It is a time of day that most parents dread: bedtime!
Kids can be challenging to settle, especially in warmer months when it is brighter and hotter. As summer approaches, it can be challenging for parents to plan the best way to get their children to sleep all through the night without being cranky or grumpy the following day, as no one wants that in a heatwave!
So, here are the top ways to ensure that your children sleep through the night, even in the hotter and colder months.
Table of Contents
Choose The Right Clothes
Choosing the right bedclothes is essential to your kids sleeping well, whatever the weather is outside!
For summer months, you should opt for looser fitting, light cotton or bamboo clothes, as these absorb sweat from the skin and prevent rashes. They come in pretty designs, too; just check out matalan.co.uk for some clever and affordable designs. For winter months, try to make sure that your children have thicker cotton clothes, as well as bed socks, a dressing gown, and, of course, slippers!
Make Sure The Room Is Just Right!
Humans’ ideal temperature for sleeping is 19°C, which means that in the winter months, you may need to put on some heating and, in summer months, you may need an air cooler, as well as some noise- and light-canceling curtains; the latter is so you can keep the windows open, without noise or light coming in.
You can purchase thermostats for kids rooms, so you can ensure that the room is not too hot or too cold just before you put your kids to bed.
Stick to a Schedule
Children thrive on routine, and as such, in order to help them sleep, you need to stick to a schedule, as well as promote good sleep hygiene. So, no loud noises, no TV or devices, and no sweets before bed! Try to get into the habit of giving them baths at a set time and then reading to them; this will help them to relax and will help their minds to shut off, allowing for a peaceful slumber.
No Nighttime Drinks
OK, so in the middle of a heatwave, it would be unwise for your child to not have a drink next to their bed. However, on a daily basis, it is not a good idea. It can cause your child to get up in the night to go to the toilet, and it can also start the age-old ‘bedtime’ conversation revolving around a drink of water! So, keep liquids to a minimum in the evening.
Minimize Naps
Younger kids get tired, and so naps are a core part of their daily routine (as well as the routine of a few adults, too!). However, to help your child sleep well, your best bet is to reduce the number or the length of the naps that they take so that they will actually be tired at bedtime. If you need advice on how best to keep your kids awake, talk to your family care doctor.
