Three Tips for to get children with sleeping
problems asleep
by Linda Jenkinson
According to the American
Sleep Association 70% of all babies and infants at one time or
another suffer from sleeping difficulties. So if bed
time is a difficult time for you and your baby you are in good
company. Rest assured that there is probably nothing wrong but
of course when you are in doubt seek professional care.
Jodi Mindell, a researcher and sleep
expert at the Institute, has 3 tips for worried
parents.
- Put your baby to bed when he/she is sleepy but not yet
asleep.
That way you teach your infant to fall a sleep by himself.
When baby is able to do that around bedtime chances are he
or she will wake up once or twice per night. But because
the baby is trained or used to falling asleep in his own
bed you don’t have to “rock or swing” him to sleep. Going
back to sleep comes naturally. And you will be much fitter
the next day.
- Define a strict bedtime regimen.
That way your child learns to get “tired” every afternoon
and evening at about the same time. Also it’s a good idea
to extend this predictability to other areas of the baby’s
life. Certainty and safety will make the baby more relaxed
and will help him to grow to be a healthy adult. Make sure
your baby does go to bed early enough. Exhausted babies
have trouble falling asleep.
-
Make strict use sleep rituals
Start at a young age with a bed time routine. Use a
specific system in which three or four activities are
always done in the same order. For example, wash first,
then put on pajamas, and last but not least a bedtime
story or song. That way you create a predictable order
of activities that make the change from daytime
activity to the slower pace of going to bed more
gradual.
If you want to know more about this interesting topic
read Jodi Mindell’s book “Sleeping through the Night”.
In my opinion this book is a must-read for parents who
worry about the sleeping habits of their little one.
The book is very readable and is packed with tips,
tricks and explanations.
One warning never give young children a sleeping pill
unless you really have discussed this deeply with your
general practioner.
About the Author
Linda is an inspired author of the
Baby
Strollers Guide and the
Baby
Products Guide she is a
mother spend a lot of time next to her childs bed
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