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How To Put A 1 Year Old To Sleep Fast
To learn how to put a 1 year old to sleep fast, you will need to look at these 5 things:
- your child’s temperament
- their setting at sleep times
- their wake time habits
- the energy you give off around their sleep times
- when they eat
I’ve been putting babies to sleep for almost a decade now, here at my Montessori-inspired playschool, and I have my own twins, who are preschool-age now.
I’m able to put babies and toddlers to sleep in about 2-20 minutes, on average, no problem.
If a child is sick, going through a big change like potty training or welcoming a sibling, or is new to my care, then those might be instances where getting them to sleep can take a bit longer. But, that typically only lasts a week and then we are in a good routine of 2-20 minutes.
So, let me break down each bullet point from above and share more about how I get babies to sleep fast.
I will explain why each of these bullet points is important and how to best handle them, so that you can put your 1 year old to sleep faster and easier, and have more calm and peace in your home, asap!
1. Your Child’s Temperament
Temperament, different from personality, is hard-wired, and can greatly affect whether a child falls asleep easily or struggles more.
Temperament is how we respond to and interact with the world and those around us.
It is ‘nature’, while personality is a mix of both ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’ (what is hard-wired mixed with the interactions a child has with others and their environment growing up).
When trying to uncover how to put a 1 year old to sleep fast, understanding temperament can be crucial.
Once you understand your baby’s temperament better, you’ll be more able to help put them get to sleep easier (and handle a whole host of things more easily as they grow!)
There are three main types of temperament.
Take a look and see which temperament, as laid out by BabySparks, describes your child best:
- Easy-going/flexible – about 40% of babies are reported to be easy going. They are often predictable with eating, sleeping, and elimination, and show a positive mood most often. They are mild to moderate when expressing emotions, and easily adapt to new people or situations.
- Slow-to-warm/cautious – about 15% of babies are reported to be slow-to-warm. They are somewhat predictable with eating, sleeping, and elimination, and are more serious in their mood. They are mild when expressing emotion and often observe more than engage.
- Challenging/difficult – about 10% of babies are reported to be challenging. They are often unpredictable with eating, sleeping, and elimination, and are intense when expressing emotion. They are often slow to adapt to new situations and/or people, and have a negative mood.
While all babies and toddlers may have some level of struggle with sleeping, the ones with a challenging temperament often have the hardest time, as do their parents.
Not to fret, though.
While it can absolutely be a challenge to support a child with a challenging temperament, there are key things you can do to make life, sleep included, much easier.
No matter what type of child you have, I want you to feel supported with their sleep.
Sleep Tips – here are 3 key things, related to temperament, that will help you put a 1 year old to sleep fast:
- Give baby a warm heads up that it is sleeping time soon. ie – “Ok love, we are going to play with block for 2 more minutes then say bye bye and go get some good rest for our tired bodies, ok? Alright, resting time. Yay, cozy cozy.” Something like this lets them know what to expect and eases emotions.
- Wave and say goodbye to toys as you walk to the room. ie – “bye bye blocks, see you after nap. Bye bye trains, love you.” This physical act helps them transition more easily.
- Get baby into their sleeping area before they are overtired (and their emotions get bigger). Many babies will fuss harder and longer if they are overtired. While sleeping is not a skill to be learned, self-soothing and calming one’s self down, is. So, letting your child get more emotional from being overtired can result in rougher rest times and often requires more support from you – especially with a challenging temperament child.
Here’s how to ensure baby isn’t overtired:
- Look for tired signs as: yawning, dazed look/staring, rubbing of eyes or ears, loss of interest in toys, clinginess, and irritability.
- Take note of any timing pattern (ie: everyday around 9:10 baby starts rubbing eyes or every afternoon around 12:15 baby starts getting irritable). I always use my notes app in my phone for this. There usually is a pattern when we take note.
- Calmly get baby into their sleep area right around these times each day.
- Make sure not to try and put baby down too soon before they are tired, as they might still be too awake and in play mode.
- Try and stick to your new-found routine as often as possible.
- Be flexible. If you’re in a situation where your child’s usual sleep pattern is going to be interrupted, make peace with the fact that you may have to help them more.
- Manage your stress and find your calm when putting baby to sleep. Deep ‘voo’ breathing 2-3x, stepping away for a few moments, and saying “I’m frustrated. I can handle this”, are all ways that help me release stress and find my calm. Remember, babies can sense and often feed off of our emotional state.
2. Their Setting At Sleep Times
Many parents want to know how to put a 1 year old to sleep fast, and one key thing to look at is the setting at naps and bed time.
The sleep time setting can make all the difference between a peaceful transition and a chaotic, emotional one.
