3 Tips for Soothing Your Overtired Toddler to Sleep

If you have dealt with an overtired toddler and nearly lost your mind, keep reading. The human brain grows and develops a whopping 75% during the first three years of life.

Your baby's mind is tackling huge concepts at breakneck speed and his body is performing high energy tasks such as crawling, pulling up, walking, and eventually running.

All of this frenetic activity comes at a cost as little beings finally hit the wall and become not only tired, but exhausted. When this happens, you need tips for soothing your overtired toddler to sleep. We promise.

Parents must learn how to help their overtired toddler decompress so they can sleep well at night. Children don't know how to manage their energy so they "go" until they cannot continue.

When this happens, kids become stressed causing a release of cortisol in their bodies - aka a crying, cranky, and difficult-to-calm toddler.

At this point, you know your baby needs to sleep but getting him settled is challenging. They learn so much, so quickly, that it is exciting to keep going. They do not want to miss out or be separated from you to go to bed.

Methods to get your Overtired Toddler to Sleep

There are a few methods that soothe your overtired toddler so he will sleep well at night.

1. Establish a Bedtime Routine

When you consistently perform the same rituals night after night, your little one will sleep better. His overly tired mind and body will respond to the signals that it is time to rest. Find the activities that will work best for your family.

2. Partake in Calm Activities before Bedtime

Don't expect to make an abrupt change from play to sleep. You cannot expect a child engaged in a stimulating event one minute to lie quietly the next. Instead, you need a series of step-down actions to make a smooth transition.

A good way to start the calming period is a long walk. This can be done in your neighborhood, around your yard, or even in the house. Start at your child's normal pace and gradually slow it down as you continue.

3. Create a Peaceful Ambience in their Room

Lowering the lights in the room and lullabies are settling events that can get your child ready for slumber. As they retire to their room, story time can help cause drowsiness as well.

Choose a book with repetition of phrases or counting to help your child relax. Another calming activity is for you and your child to say soft "goodnights" to all the fun things in his room. End with a "night-night" to each other and quietly leave his room.

Remember consistency is imperative. Your child's bedtime should occur at the same time every evening. Do not allow your child to push limits by giving in to requests for additional stories, songs, or games.

Be firm in leaving the room for the night. If your child gets up, calmly return him to bed without additional inducements.

You might have to do this several times on a few different nights before he accepts the new rules, but soon the routine will help your toddler go to bed without a fight.