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Sleep tips and tricks
Here are some relatively quick and easy things that you can change almost immediately that may just help your child sleep better!
Bedroom decor
Does your child have a beautifully decorated or themed bedroom, perhaps filled with soft toys, model dinosaurs, or even murals and posters that reflect their interests? While these things can make a bedroom feel fun and personal, it’s worth considering how the room feels once the lights go out. For a child with an active imagination, familiar objects can sometimes appear a little frightening in the dark. Toys and posters that seem friendly in daylight may take on a more unsettling look at night. To help create a sleep space that feels calm and safe, it may be helpful to tuck some toys away in a cupboard or drawer at bedtime.
Bedtime routine
Creating a bedtime routine is one of the simplest and most effective ways to support healthy sleep habits. A consistent routine gives your child clear cues that it’s time to wind down, helping to regulate their body clock and support natural melatonin production. The routine doesn’t need to be long, just 15 minutes can be enough, but it should include calm activities, such as a bedtime story, or for older children, something gentle like colouring. Keep the lights dim to signal that sleep is approaching, and if your child struggles with separation anxiety, a few extra cuddles can really help. The key is to make the routine consistent, predictable, low-key, and, most importantly, enjoyable.
Too hyper to sleep?
This can be a tricky one to unravel, as there are several reasons why a toddler or child might be full of energy at bedtime. The key is to work out what applies to your little one. Sometimes, it’s simply that they haven’t been active enough during the day and still have energy to burn, or that bedtime is just a little too early for them. But it can also be the opposite - an overtired child often struggles just as much to settle. A bedtime that’s too late, missed or shortened naps, or stimulating activities too close to bedtime can all tip a child into overtiredness. Do you think one of these scenarios might be true for your child?
More tips coming soon...
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