How important is a bedtime routine?
Can our children really benefit from an early bedtime? What if we can’t get them in bed early? Is bedtime a fighting match between you and your child?
There are parents out there that have a hard time getting their children to bed on time. The goal is to read and the kids are asleep once the story is done, right? This doesn’t always happen and when it does YAY!!! In our home our kids are in bed by 7:30 pm, this doesn’t mean their asleep by 7:30 pm but they're in bed. When my oldest was born it was pressed upon me how much a good nights rest was important. This has guided me through all my children.
The benefits of a good bedtime routine can help a child build a good sleep habit for the future. Wake up in the morning feeling refreshed, having the ability to perform at peak levels in school and other activities. Each child is unique, if your sleep schedule works well for you and your child, you may not need to change it. If your child is going to bed late and not wanting to wake up in the morning or is lagging then maybe there should be a change.
In the American Academy of Pediatrics, "Guide to Your Child's Sleep" ""it's almost impossible to overstress the importance of a calm, orderly bedtime routine." With my oldest, she never gave me a problem or a fight to go to bed onetime. B and MJ have a longer time falling asleep at night, I spoke to my pediatrician and she mentioned to us that maybe giving them some Melatonin before our bedtime routine would help. We started using it but not for long just because we didn’t want them to become dependent on it to fall asleep. Our bedtime routine started at 6:45 pm.
6:45 pm- Turn the TV and all electronics off, Clean up.
7 pm - Brush Teeth
7:10-7: 15 pm - The girls FaceTime their dad to say goodnight
7:20 pm- Storytime, I let the kids pick this book before bedtime so theirs no rush looking for a book.
7:30 pm- Kids are in bed and nice and comfy.
We do all this in a calm nature, MJ can deviate sometimes but other than that he's good with sticking to it. We set this time for bedtime during the weekday because they wake up early. The goal is to have them sleep at least 10 hours a night, which on a good night they do.
Below are some tips that can help with your bedtime routine:
Letting them pick a bedtime teddy or blanket, for bigger kids it could be sleeping with a hoodie.
Implementing a bedtime routine early in childhood, it can be a little harder when they are older.
Allowing them to have choices, like which book or which teddy to have that night.
Crying is normal, don’t get upset with them just explain that it's bedtime. When they see you upset it will make them anxious and can prolong falling asleep.
Use a night light if their scared of the dark, don’t invalidate their fear. It won’t help them sleep.
Make sure they use the bathroom.
Not let them drag out bedtime, stick to your guns nicely.
Turn off TV and playtime at least 30 minutes before starting your routine.
