Difficulty Getting Your Child to Sleep at Night? Try These Tips
Do you have a child that struggles with bedtime? Do they get up numerous times throughout the evening? Some children have difficulty with transitioning to a normal sleep pattern, throughout the night. Creating a routine of good sleep habits is important to begin at a young age. If you have trouble with creating a sleep routine for your child, consider these sleep improvement tips.
Provide them with a comfortable bed
Comfort is a huge factor in receiving a good night of sleep. Think about if you have ever been too hot, too cold, or experienced any chronic aches or pains. You probably had trouble getting comfortable and falling asleep. Your child may be uncomfortable in their bed. Find out what they prefer and create a space for them that caters to their needs. If they tend to get too hot or cold throughout the night, change around their kids fitted sheets types.
You can also increase the comfort of the bedding by adding or decreasing the number of pillows, increased the thread count of the waterproof sheets for babies, and utilizing potty training sheets for children who may still have accidents. Waterproof crib sheets can be effective in keeping younger babies dry and comfortable in their cribs. Sometimes, adding natural oils or scents to the waterproof sheets for babies can also encourage sleep. Roughly three quarters of Americans say they get a more comfortable night?s sleep on sheets with a fresh scent.
Create a routine at bedtime
Creating a routine that is done every single night before bed can trick the mind into being tired. It can also prepare a young child for understanding that it is time for bed. The specific routine that you utilize will depend on your child?s age. Older children should create a routine of bathing, brushing teeth, and reading a book before bed. Younger babies, however, may require activities like a warm bath, massaging oils, and then singing.
Babies need two to three baths a week in warm, not hot, water to stay clean. The first step to a great baby bath is to find the perfect temperature and then fill the bathtub with no more than 2 to 3 inches. However, a bath can be a great bedtime routine. Place your baby into a warm bath, not always for cleaning purposes, but to notify them that it is almost time for bed. After the warm bath, move them onto their waterproof sheets for babies.
Be aware of any medical conditions
Sometimes, there are medical conditions that are preventing sleep from occurring. A common medical condition that can hinder sleep quality is that of allergies. If your child suffers from allergies, they may find it difficult to sleep because of chronic congestion or headaches. Consider using a humidifier and changing out traditional waterproof sheets for hypoallergenic waterproof mattress protectors. Waterproof sheets for babies can also come in hypoallergenic form.
Some babies will also suffer from an inability to sleep. If they are also crying a lot, they may have colic. Colic is a chronic crying condition that is rather common in the United States. If you are struggling with understanding your child?s cries, or are unable to get them to sleep throughout the night for many months, consider discussing this with your child?s medical provider. Newborns should be sleeping a total of 10.5 to 18 hours per day. Although this sleep schedule will not always be consistent, it is important that they are getting some sleep.
It can be tough as a parent, especially when it seems like your child never sleeps. There are actually many factors that can contribute to a sleepless child. It is your job, as a parent, to understand what is affecting their sleep, and attempt to fix it. They may require more comfortable bedding, temperature controls in their room, a strict bedtime routine, or there may be an underlying medical condition that is affecting their ability to get a good night of sleep.
