Parenting Tips for Your 29-30 Month Old Toddler

One night your toddler may sleep through the night in his own bed, the next night he may try to crawl into your bed in the middle of the night. These changing patterns are normal.

Helping your toddler to be comfortable sleeping in one bed each night is important to set up healthy sleeping behavior. You may use a “family bed” or your toddler may have his own bed. Whatever sleeping arrangements you use with your family, try to keep your toddler’s bed the same each night. Remind him that the bed should be used for the whole night, until it is time to get up in the morning.

Tips for getting your toddler to stay in bed:

• Have a bed time routine. Do the same thing each night with your toddler to get him ready for bed.

• If he wakes up in the middle of the night, sit by his bed until he is feeling sleepy again.

• If your toddler has his own bed, resist having him come into bed with you when he is upset. Remind him that he has his own bed.

• Sometimes parents let children share their bed when the child is feeling sick or scared. Try to get your toddler back to his sleeping routine soon after the situation has passed.

• Be consistent and loving. When your child calls for you in the middle of the night, he is letting you know he needs you to comfort him. Carry or walk him back to his bed and help him feel safe while he falls back to sleep.

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