Sometimes when we’re trying to understand why a child is fighting bedtime, we tend to overlook the obvious: we picked the wrong time! If your little one is yelling, “No, no, no!” at nighttime, ask yourself these questions:

Is your bedtime too early? Look for these clues:

  • Your tot fights falling asleep for 30-60 minutes.
  • She shows no sign of fatigue at bedtime.
  • She wakes up in the middle of the night or very early the next day, refreshed and ready to go.

Is bedtime too late? Look for these clues:

  • Your child fights falling asleep for 30-60 minutes.
  • She has trouble waking in the morning; she’s extra cranky and moody during the day; and she falls asleep during car or stroller rides.
  • She shows clear signs of fatigue at bedtime (rubbing her eyes, blinking, yawning, getting silly and wild, acting cranky, having accidents).

If you think bedtime is too early, try pushing the bedtime routine 15 minutes later, 2-3 nights. If you think bedtime is too late, start the routine 15 minutes earlier every 2-3 nights. Either approach should work within a week or two.

About Dr. Harvey Karp

Dr. Harvey Karp, one of America’s most trusted pediatricians, is the founder of Happiest Baby and the inventor of the groundbreaking SNOO Smart Sleeper. After years of treating patients in Los Angeles, Dr. Karp vaulted to global prominence with the release of the bestselling Happiest Baby on the Block and Happiest Toddler on the Block. His celebrated books and videos have since become standard pediatric practice, translated into more than 20 languages and have helped millions of parents. Dr. Karp’s landmark methods, including the 5 S’s for soothing babies, guide parents to understand and nurture their children and relieve stressful issues, like new-parent exhaustion, infant crying, and toddler tantrums.

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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.