​How Can I Help my Child Fall Asleep?

Bedtime for a child means stopping play and separating from you and the family. No wonder he or she may be balking, but with a cozy soft pillow and keeping the following basic tips in mind, everything should be fine.

1. Establish a ritual

As with adults, one of the best things you can do to help your child go to bed is to establish a routine. Try to perform the same chain of actions in the same order on a nightly basis before going to bed, even on the weekends. This will allow your child to gradually find his bearings and cope with this moment with less stress.

Example of a ritual: homework, dinner, games, wash up, brush teeth, get into bed, read a book, hugs and kisses. Try to set strict rules and stick to them by repeating them every day at the same time, without letting the schedule inject tension into the moment, i.e., don’t you stress over the routine.

2. Create a calm and soothing environment

It is essential to avoid the excitement provided by screens (TV, phones, tablets, etc.), certain exciting games such as Moustache Smash or Slap Jack, and roughhousing, tickling, or even fighting. Save the pillow fort project for a weekend morning.

Also, make sure your child's sleeping space is comfortable, starting by quality bedding, with a plush mattress pad, preferably stain resistant and hypoallergenic, a restful hotel pillow, soft sheets and an agreeable comforter (a lightweight comforter or a winter comforter according to the season). It is recommended to limit ambient light as much as possible, keep things quiet, and maintain a cooler temperature of around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Finally, don't hesitate to take a few minutes to tidy up the room with your child if necessary. This will allow your child to visualize his environment as regular, orderly and predictably the same, thus alleviating the risk of anxiety when the lights go out and shadows appear.

3. Teach your child that sleeping is fun!

If you threaten to send your child to their room when they misbehave, they will quickly associate the bed and bedroom with punishment, which will hardly make them want to go to bed!

On the contrary, help the child to perceive sleep as a time of pleasure. Tell them how pleasant and useful it is to sleep: that you are warm and safe in your little bed, under your twin comforter with your favorite blanket; Dad or Mum comes to read a story; we dream, we rest, and we recover strength to have even more fun tomorrow. The ability to sleep is a special superpower that gives you the energy you need to do big things.

4. Spend time and talk to your child

Children need a lot of time. To avoid stress at the end of the day when the child may feel a lack of attention, take a moment well in advance of bedtime to chat with them, or even stay by their side while they play.

The desire to spend more time with their parents can make a child not want to go to bed. By giving them all the necessary attention in advance, you will avoid some delays and maybe eliminate the dreaded “redo,” where the child gets up and comes to find you after being kissed goodnight.

5. Offer comfort

Beyond the attention, it is also important to give your child a feeling of comfort, both physically with good quality bedding, but also psychologically. Fear of the dark or of the monster hidden under the bed can cause anxieties that should not be minimized. Simply and calmly show the child that everything is fine and that all the things in the room are in their proper place.

Take the time to listen to your child to reassure them and help them calm down. They have nothing to fear since you are there to protect them.

6. Set a good example

Children are especially aware of those who follow the “do as I say, not as I do” school of thought. Take each of the above tips and observations and turn them on your own bedtime behaviors. With some thought and the right bedding, you may also profit from following the lead of your young ones.

While these few tips form the basis for helping your child to fall asleep, remember that it is important to adapt them to each individual. Whether it is bedtime or the number of hours you sleep, needs can vary from child to child. However keep in mind that according to The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): “Children and adolescents who do not get enough sleep have a higher risk for many health and behavior problems.”

If you would like any help or professional advice before ordering your bedding, you may contact our customer service representatives by email, and they will assist you in your decision-making.

Photo Credit: Photo by Alex Green from Pexels