Child Sleep
Helping Your Child Sleep Healthily and Regularly
As a parent, is it your job to teach your child sleep habits that are essential to his or her own health and growth. When it comes to children and sleep, the bottom line is that healthy and regular sleeping habits ensure not only peak alertness, memory and performance, but also help prevent a number of behavioral problems and psychiatric issues including moodiness and depression. To help your child sleep healthily and regularly, consider the following tips.
Children and Sleep – Helpful Tips for Healthy Sleep
The first and foremost tip to help your child sleep well is to establish a nighttime routine. A typical bedtime routine could include a light snack, a bath, time for them to put on pajamas and brush their teeth, and perhaps a bedtime story. A ritual in this fashion will make it easier for your child to relax, fall asleep quickly and stay asleep through the night. In addition to a bedtime routine, the following tips will also help your child sleep deeply and restfully:
- Put your child to bed the same time every night, even on the weekends.
- Restrict television watching while encouraging a positive and relaxing experience at bedtime. Save non-stimulating activities for bedtime and have them occur in your child’s bedroom.
- Keep a conducive bedtime environment throughout the night with a cool temperature and the lights off.
- Encourage children to sleep on their own, as they will be better able to return to sleep after nighttime awakenings.
- Put your child to bed when drowsy, but awake.
- Allow naps up to two hours during the day for children under the age of 5.
Sleep.com also offers helpful tips on baby sleep, teenagers and sleep, as well as anything and everything you need to know about sleep.
If you are concerned that your child may have a sleeping disorder consult with your doctor for professional diagnosis and treatment.
Disclaimer: Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements and products are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease.