Over almost the span of a decade now, I’ve worked with dozens and dozens of babies here at my daycare and preschool plus, I’ve had twins of my own.
So naturally, I’ve helped countless different types of babies – from easy-going to challenging – both at nap and at bedtime, ages 0-4 years old, get to sleep.
I like to make the transition from play to sleep a calm, comfortable, and positive time of the day.
There isn’t a baby that I haven’t gotten to sleep peacefully and easily. (When it’s a baby who I am I helping to sleep for the first time, sometimes it may take 3-7 days because it is all new, but we always get there.)
You will get there too!
Sleep Tips – when it comes to setting, here are the 4 key things I’ve found that help get a 1 year old to sleep fast:
- Ensure the sleeping room is dark before entering with baby OR sometimes active, walking 1 year olds like to help turn the light off a few minutes before coming back in with mom or dad for sleep time, too. This also works great. Blackout shades or curtains are best for uninterrupted sleep
- Ensure the sound machine is on before entering the room for sleep time OR like with the lights, an active and involved 1 year old can help turn on the sound machine a few minutes before coming back in for resting.
- Ensure baby has a lovey in their bed OR grabs one before going into their sleeping room. Show and tell them how to use it when they are sad or emotional. (I break down how below).
- Ensure noises that can be heard in the room, even after sound machine is on, are minimal, so they don’t shock-wake baby.
- Consider using an age-appropriate swaddle sack. Some babies sleep better with them on. Worth a try! I love Gunamuna brand.
A baby going into a pre-set, dark and white noise-filled room, is like you stepping into a spa. It sets the tone for what’s to come. It defines the space and intent.
Likewise, baby’s who are active and able and who enjoy to do things alongside their parents, letting them help prep the room a few minutes before bedtime can get them looking forward to bedtime – feeling proud and less anxious or sad.
I’ve found that prepping first, then coming back in for sleep after a few minutes later, works best. But, for some 1 year olds, especially easy-going ones, they can help prep and might get right into bed.
Having a lovey for them to hold and hug can soothe any emotions they might have.
If a lovey at sleep times is new for the baby, I usually show them what to do with it and talk to them about it. 1 year olds can understand more than most parents think.
I might say, “Let’s hug the lovey in bed to be cozy and if we are sad. Hug, hug, cuddle. Love you lovey, let’s sleep. So cozy and happy”, while hugging the lovey.
And lastly, keeping external noises to a minimum will allow your baby to stay asleep longest. I know that depending on what your home space is like and if you have other children, it can be a challenge.
Here are some things I do to keep things as quiet as possible are:
- avoid doing loud housework like dishes or mowing during sleep times (instead, take this as quiet respite time to for you to recharge – try out some meditating, painting, reading, spend time on a hobby…)
- put up a sign by the hallway and tell the older kids it’s quiet play when the sign is up (the visual aid is very helpful for young children)
- post a sign on the front door that says “Quiet Please Babies Sleeping Do Not Knock” so delivery people don’t knock and shock-wake baby (can you believe my UPS guy still always knocks?! Hard and loud, too. I’m shocked. No one else does, though.)
- keep dogs in their beds or kennels when baby is sleeping so they don’t bark at neighbors or squirrels during sleep times
3. Their Wake Time Habits
When wondering how to put a 1 year old to sleep fast, you will want to take a look at their habits during wake times – aka, the times when they aren’t asleep.
At this age and stage in development, your baby is gaining so many new skills and becoming more and more aware of the world around them. They are also still teething.
For their wake times, you will want to have toys, activities, and spaces available to your child that allow them to engage, interact, and move so that they’re physically and intellectually stimulated, while also being minimally frustrated or overstimulated.
Think ‘yes’ spaces, where they are able to move, play, grab, and do things freely without you or someone always having to help or say ‘no’.
When offering toys and activities, it is best to think – functional, intentional, open-ended, and longevity. These will help your child focus and learn best, fostering calm and curiosity.
See my list of 20 Practical, Nurturing Toys For A 1 Year Old to get some ideas.
Avoid noisy, overwhelming, frustrating toys that are flashy, loud, overly-busy, and not open-ended. Toys like this are often plastic with lots of features, and can hinder your child’s focus, and learning, and put them in a frustrated or irritated state.
Sleep Tips – here are the key things, related to wake time habits, that will help get a 1 year old to sleep fast:
- Give your child ample opportunity to move, play, grab, climb, and explore things freely in a safe space
- Use open-ended, non-overstimulating toys
- Avoid noisy, battery-operated toys
- Engage your baby in tickles, cuddles or play at least 3 times a day – at wake up time, before nap time, and before bed time are ideal times
- Recognize what interests your child currently and offer toys and activities that speak to those interests (children with challenging temperaments are often climbers, busy, noisy – let them have time for these things; to release that energy!)
