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Fighting Sleep
A Look at Why Babies and Toddlers Fight Sleep
By Renee Roberson
"Exercise before bedtime makes it harder to fall asleep," says Dr. Chen, who says endorphins are released that make it harder for a person to settle down. "Give them at least two hours before bedtime where they are not engaging in a lot of physical activity. Also, ideally before bedtime, try and limit screen time, such as computers and television."
Music can also help soothe toddlers, but Dr. Chen recommends music without words as the best choice. This has helped Marshfield, Mass., mom Rachel Cericola with her son's nighttime battles. "Basically, I feel that sleep in this house is always a fight," says Cericola. "If he sits upstairs and chats or plays before he falls asleep, I consider this to be a good night."
Cericola says her son often cries loudly until she or her husband goes into his room to check on him. Lately she has started putting on the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack and it has helped to comfort him.
"He doesn't care that it's off season," Cericola says. "He must have watched it a million times around Christmas, so it must be comforting to him in some way."
Babies and toddlers fight sleep for a variety of reasons, oftentimes behavioral, and it can be some of the most stressful times parents have to deal with. Not every method works for every family, so it may take some trial and error before success. If the resistance to sleep persists too long, or if you suspect a physical problem is behind it, don't hesitate to contact your pediatrician for further guidance.
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