Tips for helping your child get a good night's sleep

Many mums and dads lack a good night’s sleep. Not because they aren’t exhausted but because their children are having a difficult time sleeping. It’s at these times that parents begin looking for solutions. Children sleep better when they have an established routine and consistent schedule. Following these tips will help not only children, but parents, sleep better at night.

Blackout Curtains

When rooms have an excessive amount of light, be it from a street lamp, headlights, late evening or early morning sun, it can be difficult for children to sleep. Hanging  blackout curtains will stop light from coming through the window and help children sleep more soundly.

Daytime Preparation

When children have a full day of homework, sports, playing or tagging along with mum and dad on the high street, they have a more difficult time falling asleep. The calmer a child’s day, the more likely they are to sleep well at night. Children who are incredibly busy during the day should be given the opportunity for quiet time, an opportunity to calm down, before bed.

Consistency

Even though children may fight for a ‘later’ bed time, a consistent schedule will help them sleep better at night. Establishing a set bed time for children is one of the first steps in helping them get a good night’s sleep. While every child is different, an average child needs between eight and ten hours of sleep per night to be able to function properly during the day. If a child has to wake up at 7:00am, for instance, they should have a bed time of no later than 10:00pm. The time can, of course, be adjusted to the individual child.

Bed Time Routines

Like adults, children fall asleep better when they have an established bed time routine. Whether it is a hot bath, a cup of tea or a bed time book, a routine will give the child mental cues that it will soon be time for bed. Parents should choose a bed time activity that can be realistically accomplished every night.

Sound

It has been found that some people sleep better when there is noise in the room rather than in a completely silent environment. White noise, such as a fan or air conditioner, or soft, nature music may help some children fall asleep more quickly than lying in bed listening to the sounds of the house. Sleep radios that play these sounds can be purchased as can applications for smart phones and Apple devices.

Sleeping soundly through the night is not an easy task for some children. Blackout curtains, consistency and routine can help when parents find that their children are restless at bed time. While it may take a bit of trial and error to find what helps a child sleep, finding the right combination is not only helpful to the child but to parents as well.

Comments

  1. Very informative post... My 2 yr old sleeps in until 10 or even 11. She sleeps late sometimes thats why I give her the benefit of sleeping in. hehehe! I tried setting bed time routine for her but i guess it's my fault i'm not very consistent about it.

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  2. I agree Ms.Joy..during the day I don't let my kids go to sleep so at night they would sleep early..8 p.m. lights off and they would sleep like a log hehehe..passing by po Ms.Joy..*hugs* ;)

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  3. Nice Ms Joy! Hope I can use this once I have my 1st baby! Do you also have tips for us, adults? Ahahahaha! ^_^v

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  4. I need this for myself but I am not a kid anymore. Haha. I usually had hard times getting into sleep. I think the best way is to set consistent time time of sleeping. Kids usually have routines. If they will be taught of the best time of sleeping, eventually, they will get used to it. For me, it is also a way of imparting discipline.

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  5. Sometimes I agree with the sounds. My mom can't sleep without his fortable radio

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  6. I can't sleep with the sounds in the room .i tried it once to my son,it works well .I agree with the black out curtains ,bed time routines . My little one takes a nap(2-3 hrs) during the day and have a routine bed time(8 pm ).He is in bed  with me at 8 pm and fell asleep around 8:30 to 9 pm .

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  7. Thanks for the great tips! This is a challenge for us as well - having 2 kids, a 3.5 year-old and a 5 month old baby.

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  8. thanks Kaye :) hope to see you around again :) keep on visiting :)

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  9. same here, even us adults sleep early for our youngest son to hit the sack early too hihi
    Sie, you had perfectly penned your fibonacci, congratulations!

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  10. ahaha, hey Bea, i joined your giveaway :) crossing my fingers and eyes for luck lol

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  11. Hello Noks, congrats for winning in the recent Phil. Blog Awards, you deserved it boy! followed you on twitter :)

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  12. same with my Mom, she is hooked up to his favorite radio station, even before sleeping she had her portable radio on ahaha

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  13. Hello sis Tess, once a sleeping routine is established, it really becomes a habit :)

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  14. hello Sebs, nice to see you in my blog :) keep on visiting please :)

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