June 20, 2019
Helping Your Kids Sleep Better
- Make sure they have a bedtime and bedtime routine. This is important for people of all ages, but especially for kids. Children typically need more sleep than adults and thrive on routine. Our brains and bodies start to relax naturally for bedtime if it is consistent every night, this is the same with kids.
- Focus not on getting your child to fall asleep, but spend time before they go to bed focusing on relaxing. Some kids may resist sleep, but enjoy a warm bath, calming essential oils and a bedtime story. Without actually mentioning what’s happening, your kid might be so relaxed and calm that the will fall asleep on his or her own.
- Turn off the television before you think you need to. Sleep researchers say about 2 hours before bed is an appropriate time to turn off the TV. At that point, your child’s brain will start producing melatonin (which doesn’t happen when they’re interacting with blue-light devices). Children will wind down easier for bed without interacting with phones and tv’s beforehand.
- Provide protection from their fears. While some children’s anxiety might seem trivial to adults, they are real and present to your kid. Reassure your child on all of their pre-bed fears, even if they come up often. If that doesn’t work, you may have to get creative and make up a solution to their perceived problem so that they can relax and sleep.
- If issues with sleep persist, or if your child has recurring nightmares or sleep terrors, consult with a doctor. Many sleep disorders in children are overlooked because they present differently than adults. It’s worth checking in with a professional if you are concerned.