A child’s sleep is paramount. The more a child sleeps, the more content his/her entire family is. It’s amazing that one little body can have such a huge impact on everyone and everything around him/her. As a caregiver for a little bundle of joy, you learn quickly or start researching how you can help your little one sleep.
I worked with children for over twenty years before having my own son. I do believe my education and experience was a great asset but it did not prepare me for the role of mom. It assisted me with understanding developmental milestones and how to deal with a variety of behaviours not once was I taught the art of improving my child’s sleep. This was something I learned on the fly. I was able to find the magic that worked for us.
The one thing I had to really do was look at his whole day and not just his sleep schedule and pattern. I learned that my little guy needs to be out and about exploring his world.
I am constantly on the go and I must be out of the house by 10 am or I have a toddler melting down on the floor. The more we do, the better he sleeps, the better he sleeps, the saner I remain. My focus is often what can we do so the little man will sleep well.
Here are some of my tips that improved my child’s sleep:
- Physical exercise The more energy he burns the longer he sleeps.
- Fresh air When we play outside he sleeps well
- Food My little guy will stay asleep longer if he has had a good lunch or snack (fruit, veggie, and proteins).
- Structure and routine The naptime and bedtime routine are quite similar. The main difference is he gets one book at nap and three at bedtime.
- Noise We keep noise to a minimum and use a fan for white noise.
- Blackout blinds A dark room is a must.
Here’s hoping your child has mastered the art of sleeping or will soon.
Happy sleeping!
