Sleep problems can often be a big source of frustration for both parents and children.
This article outlines some of the common problems and offers some remedies.
Once a child can walk, they will find out they have the option to get out of bed when they please.
A child may wake in the night due to hunger, thirst, being too cold or cold or disturbed by a bad dream.
They will often leave the bed and walk around looking for attention.
Once they have done this a few times it will develop into a bad habit that needs dealing with.
The first thing to do is deal with the causes.
Make sure the child has some water by the bed in case they are thirsty and that the child is well fed.
Take the child to use the bathroom before sleeping too.
Be certain to make sure the child has few reasons to get out of bed as you can.
If you discover you child has got out of bed, escort them back, tell them it is time to sleep, show them some affection and leave.
If they get out of bed again, repeat.
Continue this for as many times they get out if bed.
They need to learn you will not allow them to get away with waking up in the night and getting out of bed.
Try to make it the parent or carer who put the child to bed at bedtime is the one who subsequently puts them to bed when they get out at night.
This will stop the child trying to play one parent off the other.
Another good idea is to create a chart where you can reward the child for good sleeping habits.
Stick some stickers on the chart when they do well and perhaps buy them a small toy when they get a certain amount of stickers.