Don’t you wish sometimes you could have magic pajamas that aid sleep for your child? Although getting to sleep is not only an adult problem but for kids as well. The routine every night is running up and down to get their pajamas on and to stay in bed. The struggle is faced by most parents and it affects the sleep quality and quantity of every child. Once a child is unable to get to sleep on time this affects the parent’s routine as well. Therefore, everyone tends to have poor sleep and wake up groggy the next morning. There are several ways to stop this constant battle of getting to bed every night for every parent. Here are a few ways that will offer solutions that assist with getting your child to sleep with ease.
Consult for any sleep disorders
Many families struggle with getting their children to sleep of any age or stage of life they are in. As most of them try tricks and tips that they think will help. It still proves to get even more difficult. When a good sleep environment, perfect Stearns and foster mattress, bedtime routine and other efforts deem futile. Consult a sleep specialist on concerns about your child’s trouble to sleep. Some signs are common if a child is having some sort of sleep disorder. For instance, persistent nightmares, trouble staying asleep, starts to bed wet among others. Thus through an expert, you will get your child treated and find ways to improve their sleep quality.
Set sleep time and wake-up time
Depending on your child’s age. They each need a specific amount of sleep to ensure that they wake up refreshed the next day. Although sleep habits vary around the world due to various cultures and routines. As a parent it is your responsibility to know how to plan your child’s sleep patterns. For instance, school-going children need a minimum of 10 hours of sleep at night. Therefore, you can work with that since you know the sleep needs of your child. When you have the sleep time set, the wake-up time is also of importance. Choose a time to wake up and follow through this routine even during weekends and holidays too. This consistency will prevent sleepless nights and will have the internal clock register how the pattern works.
Switch off the TV and other electronics off
Due to the many sources or electronic entertainment that is available these days. Getting children to bed is a battle that is hard to win for most parents. Therefore, try experimenting by switching the TV, mobile phones and other electronics off. This is vital for the light derived from these screens interfere with the production of melatonin. The melatonin hormone helps a lot with the sleep-wake cycles. The higher the levels of melatonin the more children feel sleepy. So this light makes the melatonin production low and makes your children’s brain more alert. For that reason, switch off electronics even thirty minutes before sleep time and dim the bedroom lights. This will help signal your child’s brain it is time to sleep and get ready for bed.
Address bedtime stress and fears
Most children experience some bedtime phobias. This is caused by something that happened in the past, a movie they watched or something else that they fear discussing. It is important to address these fears in various ways. Like buying a special toy, a pet, or play mind reassuring mind games with them. When your child is stressed too. Sleep is a challenge for their cortisol levels are high and their body is not in a position to shut down for sleep. Help your child declutter their mind by having calm bedtime activities and assure them that everything is fine. Depending on the circumstance you are facing as a family. This will reduce excess amounts of cortisol that is the stress hormone. Then your child’s system can shut down for sleep.
Check the sleep environment
Is the environment your child sleeping in sleep-inducing and cool? The sleep environment is best when the child can distinguish it from other environments in the home. Where possible avoid using their bedrooms as a place to play video games, eat or do other non-sleep related activities. This will help them relate the bedroom with sleeping and relaxation. Ensure the beddings are right and comfortable, it is a quiet and the colors are calming. Some of these simple things help a lot to boost sleep quality and help your child fall asleep easily. To children that sleep with pets or a stuffed animal. Observe how it affects their sleep and in such a case adjust that habit with a new but relatable one.
Reduce their anxiety
As parents, while focusing more on the child getting to sleep. We cause them some sort of anxiety. Although most of them cannot explain what they are anxious about. It causes them trouble shutting off their brain to sleep at night. Therefore, avoid insisting on them that it is time to sleep for it makes them more anxious. Alternatively, listen to them and try to understand why they are anxious to go to bed. Additionally, comfort them if they are scared and teach them how to get over their fears. For instance, by reading the story of a child who was afraid and overcame their fear. This relatable story will help them face their fear and anxiety too.
What are they eating?
There is the right type of food, amount and time for your child to eat before bed. Observing this will help your child get comfortable and sleep at night. For they will not feel hungry, get alert unnecessarily and avoid food-related issues like heartburn. Ensure that they get a healthy dinner but not too much. So in case, they require a bedtime snack a glass of milk is sleep-inducing to help them fall asleep fast. Avoid caffeine-related products like chocolate, cola before bed or late in the evening for they affect sleep.
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