Getting children on a sleep routine is one task every parent gets to undergo as they bring up their kids. How to get children to bed is one concern that not many parents have been able to deal with as this is a somewhat difficult mission- getting kids to bed every night.

The interesting part of this is that you will be unable to sleep until these kids are asleep, especially when they are newborns, infants, toddlers, preschool, and school age-say about age 0-12, these are the real deal.

Children require more sleep than adults. However, if they don’t go to bed in good time, it can rub on their parents’ wellbeing. So, for both parents and kids to get enough rest and sleep, there is a need for the parents to learn to get their children on a sleep routine. Now the big question, how do you get children to sleep at night? How do you keep them on a sleep routine? Here we have simple tips that can help you and your kids have more nights of great comfort.

Set a bedtime and wake-up time
As adults, we create a sleep routine for ourselves to help us manage our day adequately. Doing this for your children isn’t a bad idea as long as you have a grasp of the amount of sleep that is adequate for your kid’s age. A routine can help to reduce the stress of getting kids to bed and waking them up every morning. By nature, children adapt to regular patterns and with consistency, their body clock adjusts to the routine created for sleeping and waking up.

Just before their set sleep time, turn off television, computers and put aside gadgets that transmits blue lights- you can give them a warm bath and read bedtime stories to them. The important thing is that the routine is not changed, you need to be consistent if this must work for you and your kids.

Avoid certain meals before bedtime
Sometimes, children get hungry even after dinner or demand things to eat moments before their bedtime. As parents, you should know when to say yes or no to a child’s request, especially when you don’t want them to bed wet. If you must give them something to much shortly before bedtime, make sure it’s a healthy snack and a nourishing drink.

Caffeine is not proper for children especially at night, it contains stimulants that can alter their sleep routine. Instead, give them healthy foods or fruits if they have to eat something a few hours to their sleep time.

Make the sleeping environment comfortable
Many times we talk about getting the right mattress, but children also need the right mattress and a great sleep environment to enjoy quality sleep. This means that there is a way a child’s room would be designed and it will help the child fall asleep with so much ease.

Depending on the age of the child, not all kids would require a dark room. Also, some kids might get scared if the room is too quiet, therefore, you can stay with the child and wait till he/she falls asleep before you exit the room. What is important is for you to make your children’s room an abode that’s suitable for them to easily fall sleep, keep it tidy, and teach them to maintain it.

Engage them
You need to engage your children in activities that keep them stimulated and fit so that they easily wind down at night when it’s time to sleep. Ensure they get regular exercise, play with other kids when they have to at the same time, get enough rest.


Help alleviate fears
Children are easily scared by different things. Some are scared of ghosts, monsters, and the many things they see in movies. You can help them address their fears by simply reassuring them that nothing can come after them. Of course, you should do this in the day while you converse with them. Ask them about their fears and reassure them where necessary.

Turn off screens
Earlier, we talked about putting off screens before bedtime. According to a 2017 study,” Watching TV, playing video games, or scrolling web pages on a phone or computer right before bed keep your child up an extra 30 to 60 minutes.” Therefore, put away items that transmit these blue rays at least an hour or two before bedtime.

Lookout for sleep disorder
The problem might be a sleep disorder. Watch out for this, and address it as soon as possible. Expert Mitchell says, if your child has trouble falling asleep, has persistent nightmares, snores, or breathes through their mouth, they might have a sleep disorder.” You can try to keep your kids on a sleep routine, but if there is a sleep disorder that is not addressed, it certainly will frustrate your effort to help your kids enjoy quality sleep at night. Lookout for sleep disorder and quickly schedule an appointment with a pediatrician when the need arises.

source: https://www.wincofoam.com/how-to-get-your-kids-on-a-sleep-routine-winco-sleep-clinic/

Nice one