It is no secret that having a good snooze is crucial to our well-being. Whether it’s a small nap during the day or shut-eye at night, it is vital to have a sound sleep. This is even more true for kids. Your child’s development is dependant on sleep and, truth be told, your sanity as well. Thankfully, there are tips you can follow to ensure your baby has a good rest. Here is what you should do.
1. Keep The Same Routine
Just like adults, children sleep much better if they have a fixed bedtime. It helps to create a circadian rhythm to which the body adapts over time. This means that your baby’s body is ready to go to rest and regain energy at a specific time. Overall you should remember that it is better to put your child to sleep earlier than later. You might think that if your baby goes to bed later, he will fall asleep more quickly, but this is not always true. In fact, if a child is kept awake after his usual bedtime, in the end, he might have more problems getting a good shut-eye.
2. Have Rituals Before Bedtime
Various pre-sleep rituals that indicate when it is time to go to rest can also help have a better sleep. It is best not to change the bedtime routine too often. If you can, stick to three to four different activities each evening, for example, bathing your child, reading a book, and singing one or two lullabies. Your child’s bedtime routine should be short and understandable. Try not to overcomplicate things.
Of course, it is possible that your kids won’t want you to leave after you have completed the small activities, but it is essential to follow the patterns you have created. Thanks to these small rituals, your child will be able to fall asleep more quickly and have a better snooze. But it is also a great thing to do as it creates a bond between parents and children.
3. Teach Them To Fall Asleep Independently
It is normal to wake up at night. People do it regardless of their age. However, while a grown-up can fall asleep as soon as they wake up, it is different with children. Getting some shut-eye after waking up in the middle of the night causes them some difficulties.
One of the most effective ways to help your baby is to let them fall asleep independently. This can only be done if your child is placed in the cot at bedtime while they are still awake. This will ensure that waking up in the middle of the night won’t scare them because they already know how it is to be alone.
4. Don’t Skip Naps
Just like putting your child to bed at the usual time, skipping naps during the day may affect the quality of their sleep. Your child will most likely act differently and will need to go to bed earlier. In addition, this might disrupt any previously established sleep schedule, which, as already discussed before, is not in your best interests.
For a child’s healthy development, they need to have a nap during the day until the age of six. According to psychologists, a person has a natural desire to snooze in the middle of the day. You may know it yourself – around two o’clock, it is sometimes hard to stay awake. The same goes for children. So don’t try to fight against it.
5. Make Sure Your Child Feels Comfortable
Comfort is key. If your child doesn’t feel good in their own bed, you can’t expect them to have a good night’s rest. Choosing a memory foam kids pillow might be a great idea since it conforms to the head and neck, offering supportive sleep. Having the right temperature is also crucial. It shouldn’t be too hot or too cold. Try to set the bedroom temperature around 65 to 70°F. Investing in a good cooling pillow for kids can also be a game-changer.
6. Have a sleep-friendly environment
Temperature is not the only thing your child’s sleep is dependent on. Make sure to not use any screens at least two hours before bedtime as they can interfere with the production of melatonin (which is essential for a good snooze). Also, think about choosing pillows for kids with CertiPUR-US certification (it means they will have small levels of toxic chemicals), especially if your baby is allergic. Sneezing and coughing can easily disrupt sleep-time.
Purchasing an adjustable bed pillow for kids might also help since it allows to control the height and overall feel of the product. Some babies are more sensitive to external factors than others. For them, having a safe, cozy environment is even more critical.
7. Avoid Caffeine
As you may already know, caffeine is a stimulant of the central nervous system. So make sure your child doesn’t feast on chocolate, cola, and tea in the late afternoon and evening. Otherwise, they will have a hard time getting the rest they need.
If you ever have any concerns regarding your baby’s sleeping habits, make sure to talk with a pediatrician. It is mostly just a question of having a proper routine, but sometimes even your best efforts won’t yield the results you expect. A doctor will be able to give you tips to make your family’s life a bit easier and filled with more peacefulness.
