Getting young children to sleep and stay asleep is one of the most daunting tasks of parenthood. Even parents of “good” sleepers can face struggles at naptime or bedtime from time to time.
Check out our list of some common mistakes that parents make when it comes to their kids getting enough sleep:
Putting kids to bed too late.
The result of later bedtimes is more bedtime battles, nap difficulties and night waking. When children become overtired, they have a harder time falling asleep and staying asleep, and they get up earlier than if they were put down at an appropriate time. Set regular bedtimes and stick to them. Don’t wait until your child can’t keep his eyes open as that’s far too late.
Overstimulation in dreamland.
It’s not just babies who can be over stimulated before bedtime, if older children have too many toys in the bed or other distractions, they may not be getting the sleep they need. Remove all distractions and they will get a more peaceful night’s sleep. Keep it dark, in order to ensure the maximum amount of sleep. If your child is afraid of the dark, a soft nightlight will soothe any fears. Keep electronics, like TVs, computers and laptops out of the way.
Skipping the bedtime routine.
A comforting bedtime ritual is key to making sure that your little one gets a restful night’s sleep. Regardless of your child’s age, it’s important to a comforting bedtime routine. With your primary school child, this could mean a bath, reading a book and lights out.
Inconsistency.
Being inconsistent will mean that your child simply won’t get the hang of a bedtime routine. It’s important to establish rules early on. If your child keeps getting into bed with you, bring them back out and tuck them into their own bed. Consistency will eventually garner results.
Read more: The connection between sleep and growth
