Sleep 4 Kids

How to sleep better, sleeping tips for children

• Have a light snack
• Take a bath
• Put on pyjamas
• Brush teeth
• Read a story
• Make sure the room is quiet and at a comfortable temperature
• Put your child to bed
• Say goodnight and leave
• Have your child form positive associations with sleeping alone on their own. The child can then fall asleep on their own once awaken during the night
• Make bedtime the same time every night
• Make bedtime a positive and relaxing experience without TV or videos. According to one recent study, TV viewing prior to bed can lead to difficulty falling and staying asleep. Save your child's favourite relaxing, non-stimulating activities until last and have them occur in the child's bedroom
• Keep the bedtime environment (e.g. light, temperature) the same all night long
• Babies should be put to sleep on their backs. According to the "Back to Sleep" program, this lowers the risk of dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends that parents should avoid placing young children to sleep on a water bed, sofa, pillow, soft mattress or other soft surfaces

Nap and nighttime sleep are both necessary and independent of each other, according to national sleep foundation. Children who nap well are usually less cranky and sleep better at night. Although children differ, after six months of age, naps of 1/2 to two hours duration are expected and are generally discontinued between ages 2-5 years. Daytime sleepiness or the need for a nap after this age should be investigated further.