I’m a parenting pro – my little-known hack gets toddlers to sleep in minutes – you just need to tweak your routine

SLEEP training your kids can be challenging, but luckily parenting professionals are here to help.

Sleep regression is a time in which a baby stops sleeping as well as they previously did.

It will also usually occurs around a particular stage in the baby’s development.

During a baby’s first year, sleep regression can be most commonly seen between four to 12 months, then again at 18 and sometimes around two and three years, according to Cara Dumaplin, a certified Paediatric Sleep Consultant.

And one mum knows exactly this feeling, as she is currently having troubles with her one and a half year old son.

The parent is struggling so much, she took to online forum Mumsnet to share her concerns and ask for any advice.

The mum, who remained anonymous, shared: “My almost one and a half year old is still such a nightmare sleep wise !!

“My DD (darling daughter) is three and a half and just f**king goes to sleep.

“She hasn't napped for almost a year and just.. goes to sleep. 7:30ish.

“I take them both up together as neither of them can fall asleep without me near them..

“So I lie with both of them. DD falls asleep pretty much instantly. DS (darling son) takes like an hour of him just messing around. It's so frustrating.

“He eventually falls asleep.. then wakes up in the night still and I need to lie down with him again and usually give him some milk too.

“Then he's also up again earliest, while DD still sleeps! He has a nap at around 11 am for an hour to an hour and a half.

“Which I don't think is too long. I start bedtime at 7ish. They're usually cuddled up in bed with me by 7:30. He won't sleep though. What can I do?”

The post attracted lots of attention, with one particular parenting professional revealing how a simple tweak can make a huge difference to their sleeping routine.

They suggested winding down earlier and making the “whole bedtime routine a longer wind down.”

The parent then wrote out a list of things to follow which included “zero screens after 5pm,” and “upstairs at 6pm for a bath.”

She then urged the mum to do the whole wash and PJ’s routine within twenty minutes, before then allowing 10 minutes for milk, and teeth brushing.

The parent then said to do 30 minutes of “loads of stories for them both” and lights out at 7pm.

She finishes it by writing: “When DC (darling children) are over tired they go a bit hyper and resist sleep more.”

The mum also suggested investing in a sunset lamp for parents struggling to get their children.

She wrote: “I like those sunset lamp things that fade out to a red night like, they make you feel so sleepy, always helping mine wind down.”

Different parenting techniques

Here are some widely recognised methods:

Authoritative Parenting

This technique will often foster independence, self-discipline, and high self-esteem in children.

It is often considered the most effective, this technique is where parents set clear expectations - enforcing rules - whilst also showing warmth and support.

Authoritarian Parenting

This is opposite to authoritative parenting, as it is where the parent sets high demands but is low on responsiveness.

It involves ensuring the child is obedient and often employ punitive measures. While this can lead to disciplined behaviour, it may also result in lower self-esteem and social skills in children.

Permissive Parenting

Permissive parents tend to be indulgent and lenient, often taking on a role more akin to a friend than an authority figure. They are highly responsive but lack demandingness, granting children a lot of freedom. This method can nurture creativity and a free-spirited nature but may also result in poor self-regulation and difficulties with authority.

Uninvolved Parenting

Uninvolved or neglectful parenting is marked by low responsiveness and low demands. Parents in this category offer minimal guidance, nurturing, or attention. This often leaves children feeling neglected, which can have significant negative effects on their emotional and social development.

Helicopter Parenting

Helicopter parents are extremely involved and overprotective, frequently micromanaging their children’s lives. Although their goal is to protect and support, this approach can hinder a child's ability to develop independence and problem-solving skills.

Free-Range Parenting

Free-range parenting encourages children to explore and learn from their surroundings with minimal parental interference. This method promotes independence and resilience but requires a safe and supportive environment to be successful.

Attachment Parenting

According to Marriage.com, Attachment parenting focuses on physical closeness and emotional bonding, often through practices such as co-sleeping and baby-wearing. This approach aims to create secure attachments and emotional well-being, but demands significant time and emotional commitment from parents.

Each of these parenting techniques has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. The key is to find a balanced approach that aligns with the family's values and meets the child's needs for a healthy, happy upbringing.

These can be bought for as little as £1.79 from Temu.

The mum also added: “At 18 months mine were at absolute peak nap, sometimes they'd crash out for over three hours, I doubt the 1.5hrs is an issue.”

Another parent suggested: “You could try putting him to bed much closer to the time he naturally falls asleep.

“Kind of accept that his natural sleep time is an hour or so later than your DD’s.

“I have two DCs who have very different sleep needs, my daughter sleeps much more/easier than my son.

“Or you could try bringing his bedtime earlier (experiment with times) to see whether he’s actually overtired when you’re trying to put him to bed. That can make them wired and energetic.

“Good luck - it’s horribly frustrating when you’re in a sleep rut like this.”