Normally toddlers would eat frequently but eat very little as their stomach size is very small. They may even get hungry within an hour after dinner. Therefore, Bedtime snacks for toddlers offer good sleep and also they would feel less hungry when they wake up in the morning.  Plan a healthy snacks for toddlers in the bedtime as you would for morning and afternoon.

Snacks would affect sleep

Be choosy while giving bedtime snacks for toddlers as it would affect their sleep either way. For example high protein snacks served to them at bedtime stimulates the secretion of hormone known as dopamine which would keep your child awake. Whereas banana increases trytophan levels, a substance that calms down the mood, thus induces sound sleep in your little ones.

Snacks that relaxes toddlers

To relax your little ones before they go to bed, give them snacks that are rich in carbohydrates that helps to release the chemical trytophan. Processed sugary carbohydrate should be avoided like sweet cookies and a bowl of sugary cereal. Whole wheat bread are good bedtime snacks for toddlers at bread time, toast and give it plain or smear little peanut butter over it.

Snacks rich in Calcium

When you feel that your toddler's stomach is not filling with the regular snacks. Try out snacks that are rich in calcium, they are filling and prepares your toddler for a sound sleep. Chopped or smashed bananas with cottage cheese or milk or low sugar yogurt are very good options. You can also serve small wheat crackers with a piece of cheese. Take a small bowl of grain cereal and pour regular milk or soy milk to it and serve as a bedtime snacks for toddlers.

Conclusion

It is very important to provide the right bedtime snacks for toddlers. There are certain foods which you should avoid like raisins, peanuts and popcorn as these would lead to choking hazards. Chocolates with caffeine are not a good choice, further sugary foods like cookies, candies and ice creams should be avoided.  Caffeine in chocolate arouses them, so they would keep awake at night and taking sugary snacks stops them from settling down for sleep. Make sure to given them snack 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime, this is done to ensure proper digestion. Give good bedtime snacks for toddlers to induce sleep and to promote their overall health.

Image credits: vanillajoy.com