30 Months

Hot topic: Bedtime Routines

Establishing a consistent bedtime routine is essential for toddlers to help them wind down, relax, and prepare for a good night's sleep. Here are some bedtime routine tips tailored specifically for toddlers:

1. Set a Consistent Bedtime: Choose a bedtime that allows your toddler to get enough sleep based on their age. Stick to this bedtime every night, even on weekends, to help regulate their body clock.
   
2. Start Wind-Down Time Early: Begin the bedtime routine about 30-60 minutes before actual bedtime. This signals to your toddler that it's time to start relaxing and preparing for sleep.
   
3. Create a Relaxing Environment:
   
4. Dim the lights in the house to signal that it's nearing bedtime.
5. Keep the bedroom quiet and comfortable.
6. Use white noise machines or soft music to drown out background noise.
7. Bathtime: A warm bath can be a soothing part of the bedtime routine. Use this time to wash away the day's dirt and help your toddler relax before bed.
   
8. Pajama Time: After the bath, help your toddler put on their pajamas. Make sure they're dressed comfortably for sleep.
   
9. Brush Teeth: Encourage good dental hygiene by making tooth brushing part of the bedtime routine. Use a fun toothbrush and flavored toothpaste to make it enjoyable for your toddler.
   
10. Bedtime Story: Reading a bedtime story is a wonderful way to bond with your toddler and help them relax before sleep. Choose calming stories with gentle themes.
    
11. Cuddle Time: Spend a few minutes cuddling with your toddler in bed. This can help them feel secure and loved before drifting off to sleep.
    
12. Say Goodnight: Offer a consistent phrase or ritual to signal that it's time to say goodnight. This could be a simple phrase like "Sweet dreams" or a special bedtime song.
    
13. Lights Out: Once your toddler is settled in bed, turn off the lights and leave the room. If they have a night light or prefer to sleep with a dim light on, accommodate their preference.
    
14. Stick to the Routine: Consistency is key when it comes to bedtime routines. Stick to the same sequence of activities every night to help your toddler know what to expect and feel secure.
    
15. Be Patient: It's normal for toddlers to resist bedtime occasionally. Stay calm and patient, gently guiding them through the routine and offering reassurance as needed
    

By establishing a consistent bedtime routine, you'll help your toddler develop healthy sleep habits that will benefit them for years to come.

Our website has many resources.

Some pages you might find helpful at this age include:

• Nutrition This page has several articles related to feeding your child.
• If you're ready to try to stop a pacifier, see Thumb sucking and pacifier use. 
  
• Immunizations This page has answers to all your questions about the vaccines we give and what to expect after vaccinations. At 2 years we give any seasonal and catch-up vaccines that are indicated.
• Safety This page has a large number of subtopics to learn all about safety and prevention topics for your family.
• Did you know toddlers can get an elbow dislocation called "nursemaid's elbow" when someone pulls their arm? Learn more on Nursemaid's elbow.
• Protect your child from poison.
  
• Parenting Tips This page has tips on sibling rivalry, tooth care, sleep and more. 
• Is your child sick? This page has a searchable list of articles to help manage illnesses.
• Medicine dosages Always make sure you're giving the right amount of medication to your baby. Over the counter medications won't say how much to give, so we have weight based guidance on our site. Tip: If you're buying over the counter medicines, usually the infant specific versions are more expensive than children's versions without any benefit other than a syringe. You can usually buy a syringe and children's syrup for less! Some common questions about medications are covered on:
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Ibuprofen
• How to give your child medications
• Special Needs for those of you with children who have special needs.

Development

• Kids mostly play near one another but may start playing together at this age.
• Encourage running, kicking, throwing, and climbing – with supervision!
• Help kids develop speech and communication.
• Read books and ask them questions about the pictures and what's happening in the story.
• If you can speak more than one language, we encourage teaching your child each language you speak. Remember they'll hear English quite a bit, so focus on other languages in the home if you speak them.
• Many of the child’s words are still difficult to understand at this age so use context to help understand what they're saying.
• Encourage verbal growth by expanding on what kids say. For example, if they say, “blue ball,” you can say, “yes that is a big blue ball bouncing away!”
• A 30 month old should be able to follow a 2-step command, such as “pick up your shoes and give them to me.”
• Talk about colors, name body parts, discuss shapes, sing the ABCs, and count often. This all helps kids learn a number of things many parents didn’t think they could!
• Redirecting undesirable behavior:
• Use "no" sparingly - redirect when possible.
• Praise behaviors you want them to repeat. Look for the good behavior!
• Tantrums decrease if you ignore them.
• Let kids make their own decisions. Offer choices, but make sure either answer is acceptable. (Would you like an orange or banana?)
• Potty training:
• Start potty training when they show interest, not by a certain age. Some kids are not ready to potty train yet but others are. Pushing them too soon may lead to long term problems.
• You can read books about it and leave a potty chair with easy access.
• Show excitement and give praise for interest and any steps in the right direction (sitting on potty, peeing in potty, washing hands, etc.), but don't push.
• Staying dry overnight is not associated with potty training, since many kids are sound sleepers and urinate in sleep for many years.
• Continue healthy sleep habits and routines.
• Expect curiosity about genitals – teach the correct terms.
  
