It comes as no surprise that some parents need to go through a huge deal to put their little monkeys to bed. Kids are energy powerhouses and as much as some kids fall asleep easily, some just refuse to settle down. Here are a few tips and tricks to get a good sleep routine for you and your little one.
Know how much sleep your child should be getting: Different age groups need a varying amount of sleep. Below is the chart given by The American Academy of Pediatrics.
| Age | Recommended sleep hours per 24 Hours |
| Infants(4 to 12 months) | 12 to 16 hours including daytime naps. |
| Toddlers(1 to 2 years) | 11 to 14 hours including daytime naps. |
| Pre-schoolers(3 to 5 years) | 10 to 13 hours including a single daytime nap |
| Grade schoolers(6 to 12 years) | 9 to 12 hours |
| Teens | 8 to 10 hours. |
Make a bedtime routine: One of the easiest and the simplest but a super-effective strategy. It helps their brain understand that it’s time to slow down as bedtime is approaching. There is no single routine that suits every individual, but here’s a general idea – Brush, book, bed. It includes brushing their teeth, changing into their comfy pajamas and then storytime – the classic parent-child bonding activity. Moreover, consistency is the key, so try and follow the same routine every day.
Set the ambiance right: Start to dim the lights, turn off the electronics, stop pacey movements and avoid talking loudly 15-30 minutes before the actual bedtime. This makes them wind-down well in advance and makes it easier for them to fall asleep.
Make sure they feel secure: Nothing is impossible in their imagination, from dragons coming up and eating them up at night to some witch converting them into a statue. These thoughts can prevent them from sleeping, or worse make them get up in the middle of the night. So let them have a soft toy with them which they can snuggle or have their favorite superhero poster on the wall which they know will protect them from anything and everything.
Talk it out: Your child could be having some problem you have no clue about. If they suffer from insomnia despite these measures its time you had a little chat with them. Ask them about anything that’s bothering them, or if they are scared of something. Help them deal with it. Do not ridicule them or ignore them if its something silly. Let them feel you’ll are in this together as a team!!
Do not encourage poor sleep habits: You could be totally ready to hit the hay but the kid refuses to sleep, and you might want to just get done with the work. But that shouldn’t mean that they are getting addicted to bad sleeping habits like sleeping while watching TV or playing games on their iPad or with loud music on. These won’t do any long term good.
These tasks do take up some time and effort, but it’s well worth time. Remember, consistency is the key. Happy sleeping!!
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