- Get your child outside for nature play at least once a day
- Recognize toys, activities, and interactions that frustrate your child – minimize those exposures and try to redirect their attention
- Talk to your baby and show them how to self-soothe – ie, “You’re so upset about changing your diaper. Bring your car with you! Vroom. It will only take a minute and then done. Fast! Yay, done!” and “let’s take deep breaths like this. Aw it feels so nice. Yes, breathing helps our body.” I highly recommend setting up a peace corner in your home to help with handling emotions.
Just as a frustrating day can affect your mood, action, and responses, your baby can be affected by one, too.
So, aim for a peaceful day with more 1:1 connection time with you, a ‘yes’ space, and communication that nurtures their emotional needs, and you’ll notice a world of difference with how your baby (and you!) behave at sleep times.
4. The Energy You Give Off Around Sleep Times
If you are dreading and hating sleep times, your child might too.
I know it can be so hard to look at ourselves, as we are already doing so much; giving so much.
Yet, it is crucial that we do, because it can make all the difference in how sleep times will go.
In fact, our whole parenting experience can be different when we become more self-aware and take full responsibility for ourselves and our role in the parent-child dynamic.
Many parents want to to know how to put a 1 year old to sleep fast, and checking the energy we give off at sleep times is one of the key things that will help make that happen!
“Around their first birthday, a child can sense how other people feel.” – Alison Gopnik Ph.D, Parents.com
Truth is, babies are meant to sense their parent’s emotions. It’s their first form of communication and how they begin to understand the world around them.
So, when it comes to sleep times, it is important to get yourself into a positive, or at least calm state, so your baby is feeding off of that energy, can relax and get to bed.
I know many parents have anxiety around sleep, even before having their baby, because it is such a talked about topic, often dreaded and hated, and struggled with.
But, I want to assure you that you can consciously choose differently – you can choose calm, flow, and experiment with new things to see what works best for you and your baby, and have more peaceful sleep time transitions.
Sleep Tips – here are the key things, related to your energy at sleep times, that will get a 1 year old to sleep faster:
- Take a few minutes to yourself each day before sleep times, so you can decompress and regroup as needed
- Re-organize your day to minimize your stress and anxiety around sleep times (schedule dishes at a different time, take some time to yourself in the morning before baby wakes, arrange regular time away from your baby to do things just for you, etc..)
- Practice regular de-stressing in healthy ways like stepping away and screaming into a pillow, talking out your feelings with a therapist, journaling
- Focus on making the transition from play to bed time a comfortable and positive experience for your baby (use the waving goodbye to toys tip, giving them a warm heads up, using a lovey, etc) so it is a calm and cozy time vs chaotic and frustrating time
- Get confident – you can figure out another routine that makes sleep times easier! Use affirmations, read books, get support from others.
5. When Baby Eats
A full tummy can help a baby sleep better and longer.
If you want to know how to put a 1 year old to sleep fast, making sure they eat – but not too close to bed time – is a key piece to making this happen!
I’ve found that when a baby has food 20 minutes before their sleep time, they are in this sweet spot of full and comfortable, and ready to sleep!
Giving them 20 minutes after eating allows any gas to pass, food to settle in the tummy, and for the sleepiness to kick in.
If you don’t already do this, try and plan a meal or a wholesome, filling snack 20 minutes before sleep times.
I like to think of snacks as ‘mini meals’, to ensure that I am maximizing nutrients in each feeding for baby.
To think of snacks as ‘mini meals’, you just include as many of the the components of a wholesome meal (protein, veggie, fruit, grain, fat) as possible, on a smaller scale.
For example, you could offer your baby 2 chopped steamed carrots, a few pieces of shredded chicken, and some slivers of strawberry for a snack. Instead of just a single food group.
I like to use these 6-Pack Korlon 4-Compartment Snack Containers to plan and prep snacks for babies and toddlers.
If Your Baby Fusses When You Put Them In Their Bed (Try These Things)
Ok, so maybe you try all of these things and still find that your baby fusses when going into their beds.
Not to worry!
Some babies need more sleep support than others, while some babies are used to their current routine and find change to be more difficult.
Again, not to worry!
I’ve dealt with a lot of different sleep-time fussing from a lot of different babies over the years, including my own twins.
I’ve learned, adjusted, adapted, ‘trialed and errored’ a ton, and here we are today.
Below are the top things that have worked to help get them to sleep faster, even when they are fussing.
Try these and see which your baby takes to best.
Oh, and a good rule of thumb you need to know is – when trying something new with your baby, test it out for 3-7 days. This is generally how long it can take to settle into a new habit and see if things are truly changing.
