• Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • PR/Media/Contact

Truemag

Truemag

MENU
  • Hot Topics
      • Back to School, Not Back to Broke: Cost-Cutting Ideas for School Supplies

        Back to School, Not Back to Broke: Cost-Cutting Ideas for School Supplies

        October 31, 2019
        In today’s economy, saving money when shopping for back-to-school items is easier said than done. For frugal shopping expert Trish Garvis, cutting such costs is all in a day’s work. “I have …
      • How Teens Can Fight Cyber bullying

        How Teens Can Fight Cyber bullying

        October 29, 2019
        According to a recent survey, 52% of children and teens have been cyberbullied online. Could your child be a victim of cyberbullying? It turns out, you may never know, since over half …
      • How to Make Your Front Yard Stand Out on Halloween

        How to Make Your Front Yard Stand Out on Halloween

        October 17, 2019
        If you’re borderline competitive when it comes to Halloween yard displays, then you’ll want to make sure that your house will impress everyone who sees it. Here are some ways you can …
      • 4 Ways to Help Your Kids Succeed in School

        4 Ways to Help Your Kids Succeed in School

        October 17, 2019
        As a parent, you want your child to succeed academically. Good grades help kids get into university and pursue fulfilling careers.   Doing well in school also has a profound effect on …
  • Family
      • How Teens Can Fight Cyber bullying

        How Teens Can Fight Cyber bullying

        October 29, 2019
        According to a recent survey, 52% of children and teens have been cyberbullied online. Could your child be a victim of cyberbullying? It turns out, you may never know, since over half …
      • Planning Your Newborn’s First Creative Photoshoot

        Planning Your Newborn’s First Creative Photoshoot

        October 17, 2019
        Newborn photography is gaining popularity, especially to people living in Houston. Since 2009, Houston has led the country in the number of childbirth to young mothers. It’s no wonder that newborn photography …
      • 4 Ways to Help Your Kids Succeed in School

        4 Ways to Help Your Kids Succeed in School

        October 17, 2019
        As a parent, you want your child to succeed academically. Good grades help kids get into university and pursue fulfilling careers.   Doing well in school also has a profound effect on …
      • 5 Best Playroom Chairs for Toddlers

        5 Best Playroom Chairs for Toddlers

        October 16, 2019
        There are lots of good reasons to have a playroom in your house. From developing spatial awareness in toddlers to giving them a designated place and time to play, this space is a great …
  • Travel
      • 4 Best Summer Family Destinations in Colorado

        4 Best Summer Family Destinations in Colorado

        October 24, 2019
        Colorado has so much to offer a visitor of any type, especially if you’re looking for an exciting family getaway. Cities that are commonly known to attract skiers in the winter also …
      • How to Pack for a Girls Trip to Paris

        How to Pack for a Girls Trip to Paris

        October 21, 2019
        When planning a girls trip to somewhere far and glamourous, Paris is always a good idea. Once in a while, you may want to leave the boys and other family members at …
      • Five Best Gifts to Give Ume (Plum) Lovers

        Five Best Gifts to Give Ume (Plum) Lovers

        August 22, 2019
        If you’re a fan of Japan and its culture, you probably know what ume is. Ume, also called Chinese plum or Japanese apricot, is highly regarded for its look and multiple uses …
      • 3 Excellent Family Ski Resorts In Europe

        3 Excellent Family Ski Resorts In Europe

        August 12, 2019
        When it comes to skiing, Europe is always the top choice among skiers. There are many ski resorts spread across the continent that make for great skiing vacations. A skiing vacation in …
  • Video
      • Should we be offended by Fergie’s new ‘M.I.L.F. $’ video?

        Should we be offended by Fergie’s new ‘M.I.L.F. $’ video?

        July 5, 2016
        Fergie recently released her much-anticipated new video featuring several celebrity moms. The hit song and video have gone viral, but the tongue-and-cheek visuals have enraged many people on the internet (surprise, surprise). When I first …
      • Video: This biker gang helps survivors of child abuse find their voice

        Video: This biker gang helps survivors of child abuse find their voice

        April 9, 2016
        Bikers Against Child Abuse is an organization of lifelong bikers who serve as support and allies for survivors of child abuse. They have grown internationally and work with local authorities. When a …
      • Mom heckles comedian over parenting jokes and doesn’t stand a chance against him

        Mom heckles comedian over parenting jokes and doesn’t stand a chance against him

        March 30, 2016
        When you go to a comedy show it’s highly likely something is going to offend you. Most people will either laugh at themselves or let it go and enjoy the rest of …
      • Designer sends out birth cards printed with breastmilk

        Designer sends out birth cards printed with breastmilk

        March 29, 2016
        Dutch photographer/designer Nichon Glerum wanted to do something extra special for her son’s birth announcements. She decided to send out birth cards using the ancient technique of invisible ink. This technique, that many …
  • Contact
  • Shop
Home > 5 Ways to Help Your Children Sleep Better

5 Ways to Help Your Children Sleep Better

Written by:  Jamie

Getting your child to sleep is not easy.

So, imagine knowing ways to not get your children to bed, but to ensure that they sleep better.

…and you don’t need any tricks?

In today’s post, I will be sharing with you 5 easy ways to help your children sleep better beginning from tonight.

What Happens When Your Children Lack Proper Sleep?

Look:

Most parents try to get their children to sleep just like they do.

But, years of research show that there is a huge difference between the sleeping patterns of adults and children. You would be surprised to find out that your 15-year-old and your 5-year-old sleep quite differently, says Edna Alfaro.

When adults don’t get enough sleep, you can notice the physical effects almost instantly. But with kids, it may take a while for the signs to manifest. And, when they eventually do, they might be irreversible.

