Growing children tend to be very active, and more often than not, you’ll find parents complaining about how their kids tend to be very difficult when it comes to bedtime. If that sounds relatable to you, here’s something to help. Keep reading to discover 5 super effective ways to help your kids get enough sleep and establish a healthy sleep schedule for them.
Create a Routine
Creating a bedtime routine for your kid is one of the simplest and easiest ways to help him sleep at the same time everyday, which means a lot less stress and fuss for both- the parent and the child. Structure tends to give kids a feeling of safety and security, so try as much as you can to get your kid into bed at the same time every day.
Optimize the Environment
Create an ideal sleeping environment to help your kid get into the mood of sleeping. Draw the curtains and keep it dark, turn off all sounds and noises around and adjust the temperature of the room to make it more cool, comfortable and sleep-worthy. A lot of parents have also experienced success when they had their kids take a bath before bedtime- it helped the kids relax and fall asleep faster.
Turn Off the Electronics
Turning off all the electronics and devices that emit light (specifically blue light) at least an hour before bedtime can help your kids sleep faster and better. Light emitting devices can interfere with your kid’s sleep-wake cycle, which can also leave him too stimulated to fall asleep. Also keep playtime at least an hour before sleep time. Sleep Time activities should be calming and relaxing.
Ditch the Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant and is not recommended for kids. However, if you do give your kids some coffee or a soft drink occasionally, make sure you give it 3 hours before bedtime. Also avoid giving your kids any heavy meals right before sleep time- a light snack such as a fruit or some crackers or a glass of milk can work just fine.
Check for Sleep Disorders
If you seem to have tried all possible ways to establish a healthy sleep routine for your kid, and yet, nothing seems to be working for him, it could be possible that your kid might be affected by a sleep disorder. Keep track of your child and how he functions during the day, and if his sleep has affected any of his performances. If your child is chronically tired and tends to have concentration problems at school or even behavioral problems, it could be a sign that he might be affected by a sleep disorder. If that’s the case, a pediatrician’s visit might be necessary to help you understand ways to help your kid sleep better.
Do you have any other ways you get your kiddos to get enough sleep? I’d love to hear them!