Ok, here is what to try:
- Adjust their sleep time to be 15 minutes earlier than it is currently.
- Lay your baby against your chest, put slight pressure on their back with your hand, and take 3-4 big deep breaths, or until they are breathing with you. This is a co-regulation strategy that can help calm them, encourage them to take deep breaths, and relax them.
- Narrate what is happening while rubbing baby’s back and holding them, as you walk to their bed. ie: “We are getting ready to take a rest now. We’ve had such a busy morning, lots of yummy food, now we need good rest.”
- Rock, cuddle, and get them relaxed as you walk to their sleeping area, then use one of the soothing tips below
- Say “mommy is right here with you, I’m always close at resting time”, as you lay them in their bed or sit next to their bed (to reassure them and ease any fears/separation anxiety)
- Say “mommy will sit here until you are so cozy and resting, hug your lovey if you are sad” (to comfort and ease any fears/separation anxiety). You can sit next to their bed, hold their hand, whatever you prefer. Most babies who need this closeness at sleep times, will doze off if calm, in 10-15 minutes. Get a cozy chair to perch in. I use a plush butterfly chair – super cozy.
- Tell them “mommy will kiss your hand so you can hold it the whole time you are sleeping” (this will give them something tangible to ‘hold’ and will ease emotions).
- Have a calm, cozy ‘cuddle session’ before sleep times, where you spend 1:1 time holding, cuddling, hugging, and kissing baby. Pair it with giving them a heads up it is resting time after cuddle time. ie: “it’s resting time soon. Let’s get all our cuddles in now so you can save them up for sleep time and be so cozy.”
Why Is My 1 Year Old So Hard To Put To Sleep?
There can be so many reasons why your 1 year old is hard to put to sleep, some of which are:
- Overstimulation: If the child has had a busy day with lots of activities and stimulation, they may be too excited to fall asleep.
- Teething: Teething can cause discomfort and pain, making it difficult for the child to fall asleep.
- Hunger: If the child is hungry or hasn’t eaten enough during the day, they may find it hard to fall asleep.
- Separation anxiety: 1 year olds may experience separation anxiety, making it difficult for them to fall asleep without their parents or caregivers.
- Overtiredness: If the child has missed their usual nap or has had a particularly long day, they may become overtired and find it hard to settle down.
- Developmental milestones: 1 year olds are going through a lot of developmental changes, which can affect their sleep patterns.
- Inconsistent bedtime routine: If the child’s bedtime routine is inconsistent, interrupted or they don’t have a regular sleep schedule, it can make it harder for them to fall asleep.
- Stressed adult: If the caregiver helping the baby to sleep is rushed, stressed, anxious, angry, irritated, or frustrated, the child may sense or feed off of that energy.
Remember, babies with a challenging temperament often need more sleep support.
Closeness is part of a baby’s natural needs. And, just like your baby needs help with just about everything at this age, helping them find a smoother routine for sleep time can be normal.
They are learning from us and those around them, how the world works, how to interact with the world around them, and all these new habits.
Stay curious and try new things until you find something that feels easier and right for your family and needs!
Final Thoughts On How To Put 1 Year Old To Sleep Fast
There are so many contributing factors that can aid you in getting your 1 year old to sleep fast.
If you’re not doing some of the things I’ve described above, try them! Make the tweaks and see how sleep times change.
But, listen, if you are exhausted, at your wit’s end, and just want someone to tell you what to do, step by step, then try The Gentle Sleep Solutions Video Course for 6 months to 2.5 years old.
It is a no-cry-it-out approach with a 98% success rate that can be an absolute gamechanger for tired parents looking for quality sleep solutions and support.
With the video course, you will have access to video modules for 4 months, be connected with an entire team of sleep coaches, as well as be added to the private facebook group where you can ask questions, connect, and get support.
And, it covers things like night wakings and regressions, too!
There is a full money-back guarantee for 5 days after purchase and before you meet 1:1 with a sleep coach, so if you go through the video course and decide it’s not a good fit, they will reimburse you.
Worth checking out and deciding for yourself!
Otherwise, try the tips I’ve laid out above and give you and your child 3-7 days of practice to get into any new habits around sleep times (or in general!).
Remember, it is very natural and normal for some babies to need more closeness and support at sleep times – especially those babies with a challenging temperament.
There is nothing wrong with them, and there is nothing wrong with you.
It is just a challenge in your life that you haven’t quite found the right routine for yet to make it more manageable.
Stay curious, find your calm, and keep tweaking until you find a sleep time routine that flows more easily for you and your baby!
I have faith in you!
Sending you all the support Xx Poppy
