Tis’ the season of family gatherings, parties, fun traditions, and more. It really is my favorite time of year. For some parents, it’s an extremely stressful time especially if you’re balancing all of the holiday fun while running on empty. Let’s talk about the holidays and your child’s sleep. If your kiddo is not a great sleeper, I can help. If you’ve got the sleep thing down, I’ll share tips on keeping it intact while during this season of joy.
Naps are a HOT topic for parents. When teaching your baby to be a rockstar sleeper, naps can be the last thing to fall into place. And, right when a baby seems to find a rhythm, it’s time to drop a nap and start a new nap schedule all over again. So how and when do you make the shift from 3 to 2 naps a day?
When most people think of sleep training, they imagine letting their baby cry unattended until they finally fall asleep. That’s a pretty gut-wrenching approach for most. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are several ways to teach your baby to be a great sleeper. It’s all about finding an approach that works for you and your family and then coming up with a plan and being consistent.
I became a mom 11 years ago and didn’t even know sleep consultants were a thing. I also knew very little about sleep in general. When I was pregnant, I spent lots of time learning about the development of the little human growing inside me, took breastfeeding classes, watched videos on swaddling, attended infant CPR and read books about infant development. But where was the information about sleep?
So, I did what most new moms do. I Googled ‘how to get your baby to sleep more’ in the wee hours of the night. I also asked my friends and family for advice and eventually read several books about infant sleep.
Toddlers and preschoolers (and big kids) are master negotiators and have the best stalling tactics. They need an extra trip to the potty, another hug from big brother, a snack, or a sip of water, they are scared. This list goes on and on. They can turn a 30-minute bedtime routine into an hour and a half easily. How do they do it?
The bedtime routine can be a lovely time to connect with your child. It’s not lovely if the routine becomes so long that it eats into the amount of time they need to be sleeping. Or if it prevents you from having time for yourself or your partner each evening. They are both equally important.
If you have more than one kiddo, you’ve probably considered having them share a room. There are pros and cons to room sharing. If you decide to make the plunge, there are several things you can do in preparation for transitioning your kids into the same room that will make the change so much easier and more successful.
Bedtime routines are beneficial for babies, kids, and adults. I have a routine that helps me settle my mind and prepare for bed. Here’s what I do: put on pajamas, wash my face, brush my teeth, put a glass of water on my nightstand (which I almost never drink) and layout my earplugs in case my husband snores, arrange my pillows and think about what I’m grateful for as I drift to sleep. The steps of the routine, which happen in the same order each night, help me anticipate going to sleep. The process is equally important for toddlers and big kids. And hey, if you’ve never had a routine for your kiddo, it’s not too late. Start tonight!
Taking the time to create a bedtime routine can feel monotonous or like a chore for some parents. A bedtime routine is something both children and adults benefit from when considering the best way to get a healthy night of sleep. Do bedtime routines matter? Is it worth the effort and time to implement?
