If you’re a parent, you know that it’s not always easy putting your baby or kiddo to bed. And who can really blame them; sometimes life is too exciting and you don’t want to miss a thing. But as all good parents know, sleep is imperative for brain development in our children, not to mention lack of proper sleep can also propel their cranky attitudes. Here are some fun tips to help get your kids to sleep, and stay asleep, minus the struggle.
Get a white noise machine. White noise machines are great for little babies and young kids who have a hard time falling and staying asleep. White noise machines help to mask other noises that can be distracting (from their siblings, you doing work around the house, or the garbage truck outside), and can also mimic their mothers heartbeat, which is especially soothing for restless babies. There are also white noise machines that have nature or lullaby options, which can be calming and nostalgic for kids. Examples include rain and thunder, waves, and summer night. Simply put your kids to bed and turn on the white noise machine. It should help their brains to wind down, relax, and slip into sleep.
Make sure your child takes a warm bath or shower before bed time. Warm baths help to soothe the body’s muscles, which in turn can help the mind to relax. Instead of rushing through bath time to get them clean and in bed or letting your kid use bath time as play time, try to make it a more relaxing experience. Use bath products that incorporate soothing scents like lavender (which has been known to promote sleepiness), and slowly wash your child's hair and body, almost like a massage. Take this time to wind down and relax, so that by the time they’re done and dressed in their pajamas, they’ll mentally be more ready to sleep.
Make sure you have the proper mattress. No wonder your child isn’t excited for bedtime if they don’t have a comfortable mattress to sleep on. Especially while their bodies are growing, it’s important to make sure your child's head, neck, and spine are properly supported for the eight hours that they sleep a night. Bed-in-a-box mattresses are great because they’re typically on the cheaper side since they cut out retailers and sell direct to the consumer. They’re also super easy to set up, and surprisingly very comfortable. One online mattress brand that seems to be gaining in popularity is Purple. According to this Purple mattress review, their beds use a gel-like material that children tend to love because it’s flexible yet supportive. This bed also only has a little bit of bounce to it, so hopefully there won’t be any little monkeys flying off the bed. If your child isn’t excited for bedtime, a new mattress to try out should do the trick, because what kid doesn’t like new things?
Last but not least, try the good old fashion warm glass of milk. Cow’s milk actually contains an amino acid called tryptophan (also found in turkey), which helps to promote serotonin, which is a serenity-boosting chemical in the brain. Warming it up helps sooth the body from the inside out, and helps the mind to register that it’s time for bed. It doesn’t always have to be cow’s milk, either, even though it contains the tryptophan amino acid. Sometimes there is just something nice and relaxing about sipping on a warm and creamy drink at night, and falling asleep with it in your stomach (this can also help your babes stay asleep longer). Feel free to experiment with coconut milk, almond milk, or rice milk, depending on what your child prefers. But don’t be surprised when they start asking for this every night, because it really is that good.
Feel free to incorporate one or more of these tactics to help your child get ready for bedtime. Use these tips to help create a routine, as many studies have shown that nighttime routines are beneficial for both children and adults when it comes to falling asleep. Your child will begin to associate a warm bath and white noise with bedtime, and hopefully, it will help you to wind down, as well.
This post was written by Kelsie Longerbeam, a sleep enthusiast at the Slumber Yard, which operates a popular YouTube channel and website that reviews sleep products.
No comments:
Post a Comment