How to Make Sure Your Child Stays in Bed

Children need their recommended amount of sleep each day in order for them to develop properly, both physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s also vital for you as a parent to get your daily dose to function normally. However, one problem that most parents face is getting their child to stay in bed, whether this is caused by nighttime fears, overstimulation, or separation anxiety.

If you’re in this position and find yourself dreading bedtime, it’s time to change your routine. Here are some tips to ensure the whole family sleeps peacefully from now on.

Use a night light

Many children are afraid of the dark – not being able to see things around them can make them feel vulnerable. This typically starts around the age of two when their memory and imagination begin to develop and they get exposed to scary stories or books.

Firstly, try to limit what they watch to positive or educational shows. Then, look to add a nightlight to their room. These provide a gentle and comforting glow to give a sense of security should they suddenly wake up in the middle of the night. It’s important to choose one that doesn’t interfere with their sleep cycle, such as a red or amber light.

Improve their sleeping space

Sometimes, it’s the things in our room that cause us to wake up prematurely or have difficulty falling asleep. For children, this could be something as simple as light filtering in or electronics flashing or buzzing. Regardless, you need to find the cause of the problem and think of ways to resolve it. If light is a problem in the morning, consider installing blackout curtains. For any disruptive sounds, cancel these out using something soothing such as white noise.

The size of their bed can also greatly affect sleep, particularly if they’ve outgrown the frame and mattress. In this case, invest in a larger high-quality kids bed that is suitable for their age. Ensure that the new mattress fits snugly within the bed frame and that it is not too high for them to climb out of.

Wear them out

Kids know that if they act out before bedtime they’ll get to stay up later. This could be because they don’t want to miss out on anything or they’re afraid to go to sleep. To win the bedtime battle and avoid temper tantrums, aim to tire them out so they have no choice but to sleep.

Physical activity is the easiest and most effective way to do this, so consider heading to the park for a quick kick about or play catch in the garden. If going outside isn’t possible, bring out their creative side with a bit of painting or crafting.