Last updated on February 1st, 2023
Inside: I share some of our favorite toddler bedtime books. Each month I share a round up of our current favorite toddler books.
Toddler Bedtime Struggles
This month, I wanted to feature some of our favorite books about going to bed. đ´
Recently, my toddler has been protesting bedtime a little. He’s always been a great sleeper, but lately, he says ‘no bedtime’ and will start crying when it’s time for bed, despite having the same routine he’s always had. I chalk this up to him learning the power of his words (the power of ‘no’) and also ‘fear of missing out’.
He’s starting to realize that playing is more fun than sleeping. Now, as a parent, this is tough because YOU know your toddler needs a nap/bedtime, but they don’t. And it is hard to hear them protest and become upset. Quite frankly, it’s mentally exhausting. đ
The best thing to do during phases like this is continue holding your boundaries, stay consistent with your routines, and offer plenty of choices to your toddler so that they feel in control still. Now is not the time to give in and let bedtime be a free for all.
I wrote an in-detail toddler bedtime routine post that goes over all of these little tricks, so check it out if bedtime has become a battle in your house.
Another thing that we’ve done is adjust his schedule slightly. Sometimes bedtime/naptime protests can legitimately be because they simply aren’t tired enough for sleep yet.
For us, we adjusted naptime 30 minutes later and it worked immediately! Remember that your child’s sleep needs will constantly change within the first few years of life and your schedule will need adjusted to reflect their new wake windows.
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Favorite Toddler Bedtime Books
Reading about bedtime can help when having bedtime struggles. Here are some of our favorite bedtime books
1. Night Night Farm – Roger Priddy
This is a cute light and flap book about bedtime at the farm with gentle rhyming sure to make your toddler sleepy!
2. Good Night, Little Blue Truck – Alice Schertle + Jill McElmurry
Who doesn’t love the Little Blue Truck books?! They are a HUGE favorite in our house. This one is about a night time storm on the farm and how the farm friends band together to stay brave and get to sleep.
3. Steam Train, Dream Train – Sherri Duskey Rinker + Tom Lichtenheld
If you’ve got a train obsessed toddler – this book is perfect for you! It’s a fun book that includes lots of rhyming.
4. Llama Llama Red Pajama – Anna Dewdney
There’s always some sort of drama with Llama Llama and in this case, he is in need of comfort from his mama during bedtime – totally relatable in most toddler households!
5. The Going to Bed Book – Sandra Boynton
This one is perfect for both toddlers and babies. It is short and sweet and can be used as a nightly bedtime story.
6. Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night? – Brianna Caplan Sayres + Christian Slade
Any truck lovers?? This one is totally cute and includes so many different trucks!
What are your toddler’s favorite bedtime books? Let me know by leaving a comment!
If youâve never heard of Dolly Partonâs Imagination Library â youâve GOT to check out this post to see what this free kid book program is all about!
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