When it comes to toddlers, it is vital that you are familiar with the average bedtime for 2-year-old. For children between 1-3 years old, the recommended bedtime is around 12-14 hours per day.
A close look at the average bedtime for 2-year-old
Once your child reaches the toddler stage, most sleep through most nights without waking up their parents. Remember that the average bedtime for a 2-year-old is between 12-14 hours. The majority of toddlers would love to test their individuality. With this in mind, putting the child to bed can be a taxing ordeal.
It is important to note that young children also get overtired easily. Once they do, you find that it is harder for them to get to sleep. Once your child has evident signs of sleepiness, you might be able to settle him/her to sleep before the grumpiness sets in. Remember that a stable and consistent bedtime routine is a big advantage.
Proper awareness of sleep and sleeping patterns is a vital starting point. This will help your child establish good habits as well as a positive mindset towards sleep.
Recommended sleeping schedule for toddlers
The recommended daily sleeping schedule for a toddler might look similar to this:
- 7 AM – wake up
- 1 PM – nap period, usually not longer than 2 hours
- 7 PM – bedtime
In case the day nap of your toddler is too long or too late in the day, your child will not be ready for bed until late at night.
Some toddlers prefer to wake earlier at around 5:30 AM or 6 AM. If this is the case, there is not much that you can do. Remember that putting your toddler to bed later at night hoping that he/she will wake up later in the morning does not usually work. The toddler might still wake up early and end up grumpy from getting little sleep during the night.
If your toddler wakes up early, it is best to adjust the bedtime at an earlier time.
Ideal bedtime routine
Take note that a consistent routine at bedtime will prepare toddlers for sleep. Many toddlers are usually ready to sleep between 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM. This is the ideal time since they sleep deepest between 8 PM and midnight. Make sure that the routine is consistent throughout the week as well as on the weekends.
Here is an example of a bedtime routine:
- 6:30 PM – brush teeth and change diaper
- 6:45 PM – a quiet time where you can tell a story or read a book
- 7 PM – in bed and saying goodnight
Before switching out the light, check the room to ensure that the sleeping environment is safe. In case your child is accompanied by a dummy, you must encourage him/her to let it go.
If you are giving a bottle of milk before bedtime, it is not a good idea. Take note that this can cause tooth decay and lead to other sleeping issues. Make sure that your child will finish his/her milk at least 30 minutes before sleep time.
Toddlers might go through a phase where he/she calls out or gets out of bed after saying goodnight. In such cases, you can try out these tips:
- Avoid boisterous or rough play before bedtime since it makes it hard for your child to settle
- Switch off the TV, tablets or computers an hour before bedtime
- Stick with a consistent, calming bedtime routine
- Before leaving the bedroom, check that your child has everything that he/she needs
Always check whether your child needs something when he/she calls out. In case your toddler has done a poo, change the diaper even if the light is dim and do not talk.
If your child is afraid of a “monster” lurking beneath the bed, quickly inspect to confirm that there are no monsters. Lastly, if your child is afraid of the dark, use a night light.
Final Thoughts
It is vital to stick with the average bedtime for a 2-year-old to ensure that your child gets enough sleep. With the help of these tips on creating the ideal sleeping routine, it ensures that your child gets enough sleep for proper growth and development.
Read also:
- [How To Get a Toddler To Sleep In Own Bed]
- [The Normal Timeframe When Your Kid Stop Napping]Â
- [How to Keep the Semblance of a Late Bedtime Routine Away from Your Kids?]
