Which intervention during a well-child visit would help a toddler fall asleep more quickly at night?

Which intervention during a well-child visit would help a toddler fall asleep more quickly at night?

• A. Provide the toddler with a favorite toy at bedtime
• B. Keep the television on at bedtime
• C. Offer a sugary snack at bedtime
• D. Let the toddler fall asleep on the couch

Answer: (A)

Providing a comforting, familiar object at bedtime helps a toddler settle and fall asleep more quickly. A favorite toy acts as a transitional or security cue, promoting self-soothing and reducing bedtime resistance as the child moves from wakefulness to sleep. It signals that it’s time to wind down and creates a calm, predictable routine that supports quicker sleep onset. In contrast, keeping the television on at bedtime can increase alertness, offering stimulating visuals and sound that delay sleep. A sugary snack can energize the child and disrupt sleep, while letting the child fall asleep on the couch can create inconsistent sleep associations and make it harder to transfer that sleep to the child’s own bed.

Providing a comforting, familiar object at bedtime helps a toddler settle and fall asleep more quickly. A favorite toy acts as a transitional or security cue, promoting self-soothing and reducing bedtime resistance as the child moves from wakefulness to sleep. It signals that it’s time to wind down and creates a calm, predictable routine that supports quicker sleep onset. In contrast, keeping the television on at bedtime can increase alertness, offering stimulating visuals and sound that delay sleep. A sugary snack can energize the child and disrupt sleep, while letting the child fall asleep on the couch can create inconsistent sleep associations and make it harder to transfer that sleep to the child’s own bed.