5 Tips And Tricks For Getting Kids To Sleep At Night

Sleep deprivation isn’t just a grown-up problem; kids are having trouble falling and staying asleep as well. Bedtime seems like a recurring nightmare for most parents. And, when kids can’t sleep, it can cause a strain on everybody and lead to poor sleep for the entire household. Quality sleep is particularly important for kids as they are still developing physically and mentally. Here a few tips and tricks to help you have successful bedtimes with your kids, and for getting kids to sleep at night.

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Tips and Tricks for Getting Kids to Sleep at Night

Know How Much Sleep Your Child Needs

Kids’ sleep patterns vary depending on their age and sleep needs. Knowing the amount of sleep your child needs to wake up refreshed enables you to set an appropriate bedtime. For instance, newborns need up to 18 hours of sleep, while young children need 11 hours of sleep at night and some nap during the day. Some kids, however, have sleep patterns that don’t change. An early riser will still wake up early even if they go to bed late while a night owl will only fall asleep once their body is ready.

Make a Consistent Bedtime a Routine

Routine is especially important for kids as it gives them a sense of control and security. Having a regular relaxing bedtime routine signals your child of what’s coming next and helps them to develop sleep associations that allow them to fall asleep much faster. There’s no single routine that works for all kids, but a typical one includes taking a relaxing bath, putting on pyjamas, brushing teeth, story time, and goodnight kisses. Sooner or later, your child will automatically begin to feel sleepy at the beginning of their bedtime routine.

Create a Sleep-inducing Environment

Your child’s sleep environment should help promote sleep. It’s always best to keep the room dark, cool, and quiet. But some kids are afraid of the dark, in which case a dim light is acceptable. If your child can’t sleep in silence or you want to keep outside noise away, invest in a small fan or a white noise machine. Your child’s bed should also be as comfortable as possible. The ideal mattress for your child should be soft, made of durable and safe materials, washable, waterproof, have the right support type, and the correct size, just to mention a few.

No Food after Dinner

Your child should have a healthy, satisfying meal at a reasonable time. Being too full or feeling hungry before bed will only make them uncomfortable or alert. Sometimes your child might ask for a snack before bedtime. While this can help their bodies stay fuelled through the night, make sure they are healthy and not filling. Healthy options include a piece of fruit, crackers, or even a warm glass of milk.

Rule Out Sleep Disorders

If, in spite of your best efforts your kid keeps having difficulty falling and staying asleep, they may have a sleep disorder. Be on the lookout for signs of sleep disorders by closely monitoring your child’s sleeping behaviours and patterns. You may also notice changes in their daytime behaviour, like being overtired, cranky, or sleepy. Talk to your paediatrician about your concerns. They may end up referring you to a child psychologist or another expert who can help.

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