Advertorial
Kids expend heaps of energy on a daily basis, so sleep is the single most important way their minds and bodies can rest and repair, ready for the next day.
So, of course, we can start to worry when they don’t seem to be getting enough of it. However, often there IS a good reason why they just can’t seem to nod off – so to help you, we’ve identified five possible root causes:
1. They might actually be overtired
The whole concept of being overtired is confusing; surely the more tired they are the more they’ll sleep? Not so, and there’s even a science to it: when we’re overtired, our adrenaline kicks in, keeping us alert. Help your overtired child wind down by rocking them in their room or sitting with them in their bed quietly – your goal is to make them as calm and relaxed as possible.
2. The room might not be dark enough
If your child’s room is too bright, either at night or in the morning, their sleep might be disrupted. Proper darkness is needed for a good night’s sleep, so try thicker curtains or blackout blinds to make their room more sleep-friendly.
3. They may be over-excited
A wind-down period before bedtime is a must, so your child can get into bed feeling relaxed, calm and ready for sleep. So that means no stimulating activities before bed like watching TV, playing video games or even scrolling through a tablet. Instead, encourage them to try a relaxing activity like reading or colouring quietly
4. They might have a virus
A cold or flu can have a huge impact on the quality of your child’s sleep. The symptoms, like sniffles, a stuffy nose and a fever don’t exactly aid a restful sleep, so you might find your little one is irritable, upset and overtired. For gentle pain and fever relief use Infant liquid paracetamol (such as Calpol Infant). To ease their breathing at night to help them sleep a little more comfortable, try using Calpol Vapour Plug. It’s an electrical device and is non-medicated, that releases soothing lavender and chamomile vapours for up to 8 hours, providing comfort for your little one throughout the night.
5. There’s no bedtime routine
A bedtime routine can work wonders in helping your child wind down. Consistency is key; sticking to the same schedule each night will help your child know it’s time to nod off, and will prevent them from becoming over-stimulated. Try a trial period of the same routine every evening, like washing, brushing teeth, getting into PJs, reading a story and then cuddling down to sleep.
