Awesome tips on how to get your child to sleep at night.
I think most people say that they don’t get enough sleep; especially parents!!
Children that we work with at The Potential Ability Group often have some difficulty with sleeping, and there are many different factors that can impact on a child’s ability sleep. Here are some of the things that are considered by our Occupational Therapists when working with families on a child’s sleep routine:
Families are recommended to have their child reviewed by a paediatrician to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be affecting sleep e.g. sleep apnoea.
Routine is key!… A consistent bedtime routine is very important to establish so that it becomes habit. Thirty minutes before bed should be a calm and relaxing experience. It is recommended to limit technology before bedtime to avoid overstimulation.
Consider the environment as this may have a bigger impact than realised. How is their bedroom set up? Is it made for sleep or play? Look at things such as lighting, temperature, noise, type of bedding, ventilation, etc
Is your child physically active? Regular exercise in the day helps maintain a healthy sleep/wake cycle.
Is your child a midnight snacker? Ensure that your child is eating healthily and regularly throughout the day as much as possible. This can also help with getting a good amount of quality sleep. Try to limit sugar intake at night as it is a stimulant.
Our Occupational Therapists are able to design personalised sleep plans that involve specific strategies that are designed for success.
I hope that these points have been useful to consider; lets face it, we can all benefit from some more shut-eye! If you and your family feel that you would benefit from some support for your child’s sleep routine, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Department of Families and Communities (Disability SA) 2005, Sleepwise: A Resource Manual, Positive Sleep Practices for Young Children with Developmental Delay, Government of South Australia, Australia.