• Screen time:
• You have probably realized that kids of all ages are drawn to screens (tvs, tablets, computers).
• Consider how screen time will affect your toddler's development by asking the 5C's - with age-specific advice: healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/kids-and-screen-time-how-to-use-the-5-cs-of-media-guidance.aspx
• Watch with your children to help them understand what they're watching and to apply it to the world around them.
• Designate media-free times, such as during dinner, and media-free spaces, such as bedrooms.
• Use the Family Media Use Plan tool from the AAP to help.
• Separation anxiety is common at this age. Try to arrive at your destination a bit early to let them adjust, then give a hug or high five and leave. A teacher or sitter might need to hold them for you to leave. Typically they soon start having fun and don’t want to leave when you come to pick them up. But then they cry at drop off again the next day. Don’t worry – this is normal!
  

Milestone Tracking and Tools

• Pathways provides weekly motor, communication, sensory, and feeding activities to support baby at their exact age and stage of development. They have a robust website and free app and we highly recommend using it.
• Zero to Three offers resources for infant and child development and parenting.
• Reading to your baby daily has been proven to boost development. The Imagination Library will ship a free book to your home monthly for your child(ren) from birth to 5 years. Sign up here! 
  

Local Resources

• Parents As Teachers works with parents to teach them how to teach their infants through 3 year olds. This is available to everyone and especially encouraged for first time parents and families who will not use a daycare center, since daycare centers work on developmental skills much like schools do for older kids.
• Infant and Toddler Services provides therapies for Kansas infants and toddlers through 3 years of age with delays in developmental skills, such as speech and language or gross motor skills. 
• First Steps provides therapies for Missouri infants and toddlers through 3 years of age with developmental delays.
  

Feeding & Nutrition

• Kids can eat an unrestricted variety as long as it's a well balanced diet. A parent should decide what kids eat, but they decide how much! If they favor one type of food, offer it after other healthy foods have been eaten to ensure a good balance.
• Toddlers graze – offer healthy snacks. Be sure to balance all the food groups over the course of the week. Try to give a plant (fruit or vegetable) plus a protein each time your child eats. This helps them get to the 5-a-day fruit/vegetable recommended intake. 
• Limit juice and minimize sugary snacks. Juice offers little nutrition and has a lot of sugar! See Dr. Stuppy's summary of the AAP Juice Guidelines for more. 
• Don’t force feed. Toddlers don’t need many calories, just be sure what they eat is good for them.
• All children should receive a supplement of vitamin D and iron because they do not get enough in their diet. Learn more about vitamin D.
• Sippy cups, straw cups or regular cups may be used. No bottles at this age unless the child has developmental issues!
• Toddlers should have meals and snacks offered at the same times each day. Don't let them graze on snacks all day long - think of snacks as mini meals with healthy food choices offered at a standard time.
• Offer small servings of each food. Children become overwhelmed by large portions of food.
• Your child may decide they don't like certain foods. Never force them to eat. Keep offering those foods every once in a while. As children get older their tastes change.
• Keep the tv and other screens off while eating. Distracted eating now sets up unhealthy patterns for life.
• Limit milk to 24 oz or less per day. Too much milk increases the risk of malnutrition and iron deficiency anemia. If you need a cow's milk substitute, talk to us about which is most appropriate for your toddler. Many (including almond, rice, and other milks) sound healthy, but offer little nutrition and are not appropriate for toddlers.
• Encourage self-feeding - it's an important skill.
• Messiness is common. Allow kids to get messy with foods as they build on their coordination eating with utensils.
• Let them learn from working with different textures: play dough, finger paints, sand, and similar textures are a great way to learn!
  

