Q. I would like to know how I could get my child to sleep sooner when I send her to bed? Though we’ve been following a proper routine of washing up and changing pajamas- drinking milk – read bed time stories on the bed- switch off the lights, our child still does not sleep early. What do we do?
Dear parent,
Creating a consistent bed time routine does help. We have to decide what time the child goes to sleep. Is it 8.00pm or 9.00pm. Stick to that. Have a clock or timer to remind that it’s Bed Time.
Secondly, children are very active by nature. They should not be over active at least 2 hours before bed time. If they watch TV programmes or play in a vigorous manner, their body takes a long time to calm down. Their brains will be too active to go to sleep. We need to create a sleep inducing environment for them. Do not get them to be stressed with anything before going to bed. Here are some sleep inducing ideas; Soft bedsheets, darker room with dimmed light, their favourite soft toy which they sleep with will make it easier to fall asleep.
Tell them stories which does not make them ask a lot of questions as these sort of questions will activate their brains. We need to calm them down. Maybe a relaxing music can be on the background.
Giving them a cuddle is fine. But, if you have given them the cuddle with warmth for a longer time, they may get too used to that warmth and will be longing for that. We need to decide and communicate how much cuddle is enough for them to go to sleep. Be consistent with whatever you do
Comments