Rock-a-bye baby.
Just like a favorite book, a memorable song is another way to end the day on a happy note. For some parents, it’s singing a special lullaby to their baby or toddler, and for others, it’s finding soothing CDs to play. Mom of two Teresa Ciulla found a way to satisfy both her and her children’s musical tastes by playing Frank Sinatra classics. “From the time the girls were newborns, we started playing Frank Sinatra in their room. It calmed them down and got them to fall asleep every time.”
Use some scheduling secrets.
Schedule naps far enough away from bedtime so that your child is tired enough to fall asleep quickly and peacefully at night. If your child takes an afternoon nap, limit it to no more than two hours.
Stay one step ahead.
Once a child is overtired, it’s almost impossible to get her back into her regular bedtime routine. So, stay one step ahead of your child and begin the bedtime process before she starts showing signs of weariness.
Take a load off.
When your child wakes up in the middle of the night crying, do you pace the hallways to try and calm him down? Lindsey Johnson Renovales has another, more comfortable method. “We hold our daughter in our arms and sit down on an exercise ball. It was our savior when she was younger. It calmed her down right away, and she [fell] asleep in no time. It saved our backs and feet, too, not having to walk around in circles.”
Find comfort in a snack.
There’s something comforting about warm milk, but according to MayoClinic.com, there’s little evidence that it actually helps you fall asleep. In fact, no specific foods truly aid sleeping. However, eating a small snack several hours before bedtime can help reduce midnight hunger pangs for your little one.
More sleep tips for kids:
- Help your kids fall to sleep at night
- Kids, growing and sleep
- How bedtime routines help kids’ sleep
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