SECRETS TO A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

Quality sleep is one of the most important pillars of good health for children. Here are some tips to help little ones get the sleep they need.

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The recipe for a good night’s sleep comes in two parts. The first is falling asleep and the second is staying asleep. If you can help your child to overcome these potential struggles, they will have no problem waking up by themselves in the morning and they will feel refreshed and well-rested.

FALLING ASLEEP

On average, children fall asleep in less than half an hour of settling down for the night. This can vary depending on how sleepy they feel, how active they’ve been throughout the day and also if there are any bedtime routines in place. Bedtime routines are key in helping your child to fall asleep as they encourage them to do some gentle, calming tasks that will bring them into a more restful state before bed.

All of us, including children, wake up during the night. Your little one may not even notice and they may fall back asleep quickly, easily and by themselves. Developing a good relationship with sleep can ensure that waking in the middle of the night does not disrupt the overall quality of their sleep.

HEALTHY SLEEP HABITS

Regular bedtime

Getting your little one down for the night at roughly the same time each day will help them to get used to when they should be falling asleep. Once they develop this habit, you’ll notice that they even begin to get sleepy in the hour leading up to their bedtime. A regular wake up time complements the scheduled bedtime well as it will teach them to wake up naturally. Try to maintain something close to this schedule on weekends and holidays for the best results.

Winding down