Helping Toddlers Settle into a New Bedroom

As all parents of toddlers will testify, they can be finicky little things at the best of times. And let’s face it, we want bedtime to be as calm and stress-free as possible for the little darlings, don’t we? However, sometimes changes need to be made, and if this can’t be avoided, at least we can try to ease those changes as much as possible. Here are some tips on helping toddlers to settle into a new bedroom.

Keep a lid on your stress

Whether you’re moving home or simply switching bedrooms to make room for another family member, it’s going to be unsettling for your toddler. There are no two ways about it, so accept that now and then we can work on making it as pain-free as possible. My advice is always to try not to anticipate problems if you can. Sometimes our own fears about the move can be reflected onto our children, who may otherwise be fairly easy-going about it. That said, recognise that it is a big deal for some and take action to keep it as low key as possible. Don’t let your own stress take over; take each step slowly and try to relax.

Spot the signs

You are preoccupied with the logistics of moving—the packing up of things, the re-locating, and the re-arranging. Your toddler, meanwhile, is reacting in other ways. While your child has none of the stresses that you do, she does still feel the effect of the move emotionally and practically too. Signs that she might be finding it hard include:

• Increasing clinginess
• Regressive behaviour, such as thumb sucking or bedwetting
• Loss of appetite or refusal to eat
• For example, unusual behavior is being shy or displaying anxious mannerisms such as nail-biting, finger sucking, or hair twirling.

If your toddler shows signs of stress related to the move, this is likely to impact sleep. For some, this can start before the move and continue afterwards, too. Some tips to help with this include:

• Help your toddler to understand what’s happening as soon as possible. Don’t bring the move on her because this can be really stressful for some kids; instead, give her plenty of time to absorb the information and ask questions.
• If you can, introduce your toddler to the new room before the move. Show her around and help her to feel excited about it.
• Give your toddler some jobs to help with the move and help her feel included. Perhaps she can help to pack up her favourite toys, for example. Make sure she is involved on moving day too, and help her feel in control by asking her to help decide where items should get.
• Allow her to say goodbye to her old room. It might sound silly, but it can really help toddlers to feel a sense of closure.
• If your toddler is moving rooms due to to a house move, make her room the priority. Before you unpack any boxes, make sure that her bedroom is sorted first. So yes, your packing needs to have been organised for this too, but it’s worth it. If you can get her things in place and her bed ready to sleep in, bedtime will be so much easier all around.
• After the move, allow your toddler to get used to her new surroundings as much time as possible. You might want to stay home as much as possible without disrupting your usual routine too much. Give your toddler plenty of opportunities to play in her new room so that she can get used to it and enjoy being there.