Preparing your child for bedtime can sometimes be difficult. After a long day the last thing that you want to do is wrestle with your child at bedtime. This is why it is a great idea to implement a bedtime routine. All babies and toddlers need an adequate amount of sleep each night. Depending on the age of your child anywhere from 8-12 hours is recommended by pediatricians. 

In most cases the younger your child the more sleep that they need. Lack of sleep may lead to crankiness, irritability and can even interfere with the development of the child. It is very important to start a nighttime routine for your child early in their childhood. Try to stick to the routine as much as possible. Here are a few ideas to help you establish a nighttime routine for your child:

-Choose a bedtime and stick with it

-Bathe or wash up

-Read a bedtime story

-Nightly songs or nursery rhymes

-Brush teeth

-Create a designated area for your child to sleep (try not to switch your child around to different rooms)

-If your child is afraid of the dark, get a night light

The earlier you start a nighttime routine, the sooner your child will get accustomed to it. This will get your kids in the habit of sticking to a schedule and it won’t be so difficult once they become school age.