Teaching Techniques for Toddlers to Comfort Themselves – COOL MOMS
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KIDS & PARENTING

Teaching Techniques for Toddlers to Comfort Themselves

When should you start teaching a toddler how to self-soothe them? The ideal age to teach your toddler how to self-soothe is around six months. Babies usually start sleeping through the night at this age. They will start to self-soothe as they learn to establish a sleeping pattern.

A Golden Rule for T Each Toddler to Self-Soothe

You should always leave the room once your toddler falls asleep. It is difficult to teach toddlers how to sleep independently during the first week. If you are consistent, it should not take longer than two or three weeks to create a new sleeping habit.

It’s important to have a bedtime routine for your baby, even if it is a little different from the one you had. This will help everyone get a good sleep. You can stick to a strict bedtime routine that includes a warm bath and a story, while drinking a warm beverage, before your toddler is put to sleep. They should be tired from a long day and ready to sleep almost instantly.

Each A Toddler To Self-Soothe

When your toddler awakens in the middle of the night, be calm, soothing and short. Give the child a kiss or hug, and leave the room. Over time, he’ll learn to sleep and will only wake up when ill or if something is wrong.

self help skills for toddlers - Teaching Techniques for Toddlers to Comfort Themselves

Common self-soothing behaviors found in children

  • Thumb-sucking
  • Fingernail biting
  • Cuticle picking
  • Sucking clothing or other objects
  • Rocking
  • Pulling eyebrows or eyelashes
  • Hair twirling

Tips on How to Help Your Toddler Self-Soothe

If your toddler sleeps in a crib and not a starter bed they may not be aware that they have to stay in bed at night. It is because children don’t really understand this concept until they are 2.5 years old. It may take them several weeks to master this new skill if you keep returning them to bed. You could install a safety gate on their door for safety reasons. This will relieve you of the worry that your child may wander off when they awake. If your child is teething or in discomfort, they may wake more often at night.

How many naps does your toddler need?

Children aged 14 months require an average of 11 hours of sleep at night and 2 hours spread over 2 naps.

Be Consistent

You will find it easier to sleep at night if you have a plan and a consistent approach. It may not be possible to nurse your child to sleep. Check if your toddler is confused or drowsy.

Sleep Training for Toddlers who can’t self-soothe

You may find that your toddler is able to put their pacifier back in their mouth on their own at 14 months if you are using a pacifier. You need to gently coach them. Start pointing at the pacifier when they awake. You could put the pacifier in a small basket at the corner of their bed if they’re in a regular mattress. You can point at it when they awaken and say “This is your pacifier, you can now reach it“. At this stage you should not put it into their mouth, but rather let them do it themselves. Start by pointing to the pacifier. See if your child understands. If they keep asking to be put, you can place it on their hands. Let them put the food in their mouth. You will have to let them do it themselves sooner or later.

You should stop giving them pacifiers to soothe them. You will see that the parent is now using the pacifier as a sleep aid. They find it and place it in the mouth of the child.

Takeaway

When you’re working through this step, it’s important that you put your child to sleep drowsy and awake. Parents often let their toddlers get too close for sleep only to discover that they are crying because their child doesn’t know how to fall asleep on their own. This simple guide will teach your toddler how to soothe themselves. Soon, you will notice that your child is drifting to sleep on his own.

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