Bed Time Routine for a 3 year Old

[rosannamarielewis09]

Hello, My son is 3 next months and I am still to get him in a decent bed time routine. He now goes up to bed at 8.30 but does not go asleep until at least 11. I've tried staying with him, sleeping in his room, and I have even bought him a new bed which is more comfortable for him but still no luck. I get in to a cycle where I struggle to get us up early enough for the day now and it's become impossible to get him to settle at night! I would be great full for any tips any one has used with their bed time routines

What time does he wake for the day and does he have any naps?

Do you have bathtime at night, just before bed? I have always given notice that the bath is running, made sure the curtains are closed and turned down any noises, in preparation for the run-up to bedtime. We then go upstairs, when the bath is run (nice and warm, with lavender drops in it), half an hour max in the tub, then PJs and bed. 3 story books read and then lights out.

If anyone gets up, it's straight back to bed, some reassurance if any worries and head-stroking but firmly that this is night time and time for sleep. Any subsequent get-ups, just get put back to bed straightaway, no words.

At 3 years old, I was doing bathtime at 6.30pm, pjs & stories at 7.00pm and lights out at 7.30pm. No naps during the day or else it would delay sleeping at night.

Not sure any of this helps.

What happens when you sit with him?

I would wake him up at 7am every morning, don't stick the tv on whatever you do. He will be grumpy but there you go.
Get decent double layers of blackout blinds for his room for bedtime.
Introduce a routine - up at 7am, breakfast at 8am, lunch at 12, tea at 5pm and snacks in between or thereabouts. It'll take a week to adjust I reckon.

Get him out to the park, running around. Don't bother with soft play or playgroups - he'll be tired and full of tantrums while he adjusts.

Then bath at 6pm, lights out at 6.30pm and sit with him til he sleeps. Obviously flex it a bit but I think you need to be quite rigid the first week.

At three my DS3 would wake around 7 and then start getting ready for bed at 6 - bath, PJs, story and kiss then lights out around 7 - he would go prety much straight to sleep. If he's not napping then I think 8.30 is too late. If he is napping then maybe try cutting down (or out) the nap and doing bedtime earlier.