Wouldn't it be wonderful if a child fell asleep exactly when Mom and Dad put them to bed? Unfortunately, this is not always the case: a story still needs to be read, a glass of water is urgently needed, or does the scary monster in the furthest corner next to the closet need to be chased away again?
Of course, a child cannot always fall asleep exactly when we would like them to. Nevertheless, there are a few tips on how to positively influence a child's ability to fall asleep.
Things get quieter in the evening
The days are quite exciting for children, so the evening should be rather quiet and contemplative. Small children do not always react to sensory overload immediately, but rather some time later. Was the visit to the zoo, the playground, or the park very exciting? Even if you don't believe it at first, many children only process their impressions when they settle down.
- What can you do?
If the day was full of events and experiences, you should takea particularly long timeto go to bed.
Turn off the radio and television, dim the lights, cuddle up with your child on the sofa, and read your favorite book together for a while. Or pick out a puzzle, draw together, or play a quiet game. Children talk a lot during this time and review the day. With a little physical contact and a good portion of cuddling, the child gradually settles down.
Maintain evening ritualsChildren lovefixed rituals and manageable structures.
- What can you do?
This gives children support and also makes them internally stable. An evening, calming bath, dinner together, and a bedtime story signal to the child: great, it's becoming evening.It is best to always carry out therituals in the same way and at the same time if possible.Children do not want variety like we do, but rather have sleep problems when unforeseen events are inserted into the routine. Studies have even shown that children have fewer problems falling asleep when the evening is more structured. If you get your child used toa specific time
for going to bed in the long run, they will automatically become tired after a while.
We have introduced a structured routine: after dinner, we bathe, everyone gets to choose a book for the bedtime story, and when the children are in bed, a bedtime song is sung. And woe betide us if we skip a point in the evening; the children demand these rituals every night. Reading and cuddling together in the evening is also a wonderful end to the day for me. We have set up a small cuddle corner with mattresses and many pillows and blankets where the four of us can sit comfortably. We also have many books with stories, where each child can choose one.Almost all books are suitable as books for bedtime stories. There are also special bedtime stories for children that usually only last 3-5 minutes. Books with bedtime stories can be found in bookstores, stationery stores, discounters, or on Amazon:
Books for bedtime stories
How do I find the right time?
- What can you do?
Indeed, it is important to find the ideal time for the child to sleep. It really makes no sense to put a child to bed when they are absolutely not tired. However, it is just as futile if the child is overtired. Then they react hyper, cranky, and find it just as hard to fall asleep. Often the child sees bedtime as a punishment and wants to stay in bed even less. But when is the right time?
- Keeping to times is the best tip. If the child has a fixed time for going to bed, they will get used to this time window in the long run. However, if the right time has been missed and signals such as
- Constant yawning
- Rubbing tired eyes
Lack of interesthave been missed, you have to wait until thenext pre-sleep phaseis reached. According to sleep researchers, this can takeup to 45 minutes
– before that, putting them to bed makes no sense.
We have set our bedtime for 8:00 PM. We always coordinate the evening rituals so that the children are in bed around 8:00 PM. Of course, there are exceptions and they are allowed to stay up later on special days, such as on the weekend or when there are guests.
Why does my child keep climbing out of bed?
- What can you do?
There can be many reasons for this. Perhaps the child misses the cozy security of their parents or is simply curious about what Mom and Dad are still doing. What? They are still watching TV? I want to too!Thoughts like these or similar run through children's minds – show the child that they are not alone and are allowed to sleep peacefully. Leave thebedroom door ajarso that natural sounds reach them and calm them down. A T-shirt from Mom or Dad can also help. These smell wonderfully of their loved ones and calm the little one. Many children also like to take theircuddly toy
to bed with them. This has the advantage that they always have something to take to bed with them, only if it is not there because it was forgotten at Grandma's, then going to bed can become a little more laborious.
Our children have many cuddly toys that are allowed to sleep in bed with them, but every child has one very important main cuddly toy without which they will not go to bed.Cuddly toys are available in toy stores, discounters, and also on Amazon:
Cuddly toys on AmazonAlso anight light or socket light
can work wonders. If the child is afraid of the dark, a small light can chase away all monsters and beasts.
We also have a night light plug that they demanded very vehemently at first, but now don't pay much attention to anymore. But it is also practical for parents, because if a child cries at night, you can see a little bit immediately and don't have to turn on a bright light right away.Night lights can be bought at discounters or on Amazon:
Night lights on Amazon
Introduce rituals well-considered
Parents should think very early on about how to make their child aware that it is almost time to go to bed. You should decide at what time the child should go to bed and what should happen before that. Often, however, you notice for yourself when the child is really tired, and so there are children who are exhausted by 6:00 PM and those who are still fit until 8:00 PM. Observe your child and find the rhythm that best suits your child and you.
Read also:Â How do I get my child potty trained and diaper-free?
Image by Janine, meinhaushalt.at
