Do you struggle with getting your kids to sleep at night? Here are some tips and tricks to make bedtime easier for everyone.
Bedtime is often one of the most stressful times of the day for parents. Nearly every parent struggles at some point with getting their child to sleep at a reasonable hour with no complaints. Although kids often argue about when they should go to bed, we know that young children need much more sleep than adults. For those times when putting your children to bed is a struggle, here are some tips and tricks to help you out.
How Much Sleep Should Your Child Get?
First, you should know how many hours your kids should be sleeping, which varies by age. In general, toddlers from ages 1-3 need about 12-14 hours, ages 3-6 need about 11-12 hours, ages 7-12 need 10-12, and teenagers from ages 13-18 need about 8-10 hours. Kids of every age often don’t get enough sleep, which can cause have negative effects on their health, energy levels, and overall wellbeing. Most children won’t get the recommended amount of sleep every night of the year, but it’s crucial to try to get them to sleep as close to the recommended amount as possible. Now that you know how much sleep your child should be getting, let’s look at some tips and tricks for bedtime.
A Bedtime Routine
One of the best ways to signify the body for sleep is to have a bedtime routine. A nightly routine helps kids develop sleep associations, and helps their mind and body prepare for sleep. Start a “wind-down” period about 15-30 minutes before the actual routine, as this further helps kids realize it’s almost time for sleep. This includes turning off electronics, dimming the lights, and playing relaxing music throughout your home. The bedtime routine itself often includes a relaxing bath or shower, depending on their age, getting into comfy pajamas, brushing their teeth, and getting tucked into bed for story time.
Turn Off Electronics
Electronics are a major reason why people, including younger kids, aren’t getting enough sleep. Bedrooms often have a TV in them, and many teens have cell phones and tablets that they keep by their bed. They may not like it at first, but turning electronics off about an hour before bed will help that sleep much better, and will improve their overall wellbeing in the long run. The devices promote wakefulness that tricks the mind into staying awake and can keep them up hours after you think they’re asleep.
Sleep Better With A New Mattress From All American Mattress!
At All American Mattress, we have the expertise and great prices to help you choose the perfect pillows and foam mattress for your bedroom. We have mattresses and bed frames available made from a variety of materials to suit your needs, whatever they are. Stop by our showroom, visit us online, or give us a call at (410) 451-9006 to see how we can get your toddler sleeping through the night. We offer brand names at affordable prices, and we will always work hard to keep your whole family comfortable. For more mattress shopping tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+.