Here’s what might happen:

  • Stunted growth. Yes, I know it sounds too extreme but this is one of the side effects of sleep deprivation in children. The growth hormone, somatotropin, is secreted during sleep, and its deficiency may cause very serious consequences.
  • Lack of motivation. Kids who do not get proper sleep often experience no interest in everyday tasks. This can directly affect their ability to interact with other kids their age.
  • Lack of focus. Due to a lack of sleep or frequent sleep disruptions, children can become increasingly forgetful. They can also become clumsy or lack coordination, hence, more prone to accidents.
  • Difficulty learning new information. Another negative effect that sleep loss has on kids is a consequence of a shorter attention span and a lack of focus.
  • Frequent sickness. Proneness to colds and infections is caused by a weakened immune system, which is part of the side effects of sleep deprivation in children. This can in turn restrict them from essential activities.
  • Slight mental disorders. These are hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, aggression, temper tantrums, disruptive behavior, or memory problems.
  • Other implications can be: frequently waking up at night, waking up late in the morning, crankiness, irritability, moodiness, or low frustration tolerance.

So, How Do You Ensure Your Children Sleep Better and Healthier?

Listen:

The protective instinct runs in every parent.

In fact, it’s part of our DNA. From the moment your children are born, you strive to protect them. You overhear your kid quarreling with another child and you are eager to go to battle for them. You want to keep in touch with their every move and help them whatever it takes.

It’s not always possible, as there are things your child should come to on their own. But thankfully, this doesn’t include sleep. So, here’s how you can help your children sleep better.

#1 Create a Bedtime Routine

This means setting a fixed sleeping and waking times.

Routines are not just about letting your child know that bedtime is near; they are also an opportunity to get some bonding time with you. Typical bedtime practices like brushing the teeth, taking a bath, or a storytime put your child in a sleepy mood almost automatically.

Kids recognize the pattern and if they derive enough fun from it, they can even look forward to these routines. Even though you want to make sure that your child actively partakes in these activities, you also want to make sure they are not too hyperactive.

Another great thing with routines is that even in your absence, your child can set out to do them and which, in turn, helps them sleep quicker and better.

The same thing happens when they wake up. Their body gets used to waking up around the same time when you have a fixed time for morning routines.

#2 Address Their Fears

Typically, parents dismiss fear, not knowing that this scares the child even more and prevents them from sleeping normally.

So, instead of dismissing bedtime fears, I suggest that you talk about them with your kid.

It also depends on the age of your child. Some children will buy into the whole “no-monsters-in-your-room” talk, but for others, it may demand a little bit more creativity from you.

For instance, kids feel safer sleeping with something familiar. It could be their favorite shirt, a special blanket, or Mr. Pooh, the teddy bear.

Or, for a more dramatic effect, you can fill up a bottle with water, add some essential oils to it, shake, and spray. Cover the bottle with a fancy DIY label that says something like “anti-monster potion”. This should work as well to help them feel safer.

#3 Limit Their Screen Time

Turn all screens off for at least half an hour before bedtime routines begin.

Also, make sure that there are no TVs or computers in the bedroom.

Light from mobile devices has been associated with poor sleep quality. I know, they are tiny and seem insignificant, but for a child whose attention to screens is always alert, you want to avoid this as much as possible.

“The blue light emitted by screens can cause a delayed melatonin release, which will make it difficult for your child to fall asleep.”

Apart from allowing them to watch videos on screen closer to bedtime, avoid taking your gadget with you when tucking your children in bed. The slightest light makes it harder for children to go to sleep.

#4 Always Check for Lights

It can be light from a gadget or just regular lamps.

As already mentioned above, excess light right before bedtime can promote an active mood in your child and a lack of sleepiness, resulting in poor quality of sleep.

While most kids prefer to sleep with their lights on, this is not healthy for them. As a parent, you want to be able to control this. You can explain to your children why it is necessary for them to sleep with lights-out.

Or,

You can place a lamp with dim settings in the room. And then be sure to turn it off once the child is asleep. As an alternative, you can use a night light with an auto shut-off setting.

Sleeping masks help too. Pay attention to the material the mask is made from, as some fabrics may cause irritation or itchiness. Children may sometimes wake up too early from sunlight streaming into their rooms. So getting dark colored curtains should help prevent this.

#5 Watch Their Caffeine Intake

You know that the impact of caffeine on sleep for adults is enormous.

Now, imagine the impact it will have on a child.

Caffeine is found in various beverages and foods. There is caffeine in energy drinks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cola, and others. And unfortunately, you do not always control everything your child consumes. Especially with school-aged children who are out of your sight for hours.

What you can do is to encourage them to stay away from things that typically contain caffeine. You can also increase their intake of magnesium supplements and cherry juice, as these have a number of health benefits linked to sleep.

Magnesium strengthens the immune system and has a calming effect on the nervous system. And cherries, in addition to being yummy, contain high amounts of melatonin, which regulates the body’s sleep-wake cycles.

Feb 10, 2019Jamie
Connection Between Home Interior Design and Your Mental HealthHow to ChildProof Your New Apartment Patio, Bathroom & Decorative Objects
You Might Also Like
 
Keeping Your Kids On Track Doesn’t Have To Be Difficult
 
Professional Dancers Copy a 14-Month-Old Baby and the Result is Beautiful
!Devinto
!Fabbikini
Interview Requests
Please contact Monica at IANTBBlog@gmail.com
Affiliate Links

IAmNotTheBabysitter.com features Affiliate links to certain products and promos featured on the site.

Would you like to to bypass the affiliate links? You most definitely can! Simply enter the brand url instead of clicking through our site, although we would appreciate it if you would!

Partner with IANtB
Contact Monica at IANTBBlog@gmail.com
2017 © I Am Not the Babysitter