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Bedtime battles: building a routine that sticks
Simple steps for calmer evenings and better sleep.
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Quick answer
- A predictable routine of the same few steps each night helps children feel safe and fall asleep faster.
What's happening
Children push limits at bedtime because they want connection and control. A routine gives them both in a calm, predictable way.
Key facts
Screens delay sleep.
Light from screens can push back the body's sleep signal.
Consistency matters more than perfection.
Most nights the same is enough.
What you can do
- Pick 3 or 4 steps: bath, pyjamas, story, cuddle.
- Use a picture chart for young children.
- Offer small choices, like which pyjamas or which book.
When to get help
- Loud snoring or pauses in breathing during sleep.
- Ongoing sleep problems affecting daytime behaviour.
This guide is for general information. Check with your health provider about your own situation. Facts checked against the Canadian Paediatric Society.
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