just as late as you do.When toddlers start to realize mom and dad stay up later than they do, your toddlers can get serious FOMO. If that’s keeping you and your family up late, try retiring to your bedroom after putting down the kids. Keep noises to a minimum, so your toddler will understand that you’re relaxing late at night, too.School-AgedBy the time your kids are school-aged (between 3 and 6 years old), they need 10-13 hours of sleep. Some parents report having an easier time getting kids to bed when they first start school. After running around with friends all day, it’s no wonder they’re exhausted. School-aged kids are still likely needing one nap per day. But lucky for you, you get to offload that task to their teachers. Take plenty of time to enjoy this new norm because the pre-bedtime fights are only going to escalate from here. Pre-TeensAt ages 7 through 10 years, pre-teens have started to sleep less. They may need 9-12 hours of sleep. But because of school, hobbies, and social lives, they probably only get around 9-10 hours per night. After a quick respite during early school-aged years, get ready for those bedtime fights to re-emerge. Kids are beginning to develop a sense of independence at this age. And because they’re becoming little adults, they think they should get to make adult decisions, too.TeensBetween the ages of 13 and 18, teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep every single night. However, studies show that teens struggle to do so, clocking in an average of 6-8 hours of sleep regularly.By the time you’re dealing with a teen, bedtimes are probably later, and your teen has learned by now the consequences of too little sleep. Breathe a sigh of relief because you’re not likely to run into problems getting your teen to bed. But with new trends of sleeping late on the weekends, good luck trying to get your teenager up in the mornings!How to Make a Kid Fall Asleep at All AgesDespite the differences in sleep requirements for every age, getting your kids to fall asleep is pretty similar across the board. Check out these tips to help your kids fall asleep faster– and stay asleep for longer. The RoutineAs we mentioned above, you should start implementing a bedtime routine as early as 4 months old. We recommend always beginning the bedtime routine with free time. When kids have time for themselves after a long day following orders and completing assignments, they’re less likely to pull out the swords come bedtime. After their allotted free time, you need to turn off the screens. Research shows that blue light from iPhones, iPads, and even TVs can negatively impact sleep-wake cycling. Work together with your kids to come up with a routine that suits both of your needs. Your children will feel like they have some sense of control regarding bedtime and are less likely to fight you.Work it OutYep, kids need exercise, too. While they definitely don’t need to work out for weight loss or aesthetic reasons, your kids need exercise for heart health– and so you don’t have to fight them when it comes time for bed. Make Them ComfortableIs your child afraid of the dark? Do they prefer to wear socks to bed? Or maybe they like having soft music playing in the background.Just like adults, kids want to feel comforted before falling asleep. If you’re used to a fight before bed, ask your child if there’s something you can do to make them feel more comfortable.This will again give your child a sense of control over the situation and allow them to help create a relaxing bedtime environment unique to their needs. Dietary ChangesFinally, you may need to make some changes to your child’s diet if they just won’t fall asleep at night. Restrict caffeine and sugary foods after a specific time. Most experts recommend restricting at least 3 hours before bedtime.More Advice for Mom and DadNow that you know how to make a kid fall asleep, are there other parenting questions for which you’re searching for answers? Check out more parenting advice from Optimistic Mommy to find solutions to all your burning inquiries.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
Speak Your Mind