How do I get my 4 year old to sleep at 8:00 PM?

Question

My son, who is turning 4 on January 31st, get's very cranky if he doesn't go to sleep on time. He doesn't take a nap, becuase it causes him to stay up late. He's been staying awake until 9:30 or so and is very cranky throughout the day if he doesn't go to sleep early. Any suggestions on getting him to actually sleep at 8:00 would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Answer 1

If he's cranky throughout the day, it's because he's tired. You need to put the naps back in to his schedule...even if he only takes a short 30-45 minute nap. You said it makes him stay up late if he takes a nap, but so what? You'd rather have him cranky then staying up late?

Answer 2

Well start an earlier routine about a year ago (just kidding). Start by putting him in bed at 9:00pm and reading a book, if he fusses that's too bad, sorry but YOU are the parent. Then move it back by 15 minutes each night. 8:00pm is a little early; try 8:30. In any case, starting now here's what I would do:
1. At 8:15pm tell him it's getting close to bed time and it's time to brush his teeth.
2. By 8:25p he should be putting on p.j.
3. By 8:35-8:45 pm tuck him in and read a book to him (pleeez NO TV it's not to be used as a tranquilizer)
4. by 9:00 it's lights out.
Start out like that and like I said do it for 2-3 days then push it back by 15 minutes each night. Within 2 weeks he should be in the routine of being in bed by 8 or 8:15.
PATIENCE MY FRIEND. PATIENCE.

Answer 3

Yes, being firm with bedtime is good. Keep his bedtime the same even on weekends (we tend to be more slack then, but it really can disrupt the rest of the week). Make sure and have some sort of bedtime ritual like reading a story or saying prayers together (just make sure it is something that other people can duplicate. You dont want him not to be able to sleep when you are not around.) to help him look forward to bedtime. Also try cutting back on sugary things, along with caffine or soda earlier on in the day to allow his body time to start winding down. I usually dont allow any sugary things at least 4 hours before its time for bed. If he wants juice close to bedtime, make sure it is natural not from concentrate, or just switch to milk.

Answer 4

My son is 6 and he is the same way. His bedtime is also at 8pm. What I started doing was giving him dinner around 5 or 5:30, give him a bath and try to have him laying down by 7 with a cartoon on in his room. With him lying down watching tv, already eaten and had a bath, he is more relaxed and falls asleep in about 30 minutes. I also set the timer on his tv to go off in 30 min to an hour because he will be asleep by then.

Answer 5

A warm bath could help, if he does not get to excited by playing in the water. Or reading to him while he holds his favorite stuffed animal. You should have him in bed at 7:30 at the latest with the covers up and him snug as a bug in a rug if you want him asleep at 8. Does he get enough time during the day to run and play with other kids? That will help also. Also you should keep the noise level down so he can fall asleep instead of him worrying that he is missing some activity. Not totally quite but not loud either. It's to bad we cant command them to fall asleep on the spot!! I know I wish mine would sometimes. lol

Answer 6

One major thing that helped my child want to go to sleep was buying a toddler bed and making a really big deal about her having a "big girl" bed.

I'de say if the child is eating before it's time to go to sleep make sure they aren't having anything that would upset her stomache and NO CAFFINE or sugar by any circumstance.

Try a nice warm bath about an hour before bedtime or even naptime, as hot as they can stand it, Johnson & Johnson nighttime bath with lavender or milk bath works wonders.

If you want them to go to bed earlier and it is taking them a long time to fall asleep, make sure you are waking them up earlier int he morning. Move bedtime up an hour or two before 8 so you can feel out how long it takes before they are actually asleep, then adjust acordingly.

Stay with them until they fall asleep for the first couple times, sing, read, rub their head or just comfort them while some soft lullibies play in the background.

If you have the means remove any distractions the sleeping area. My children's bedroom contains their clothes and beds with nightstands only so they can concentrate on sleeping and aren't tempted to play. The toys, games and movie/media area is kept in a completely different room.

Lastly I would say try to make naps and bedtimes as consistant and routine as possible and keep them involved, let them feel like they are running the show. The bed is best but if it's nap time let them pick the spot for nap, pick the pillow and blanket. Let them pick the pajamas out at bedtime, let them brush their teeth and hair. Let them pick the book to read etc...

Answer 7

it actual relies upon on your toddler, my son nonetheless would not have a snooze agenda, or a superb feeding one for that be counted, the basically strict issues we do are a jar of toddler foodstuff and some juice after his lunchtime nap... yet he does have a mattress time, at 10, so what I do is at 9 I supply him a bath, this helps calm him, then after his bath i supply him a bottle, we then sit on the settee for a lengthy time period and play, yet not too stimulating, the perception is to wind them down... about 9:40 5 he is going to his swing, the position through 10 he's out like a mild... we then bypass him to mattress... (we nonetheless havent mastered basically putting him in mattress to sleep) yet i have got here upon that a bath an hour previously mattress time is the perfect problem to do!

Answer 8

Try waking him up an hour early in the morning or taking him for a long walk after dinner, try tiring him out with exercise or activities. Also start getting him ready around 7:30 so you have plenty of time to brush teeth and get changed and of course bedtime stories. We had this issue with my daughter during the holidays, she ended up getting off schedule. We woke her up an hour early for a few days and she went to be by 7PM happily! She is three and it worked for her, hope this helps.

Answer 9

Try giving him a bath. I have same problem with 3 year old and i will put one or 2 drops of lavender oil in the bath or use a baby bath with lavender in it.

Answer 10

Get up earlier and try playing children's classical music at bed time. Such as some of the baby Einstein music and actually put him in bed between 7:20 and 7:30 so by time 8pm comes around he has gotten all the fight out of his system. Well thats what worked for my 4 yr old son. Good Luck it ain't easy.