Here's How To Prevent Your Child's Whining And Screaming At Bedtime

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JAKARTA - For some parents, putting their children to sleep is a challenge because it is often accompanied by child tantrums. When invited to rest, sometimes children start whining, shouting and even throwing tantrums.

Even though your child does need time to rest after a full day of activities, the child's refusal and unpreparedness to stop doing activities and rest actually makes them enter into tantrums which automatically increase their parents' work.

There are many reasons why your little one has a tantrum. It could be because they are sick, uncomfortable or just not in the mood to sleep.

Here are some tips and tricks reported by Antara from the Times of India that might help parents to put their little ones to sleep on time.

1. Give a choice

Try to make your little one feel that they are in control of the situation. The trick is to give them options that you can accept.

You can give them choices about which books they want to read, what toys to play with before bed or if they want to go brush their teeth first then read a book or read a book first and then brush their teeth.

In essence, look for alternatives that make you and your little one happy.

2. Implement a routine

Try to get your little one into a routine pattern as this can make things a lot easier than you think. Activities that have become routine will allow your little one to plan what they have to follow and give them the freedom to do things on their own because they are aware of the steps they have to take.

Routines will also indirectly increase the continuity of sleep and reduce problems during sleep time for your little one.

3. Introducing aromatherapy

There's nothing wrong with trying to introduce your little one to the scents that are usually identical to give adults a sense of calm.

Interacting with their sense of smell can be great for your little one's overall growth and development, especially as it can help calm their minds during their bedtime routine.

Introducing calming scents like lavender and chamomile can help them relax as they go to sleep. It doesn't have to be with essential oils or perfume, you can introduce it in the form of candles, diffusers and even baby bath soap.

4. Play soothing music

Playing soothing music can calm the nerves and can slowly make your little one sleepy.

Slow, quiet music can help calm your little one through their sense of hearing. You can try reading a bedtime story with calm music. This activity can be continued until your child is past the age of a toddler or even older than that.

Researchers have concluded that calm music played just before bed can improve sleep quality. And if your little one can sleep soundly, of course it will make it easier for you to do other activities before bed or just enjoy "me time".

5. Avoid screens and television

Avoiding "screen time" before bed is a very important thing to do if you want your little one to sleep well. Screen time can stimulate your little one's mind and make him more active than you would like.

Light from a smartphone or television can reduce sleepiness and suppress melatonin. Therefore screen time before bed can affect the quality and quantity of their sleep.

So it's better to avoid cell phones, laptops, and television at least an hour before the time to put your little one to sleep.