Parents know the troubles of sleep deprivation and how it can seriously hinder their child’s growth. However, fixing it becomes another problem and some parents are completely oblivious to how they can do so without forcing their child to sleep at certain times. We all know that trying to be too assertive with children can lead to problematic results, so here are a couple of light-handed ways to convince your child to get more sleep. And remember, your kids need a specific type of mattress.
Understand what limits sleep
First, try and grasp what actually limits your child’s sleep. The things that disrupt your child in their sleep and the things that actively prevent it both need to be compiled into a list and then you need to find ways to get rid of them. For instance, if your child is taking in caffeine through things like soda, then make sure you limit it as much as possible especially before bedtime. It’s also a good idea to try and get them outside a little more often. Visits to the library can be stimulating and going to the park for a walk or to play a bit of sports can help your child expend energy so they’re more likely to fall asleep at night and get plenty of good rest.
Increase your child’s comfort
Your child isn’t going to sleep very well sleeping on a hard bed in the cold. Make sure their bedroom is fitted with comfortable furniture. Test it out yourself; when your child is at school, go lay on their bed and decide for yourself if the bed is comfortable enough. Consider investing in something like high sleeper beds for boys and girls to give them plenty of luxuries, and try to throw in some things like plush toys to make it even more comforting and relaxing for your child when they’re drifting off to sleep.
Learn your child’s habits
Every child is different, so you should always try and learn your child’s sleeping habits. For instance, do they yawn before they’re tired? Perhaps they pay less attention to the things they’re focused on, or maybe they slump back in their chair an hour or two before they finally fall asleep. It’s your responsibility to pay attention to these tells and learn them so that you know when it’s time for your child to sleep.
Understand that every child is different
Don’t try to force your child to sleep if they’re not tired, and don’t force them to sleep certain hours just because your neighbor’s child is doing the same thing. Every child uses different amounts of energy on their regular tasks, every child’s diet is different and every child sleeps differently. They’re unique in their own ways, and so their sleeping patterns are going to vary as well. Try and keep a note of how much your child is sleeping and how often. Write notes down to learn how much sleep your child actually needs and try to experiment to find the optimal sleeping time that suits them.