Teaching Your Child to Sleep Later

In order to get a bit more sleep in the morning I put toys in the crib with the children, after they are fully asleep of course. This only works with children who are old enough to scoot around and find toys but young enough they can’t climb out of a crib.

As for crib toys, I prefer to use hard plastic objects like the ones shown in the picture. I also will hang a soft book on the edge of the rail so the child can pull it down to read but it isn’t laying in the crib as a possible smothering hazard. Only use toys that are age appropriate and can‘t harm the child. A breathable crib bumper will help to keep pacifiers from falling through the rails during the night. They also help to keep the smaller toys in the crib while the child is playing in the morning.

Another technique is to condition the children to “bed playing” by letting them play in the crib a bit after nap or even while you take a shower. Most children will wake up from sleeping and cry to be removed from their bed. If you go and get them immediately you are reinforcing their crying. If you let them cry a bit and then get them when they have been quiet a few minutes they will soon learn that crying doesn’t get them out of bed. If it is hard for you to listen to your toddler cry, take advantage of the time they are spending in their safe crib and take a shower. Chances are when you are clean and refreshed they will be happily playing in their crib.

What are your techniques for a few more minutes of sleep in the morning.