Sleep can seem elusive to kids, and this can have a negative impact on their education, general health, and happiness. However, whether it is worries or insomnia that is preventing your child from sleeping well, here are some of the top steps to help your child to get a better night’s sleep no matter what is preventing them from sweet dreams.
Invest In a Weighted Blanket
Weighted blankets can help your child to get a better night’s sleep due to their ability to stay in place during the night, providing comfort that can keep your child wrapped up warm from night until morning. Not only can they help to relax your child, but they can also be excellent options for children who struggle to sleep due to autism and anxiety. The pressure of weighted blankets has also been known to produce serotonin in the brain, which can help to regulate your child’s sleep cycle. When looking for a blanket, the YnM weighted blanket comes in sizes fit for children and is a great option for a weighted blanket that provides kids with the comfort needed for an excellent night’s sleep.
Try Essential Oils
If you are looking for alternative ways to aid your child with their sleeping problem, why not look at trying essential oils, as there are many suggestions that essential oils can help your children to sleep? For instance, chamomile is often used to help both babies and adults sleep due to its calming nature, allowing kids to get better sleep naturally. Other safe options for babies and children include traditional oils such as lavender, which you can sprinkle on their pillow. However, you should always remember to dilute these effectively with a carrier oil.
Add a Nightlight
Recent reports have suggested that two out of three children have struggled to sleep under the age of 10, and many of these find sleeping difficult due to anxiety and nighttime fears, such as that of the dark. Then, to help your kids to sleep better, you should consider finding ways to prevent anxiety over sleep, such as adding a night light in their room or leaving the hallway light on to prevent their room from being pitch black. You can also calm nightly fears by talking to your children about what is worrying them and attempting to find a solution before bed, or creating a worry toy or doll to whom your children can speak their worries to.
Create a Nightly Routine
School-age children should get between 9-11 hours of sleep a day, and the best way to help them to achieve this is to create a nightly routine that can get them into the habit of sleeping and relax them before bed. This routine should include actions such as a warm bath and brushing their teeth, as this can not only help them to relax but also prevents health issues, such as tooth decay.
Relax Before Bed (screens)
You should also help your children to relax before bed and prepare their body for sleep, and there are many ways that you can do this. Rather than allow them to watch and play on screens late at night, where the blue light may interfere with their sleep patterns, you should limit screen time before bed. Instead, you should encourage your kids to participate in relaxing activities, such as reading a book, or listening to calming background music while they try to sleep. There are also many breathing exercises that can help children to sleep easily, calming their breathing and helping them to slow their heart rate down.
Ensure Their Bedroom Promotes Sleep
Your children’s bedroom should also be a safe space that promotes a good sleeping pattern, and this means that screens should be kept outside the room. Instead, your child’s bedroom should be dark at night time, with blackout curtains to prevent excess light from entering. You should also consider painting your children’s walls in calming colors to help them to drift off, such as blues, which do not stimulate the brain as much as bright shades like reds.
Visit a GP
If your child is still struggling to sleep, it is important that you visit a local doctor as soon as possible to ensure that you can get expert advice on your individual child’s issues. Not only will they be able to determine the root cause, but they will be able to help to prescribe your child with a treatment that suits them.
Although sleep can seem like it is far off, it is possible to provide aid to children who are struggling to develop good sleeping habits. Whatever is keeping them awake, these steps can help children to find a way to drift off that suits them and their individual sleeping patterns.
