The most important thing to establish immediately is a night time routine. This routine must be consistent and enjoyable. Find below a list of surefire ways to put your child to rest.
Set a nightly bedtime and stick to it.
Around an hour before bedtime, start the night routine. Do not let anything interfere with this, no phone calls, no visitors, nothing.
Ensure your child has a bath every night
Pajamas on.
Read a book or story following bath.
As you read the book, ensure lights are low, no TV or loud noises. You want to keep it calm and quiet.
In their bedroom is where they stay. Make your exit right away after kissing goodnight. Tell them it is bedtime. Keep repeating this.
A bath calms and sets the tone that it is close to bedtime. Pajamas on means bedtime is next. Reading is of course important but also relaxes your child and creates a special bond between you and the child. Once the kiss goodnight, prayers or whatever you end with is done, child knows it time to go to sleep.
