Rhiannon from Happy Linen Company shares tips on ways to help get the little ones to sleep.
Getting your child to sleep can be a challenge at the best of times, with most kids and of course parents experiencing late nights and disturbed sleeping patterns.
Simple things can make a big difference to a kid’s sleeping schedule. After speaking to many parents and gaining insight into their top sleeping tips, we’ll be going through some of the ways a child’s bedroom décor, environment, and daily routine can impact their sleep.
Environment
A child’s bedroom environment can play a role in the little one not getting settled at night. Something as simple as the placement of the bed can have an impact — we recommend putting the headboard against the far wall, so it can be seen clearly from the door. This actually helps your little one feel like they have more command and control over their environment.
It’s always a good start to try and have a colour scheme and theme that complements your child’s personality. Having an environment that they love will help encourage little ones to go to bed and be in a space they know belongs to them. However, avoid too many bright colours on the walls as this can stimulate their mind, but a few bright accessories, such as bedding, bunting or curtains can really give the space character. Having some stickers on the wall also provides a focus for the little one to look at as they drift off.
We know it’s so easy to accumulate things when you have young kids, but if you can, try and keep clutter to a minimum. Just like bright colours, too much clutter can overstimulate your child’s mind and make it harder for them to fall asleep. To help them drift off easier, items such as toys should be put away. A couple of storage boxes, bags, or bins should help keep everything organised.
Air quality and temperature can also have an impact on the little ones getting settled. Air quality is very important for sleep, so it’s important to let air circulate throughout your home during the day by opening some windows and doors. You could also consider adding a few air purifying plants, such as peace lillies to their room. Keeping the room cool, but not cold has also proven to help the kids stay rested. If your little one is a baby or toddler, the best temperature to have their bedroom at is around 18°—21°C, according to Sleep Advisor. However, if they’re a little bit older, then it’s perfectly fine for their room to be a little colder (around 15°–22°C).
Get them moving in the day
Kids often have lots of energy, far more so than us adults. So, it’s important that they are burning that energy throughout the day. Mellissa, a mum of 2, has found a simple way to ensure her kids are tired by the end of the day. She suggests having a dedicated slot in the afternoon to run around the garden and be more active in that time. Or alternatively you can spend that time building an indoor den, going for a bike ride or playing a big game of hide and seek to help burn that excess energy.
Make a bed time plan
Routine is a major component of getting the kids to bed successfully. Implementing a routine is one thing, but actually getting the little ones to stick to it is another. Many parents opt to use a bedtime rewards chart to make it a more enjoyable experience. Not only will the kids love it, but it will help track their progress! You can take it a step further and reward them with a small treat at the end of the week if they’re kept to the routine. Having a routine that involves the whole family and not just the kids can also help. Making bedtime a family event can help the younger kids follow the lead of older siblings but also parents — making them feel less singled out!
Click here to download Happy Linen Company’s nighttime rewards chart.
These are just a few tips to improve the kids sleeping schedules, there will be many more out there that we’re sure will be worth trying. If you have any sleep tips, we’d love to hear them. Send us a message on any of our social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. @happylinenco
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