Creating a soothing bedtime routine for toddlers

Not only does a routine ease the transition from being awake to being asleep, it also gives mom and dad some time to relax and spend quality time together at the end of the day.
Bedtime routines work best if you reserve the hour before bedtime for quiet play. This will lower your child’s activity level and prepare his nervous system for relaxation.
The following illustrates beneficial routines:
* Set a specific time and stick to it. Your child’s body clock will adjust much more quickly to the routine if the routine follows a natural and consistent pattern.
* Give a warning. Just before bedtime, give your child advance notice that the day is winding down.
* Offer a snack. A light snack which includes both protein and carbohydrates will induce sleep and help your child stay asleep through the night. The carbohydrates make them sleepy, and the protein will help keep their blood sugar level on an even level until breakfast.
* Give your child a warm bath. By raising your baby’s body temperature slightly, you’ll make them more prone to sleepiness. Also, playing with their bath toys allows them to relax.
* Get dressed for bed. Choose comfortable, non-binding pyjamas which are neither too warm nor too light.
* Read a favourite story to your child. This is a particularly comforting routine for your toddler, particularly if it’s a favourite story that’s associated with bedtime.
* Play soft music while you read. It’s okay to let the music play as the child drifts off.
* Make sure your child has a friend to sleep with. A favourite doll or teddy bear provides comfort.
* Limit or eliminate bottles. If your child needs a bottle to fall asleep, make sure it contains only water. Milk, formula, or juice can pool around her teeth causing cavities, even in infants.
* Keep last “goodnights” brief. Say goodnight when it’s time for you to leave the room and try not to come back if your child calls for you.

In our last article we asked parents how they teach their children about stranger danger.
This is what they had to say:
Vicky Dippenaar Carney: It’s very seldom strangers that hurt them.
Rina Aitchison: Sometimes it’s those closest to them that you should warn them about – not only strangers.
Gertruida Veldman: My biology teacher in Hugenote, Mr Eybers told us how his son, who was a toddler then, wouldn’t even accept help from a grandparent when using the bathroom, and about letters of permission when driving other peoples’ children around. That stuck with me and though my son is matric this year, I still greet him with “don’t talk to strangers, get into cars with strangers or accept sweets or drinks from strangers”. The best advice I ever got regarding parenting.
Survey Writer: So om en by 50/vyftig jaar terug is ons deur die skole boekmerkies gegee met rooikappie se wolf op en reels om na te kom in geval van vreemdelinge wat toenadering soek.