MEET LINDA | Well, I am sure you already know her! Linda is our Playgroup Director but one thing you may not have known is that Linda is a trained Sleep Consultant for Babies and Children. Mum of twin boys and Sleep Consultant of Business AKA @throughthenight_sleep is going to share with us!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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SHARE | Bedtime sleep habits to avoid:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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1. Screen time – Limit it!!!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Limiting screen time is so important because screens can overstimulate our little people’s mind right before bed, it can cause imagination to flow in the middle of the night (nightmares) and mainly it can decrease melatonin production in the body causing long settling times and night wakings. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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2. Falling asleep somewhere during the bedtime routine!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Falling asleep or even getting quite drowsy/sleepy during the bedtime routine is what we would call a ‘sleep prop’ and can cause night wakings and the need for that ‘sleep prop’ to help them get back to sleep in the night again. If you are experiencing early rising, I would consider this as a potential cause too. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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3. Too short or too long bedtime routines!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Having the bedtime routine go for about 20-40min is ideal to allow them the right amount of wind-down time, not too rushed and not too dragged out. If the routine is too dragged out they cannot see or understand the next step in the sequence, if it is too rushed then they don’t get that wind down time. If the ‘wind down’ doesn’t work then let them play for 10 minutes or so after their bath as some kids need to burn a little extra energy. Bedtime routines are all about setting up sleep cues, so stick with them. No need to rush them but don’t make it an hour long ordeal! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Hope that helped 🙂
