5 habits for a stress free bedtime for your child

Sleep hygiene is important for everyone, from childhood through adulthood. A good sleep hygiene routine promotes healthy sleep and daytime alertness. Good sleep hygiene practices can prevent the development of sleep problems and disorders.

Having said about the importance of a good sleep , it is undoubtedly very crucial for a child’s development to have a healthy and good sleep routine. Many parents face difficulty in putting their children to sleep. This happens primarily due to two reasons .The first being that most children find sleeping a boring and dull activity. They would rather choose a more fun and active way to spend their time. Second being when the children are in an inertia and actively playing they find it difficult to stop.

A prerequisite for setting up a bedtime routine for children is that the parents must be patient and never hurry or hasten up a child to sleep quickly. An anxious parent always transfers the anxiety to the child who in turn find it even more difficult to relax. To set up a routine takes some time and the parent and the caregiver must be well aware of this.

Some steps to make the bedtime a stress free and a pleasant experience for both the child and the care providers:

Habit 1: Fixed routine for your child, every day of the week

All children crave for routine. Parents must stick ensure fixed sleeping and waking up time for children. Routine comforts children and makes them feel secure.Stick to the same pattern everyday of the week even if its the weekend.

Habit 2: A bedtime ritual

Cuddling a toy , pillow etc , reading a book , listening to a lullaby or a daily bedtime kiss are some of the few examples of a ritual. Following the same every single day helps a child know what to expect and what is expected of him.Dedicate 20 minutes of quiet pleasant bedtime activities dedicated to sleep. The child will learn to associate these activities with sleep.

Habit 3: No napping for children above 4

Napping during the day is essential for kids less than 4 years old. But one can avoid giving a nap to the child once he is 4. A child who doesn’t naps during the day is more likely to have a sound sleep at night.

Habit 4: Make sure the child is not overtired

During the first week of setting up a routine, put your child to bed only when she is tired, and will not resist sleeping. But make sure that the child is not overly tired because that would also interfere with sleeping. An overtired body releases the hormone ‘cortisol’, which interferes with sleeping pattern of your child.

Habit 5: Stick to your word

In enforcing discipline , a parent must always remember his words are gold. Say something only when you know you can stick to it. And once said you must stick to it. If you have told your child that after reading a book he has to sleep make sure you don’t end up reading another book just because the child is forcing you.