Toddler bedtime tantrums, stalling, and other struggles are something most parents deal with. One solution that often comes up is a solid bedtime routine...which typically involves some kind of storytime. And for good reason! Bedtime reading is always a great way to help your toddler wind down. Creating your very own Beddy-Bye book could be just the trick to reducing bedtime resistance.

How do you make a good bedtime book?

Take your little buddy to the store to buy stickers that he likes, coloured construction paper, a hole punch and a nice loose-leaf binder (so you can add and remove pages at will). Then at home, you and your child can work together to decorate the covers of your new book.

Inside the book, on the first and last pages, make a happy face and write ‘The 4 Rules of Happy Sleep.’ Feel free to make up your own rules, but here are some good ones:

  • Happy, clean hands.
  • Brush, brush sugar bugs off your teeth.
  • Pyjamas feel good!
  • I am snug as a bug in bed.

Over the next few days, take some photos: you buying special sheets; your toddler’s star chart; eating dinner; playing before bedtime (lights dimmed); putting on pyjamas; brushing teeth; turning on the white noise; doing bedtime sweet talk; prayers; kisses from Mum or Daddy; lights-out; your toddler sleeping; awakening with the birds.

Also, take shots of other family members (including pets) getting ready for bed and sleeping. And while you are at it, include more fun sleep pictures from magazines and even scribbles your toddler made about happy dreams.

Under each photo or drawing, add little captions, like:

  • ‘Maya, brushing away the sugar bugs.’
  • ‘Daddy and Theo reading fun stories…that feels good!’
  • ‘Twyla’s eyes are getting comfy and closing.’

Finally, put in a few special nature pictures…perhaps a sunny sky and the moonlight night, or some animals sleeping.

Read it together during the day and ask, ‘And what comes next?’ so your child is totally in sync with the routine. And from time to time during the day, ask him out of the blue if he can help you remember all four of the rules. Looking at his book every day will quickly help your little cutie become more cooperative at night.

Your Beddy-Bye book will become another great treasure from your child’s early years!

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.