Getting a child to sleep can be a challenge at times. And when they’re ill, it can be even worse. So here are some tips on how you can get your child into the habit of sleeping so everyone can enjoy a restful night.
Establish a routine
Your child has a biological clock and you can help set it! By making sure they’re put to bed and woken up at the same time every day, they will slip into the routine naturally.
You can also encourage this clock on lighter evenings by darkening a room with thicker curtains and, on dark mornings, by putting on the lights!
If your child follows an established pattern every evening – say, a bath, a story, a cuddle then lights out - the arrival of bath time will start to set their sleep wheels in motion.
Make sure they’re comfortable
A comfortable night’s sleep depends on a comfortable bed. Make sure their mattress, bedding and pyjamas are comfortable and their room isn’t too hot or too cold.
Make sure they’re tired
Nothing encourages sleep more than being physically tired. Getting them to play rather than watch TV will go a long way towards getting them ready for a refreshing night’s sleep. But remember that activity just before bedtime will have the opposite effect – they’ll want to keep going! – so make sure they relax for the hour before bed.
There’s nothing wrong with naps
You may think that a nap in the day will make them less sleepy at night. Not so. Children need to recharge their batteries during the day, otherwise tiredness will make them grumpy – and grumpy kids aren’t keen on sleeping!
Try and keep the noise down
It might seem obvious, but if your child can hear the TV downstairs it could keep them awake. But don’t go for complete silence; some children are comforted by familiar sounds.
Dealing with early risers
If your child tends to get up earlier than you’d like, try putting them to bed later. Once a sleep pattern is established, they will continue to require the same amount of sleep each night.
When they’re ill
A key element in getting through any illness is a good night’s sleep. It gives the body time to recuperate naturally, and allows your child an escape from the misery that a cold or flu
can bring during the day.