2006-07-22 11:23:16 · 12 answers · asked by SHEILA 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
A nice warm bath before bed should help out. This will calm the child down. Keep the lights down low and keep everything very relaxed and calm at least an hour before bedtime. Also make sure the child is getting enough natural exercise during the daytime and doesn't take too long of a nap. Never give a child anything with caffiene in it at any time of the day and try to cut down on sugary foods. Try to set up a bedtime routine they work wonders.
2006-07-22 11:27:37 · answer #1 · answered by Meg 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think all the suggestions others have made are good but also remember that a 4 year old has A LOT of energy and will sleep much better if they have plenty of opportunities to get out and run it off. Outside playtime is best for this, but if not possible some actively engaging play may do the trick too.
2006-07-25 14:39:52 · answer #2 · answered by totspotathome 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
8 is a good time for a four year old to be in bed . . . they should also be getting up in the morning by this time . . how long does he sleep in the morning? . . . if your child naps in the afternoon, make sure it is between 12 and 1 and no later . . . you also need to introduce your night time routine earlier so they know it is time to settle down and be ready to be in bed by 8 . . . bath and snack at 7:30 . . . book . . . lights out . . . it will take a little while to get used to and they may fight you but it will pay off
2006-07-22 20:13:36 · answer #3 · answered by wfgrg15001 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't let him sleep to late in the mornings wake him/her up a little earlier than usual and don't let him take long naps in the evening.....then when night comes he will go to sleep. Also during the day let him play hard out side to wear himself out and then give he a long hot bath and feed him well b/f laying down. Promise he won't stay awake past 8pm. I also agree with the others routine is very important. If you have CD player or you can use your computer to play soft music at night....it's very relaxing and pleasant....My kids Love It!! and the music helps them fall asleep!! These are a few stations ( Guitarra del Sur & Nature
Song Radio are my fav) I listen to a night...enjoy!!
Be Blessed!!!
2006-07-22 19:23:47 · answer #4 · answered by AAP0305 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
consistency is a must. If you change his downtime, routine, nap times etc. he will not be able to adjust easily. A child needs 10 hours at that age each night, If they don;t get it they will be over tired and not be able to sleep. You can't wait till your child is over tired as they can't fall asleep that way, they must go to bed when the first signs of tiredness hits them and watch for signs each night (yawning, stretching, cuddling, thumb sucking, droopy eyes) thats the time for bed. Once you figure that out about the hour before that start quiet time, read, brush teeth, pajamas on, no active t.v. stuff, lay on the couch, warm milk no sugary or caffiene stuff. I put mine down with story time on tapes. I read to them first but in bed they have tapes of me or daddy reading stories or singing songs. This way they feel you are still there and they drift off to sleep. Don't let them get up with a hundred excuses either. Once and its over no tapes the next night or no reading, no t.v. etc. but no spanking
2006-07-22 19:51:24 · answer #5 · answered by Marba 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bedtime is best followed when theres a routine. snack, bath, bedtime story and than tucked in......also if you want the child in bed by 8:30/9:00 at night than try getting them up at a resonable hour in the morning.
2006-07-22 21:48:20 · answer #6 · answered by Mel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lessen naps if a long nap is involved. Routine is important. Warm bath, after dinner. Snack before bed, brush teeth soon they will get in the cycle and know what is expected but if routine changes they don't always know what to expect so they try to get what they want. Good Luck. :-)
2006-07-22 18:30:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go lay on the bed with them and watch tv and give them a back rub. Always worked with mine they would fall asleep very quickly. Or you could take the approach that your not giving them an option but to sleep. I put a tv in my boys room eventually and they fall asleep watching cartoons or a disney movie.
2006-07-22 21:10:34 · answer #8 · answered by D K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a 4 year old aND 2 other children, I have quiet time with my son and than we get a bath and i read him a story and lay down with him, til he falls asleep. this may not work for everyone, but it does work for me.
2006-07-22 18:28:41 · answer #9 · answered by crazy2have3kids 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, it depends on how early. Second, keep them busy during the day and 3rd: shorter naps if any at all. Good luck!!
2006-07-22 21:43:00 · answer #10 · answered by Erika 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