Health

• Young children often seem like they're sick all the time. They get 8-12 colds a year, and each lasts about 2 weeks (some less, some more). Treat symptoms:
• Saline can be more helpful than many imagine. Nasal spray for infants is available at your pharmacy. Your child may also be old enough for nasal rinses at this age. Nasopure has written information and videos on how to use nose washes. Check out their library to learn proper technique!
• If there is nasal congestion or a runny nose, use a nasal aspirator to suck mucus from the nose. First use saline to loosen the mucus, then one of the aspirators that you provide the suction with your mouth or an electronic aspirator. We do not recommend bulb syringes because they are less effective and traumatize the nose more.
• Fever is the body's immune response at work.
• Temperatures over 100.4F are considered a fever and keep babies out of daycare, but we only use fever reducers to make kids comfortable, not to bring the temperature to normal.
• There is no temperature we worry about more if babies are over 3 months and vaccinated. The child's symptoms are what we watch, not the thermometer.
• Generally over 102F, the fever itself leads to discomfort enough to need a fever reducer, but they can be used for temperatures less than that if babies have fussiness, won't eat, or can't settle to sleep.
• Acetaminophen can be given every 3-4 hours and Ibuprofen can be given every 6-8 hours, so many parents prefer ibuprofen for less frequent dosing, but use the one that works best for your child.
• When to have your toddler seen:
• If the fever lasts more than 3-5 days.
• If there are signs of difficulty breathing (rapid breathing, sucking in ribs or at the bottom of the neck, grunting, or looking scared) seek medical attention.
• Signs of dehydration include lethargy/very tired, no tears, dry tongue, and decreased urine output. If this occurs, your child should be seen.
• A phone call cannot diagnose a source of fever.
• If your child has ear pain, treat the pain. Most ear infections are due to a virus, but if your child is under 2 years, the symptoms persist more than 3-4 days, or if the symptoms are not manageable, antibiotics may be considered. Learn more about ear infections here.
• Smoke exposure and day care increase risk of viral infections.
  
• Tooth care:
• Brush child's teeth twice/day.
• Use a grain of rice sized amount of children's toothpaste with fluoride until your child can spit after brushing. When they can spit, you can use a pea sized amount of fluoride.
• We offer fluoride varnish at well visits until you can establish care with a pediatric dentist.
• Smoking in enclosed spaces allows smoke dust to settle on cloths and hair. When held, the child inhales the smoke dust and can develop allergies, asthma, and ear infections. Never smoke around your child or in the home or car – even if the child is not present at the time.
  

Safety for your family

• Drowning danger: Never leave young children alone in bathtub. Empty wading pools and buckets immediately after use.
• Street safety: Teach toddlers to stay out of the street and hold hands if possible in parking lots and when crossing the street.
• Bug sprays with DEET are recommended when exposed to insects.
• Use a helmet whenever on bikes, Big Wheels, scooters, etc. 
• Keep the poison control number in your phone. 1-800-222-1222.
• Keep the water heater set to less than 120F to avoid burns.
• If you own guns, be sure they are stored properly locked with the ammunition locked separately.
• Don't allow kids nearby when you're mowing the lawn. Projectile objects can hurt those who are too close.
• Use sunscreen. Apply 30 minutes before sun exposure and repeat every 2 hrs as needed.
• If you feel unsafe at home, see safehome-ks.org or call 913-262-2868. Use a friend's phone or a public computer at the library if needed.
• Keep cigarettes, matches and lighters out of sight and reach. Don't smoke or vape around children.
• Limit screen time to 60 minutes or less per day of age-appropriate shows and games. Turn all screens off during meal times and an hour before bedtime.
• If you are worried about your living or food situation, talk with us. Community agencies and programs such as WIC and SNAP provide information and assistance. Find information about this and more on our Community Resources Page. See the "Economic and Financial Help" tab.
• Ask us for help if you have been hurt by your partner or another important person in your life. Hotlines and community agencies can also provide confidential help. 
• A fabulous local resource to help you learn about child proofing your home is Charlie's House. Ask us for furniture latches so you can secure bookshelves, dressers, and other furniture that may tip as your baby learns to climb.
• Tobacco-free spaces keep children healthy. Don't smoke or use e-cigarettes. Keep your home and car smoke-free. If you need help quitting, find information on our Community Resources Page.
• Car safety:
• Kids are safest rear facing until they exceed the height or weight limits of their carseat, then they should turn forward with the 5 point harness still in use.
• If you need a car seat sticker, ask us! They can help identify who to call in case of emergencies.
• Do not put kids in thick clothing under a car seat belt. Remove coats and put blankets on top of the seatbelt.
• Make sure your child always stays properly strapped in the car safety seat during travel. 
• Always wear your lap and shoulder seat belt to better protect yourself in case of accident.
• Never drive after drinking alcohol or using drugs.
• Never text or use a cell phone while driving.
• Do not smoke or vape in the car - even if children aren't in the car, it is an enclosed space and your baby will be exposed to third hand smoke or vaping chemicals.
• Put your shoe, cell phone, or purse in the back seat so you never forget a sleeping toddler in the car.
• Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries regularly.
• All parents should learn CPR and refresh skills every 2 years. For a list of CPR classes for both non-medical and medical professionals, search for "CPR" with your zip code on a web search engine.
• Always leave contact information with babysitters. For more babysitter tips, see our Babysitter page.
  

Looking ahead to the 3 year visit:

We'll talk about

• Taking care of your preschooler, your family, and yourself.
• Developmental milestones - use the tools above to prepare!
• There are no routine vaccines again until 4 years, but we may offer seasonal or catch up vaccines. Review the vaccines we'll give before your visit.