First, you could just put him to sleep by rocking him. Your baby is now an upset and determined toddler who hates bedtime, but don't despair: a few simple steps can make bedtime a pleasant time of day.
Steps
Step 1. Set good times
Allow a sufficient number of hours to pass between the afternoon nap and the night. If they are too close together, it will be difficult for your baby to fall asleep.
Step 2. A two-year-old sleeps an average of 11 hours at night and 2 hours during the day, although this is not a rule
Step 3. Get him to exercise
Babies at that age have a lot of energy and, if they don't run out of it, it could interfere with sleep.
Step 4. Always use the same words (maybe only one) that the baby can associate with sleep
For example "night", "bed" or "la-la". If he understands what's going on, he may be more willing to cooperate.
Step 5. Establish a routine to relax him
For example, you could give him a bath, give him a bottle, read him a story or sing him a lullaby.
Step 6. Keep the house quiet and dim the lights an hour before bedtime to let him know it's evening
Step 7. Prepare the bed and the baby
Now is the time to change the diaper, free the bed and prepare a book to read to him.
Step 8. Instead of reading, you could sing him the same song every night, or repeat a poem:
in this way he will immediately understand that it is time to sleep. This will optimize the routine making it always the same, without finding yourself one evening with a much longer book to read.
Step 9. Babies love habits, so always follow the same routine every day and they will soon know what to expect
They will know that first there is a bath, then a story or a song, then it's time to sleep.
Step 10. Teach your child to lie down in bed
You can also do this during the day.
Step 11. Also try to pat him on the back
Many children find physical contact relaxing and reassuring. Even if he is only two years old, your baby will also appreciate a nice massage from time to time.
Advice
- Always keep the room cool and dark. If there is too much light, the child will want to see what happens!
- Remember that he will fall asleep better in a dry diaper.
- Respect the schedule and always put him to bed at the same time every night. You will soon realize that your baby will begin to feel tired just as bedtime approaches.
- Put a night light in her bedroom. That way he won't feel alone when you walk out of the room.
- Reserve time for the bedtime story, it is very important in a child's life. Interact with him as you read. Show him the pictures or have him hold the book when you're done reading. This will help him not only to stay alert, but also to develop new skills.
- If you start this routine, the baby will adapt. It's a good thing, but you'll have to get used to it too. Children respond well to a reliable and fixed schedule; it helps them learn to trust.
- Don't put it off. The older they get, the harder it will be to change their habits.
Warnings
- Remember never to let them fall asleep with a bottle in their mouth because this later (if they get used to it) could interfere with the development of the teeth and cause the so-called "bottle caries".
- Avoid having a two-year-old watch TV before putting him to bed. While it may seem calm while watching it, watching TV tends to have a "delayed effect" whereby the child will be high. This is especially the case if she watches programs that are not suitable for her age.
- Try not to let him skip his naps. This could mess up his rhythms and he'll end up not sleeping even if it's the right time.
- Don't make him eat chocolate or sweet things before bedtime.
