I have read a lot about babies’ sleep patterns and still today I hold on to one thing I learned.
The sleep cycle – we all know how sometimes you fall asleep in an instant, while other times you just can’t relax enough to fall asleep.
It’s the same thing for babies – if you just pay attention to their sleep pattern and find a good rhythm – your lives, both parent’s and baby’s, will be a lot easier.
So – what I’ve discovered from my boys, is that the evening goes really smooth if we put them to bed about 12 hours after they wake up (when they no longer take mid-day naps). Easy to remember too.
Wind down half an hour before bedtime and make sure not to miss the “sleep window”. When it’s closed, it could take 1,5 hour till it reopens. And that 1,5 hour can be quite challenging, I think every parent would agree on that.
If your kid is anything like one of mine – who shows few signs of sleepiness, I’ve discovered that massage is a very helpful tool to help him wind down. I’ve used it since they were babies to help them relax. Your fully awake toddler becomes a sleeping angel within just a few minutes. The release of oxytocin makes the baby sleepy and relaxed and works well throughout the night as well.
Nowadays the boys ask for it themselves – whenever they need a little extra help to fall asleep 🙂
I really advise you to try for yourself! I use no special technique but if you would like some guidance to find pressure points, here is a helpful link.
Here is a book that covers the different techniques of infant massage: Infant Massage (Fourth Edition): A Handbook for Loving Parents