Children's sleep
Today we would like to talk about children's sleep, a topic of great importance in the care of our children, and one that causes us so many headaches. Therefore, we bring you 5 tips or steps that you can include in your routine to get your baby to sleep in summer.
As you already know, sleep is the period during which the body regenerates and recovers from the effort made throughout the day. Therefore, we must dedicate enough time to rest.
But when we talk about babies, this period becomes even more important. We must be aware that they are in full development, both physically and mentally, so proper rest is essential. In addition, while our children sleep, their minds gradually assimilate what they have learned during the day; So, not sleeping enough (or the hours of sleep recommended by pediatricians according to age) could have consequences, including behavioral problems.
If you want to learn more about childhood sleep disorders, we recommend you take a look at an article by clicking on this link. We found it very interesting.
Habits to get your baby to sleep
So, what habits could we incorporate into our children's sleep routine?
1.- Adequate light
At dusk, our brain secretes a hormone called melatonin, which is responsible for relaxing our body and preparing it for sleep. It is the hormone that makes us feel tired to induce sleep.
When we are in a very bright environment, our body will stop producing this hormone, thinking it is still daytime, so that we can stay alert. However, when we are in the dark, our body will continue to generate melatonin to help us sleep.
For this reason, it is very important to adjust the light level in our children's room, both for napping and at night, lowering the blinds until finding the right environment for their rest. Especially now that it is summer and there are more hours of daylight, we must remember to adapt their environment well.
In addition, it is advisable not to turn on too many lights in the minutes before bedtime, and to prevent our little ones from using mobile devices with too much brightness (for example, to watch cartoons) when it is time to sleep.
2.- Respect nap time
Even though it is summer and we want to take advantage of it to make many plans outside the house, we must take into account our baby's usual nap schedule.
Always try to stay home for nap time to maintain the habit. If for some reason you are away from home, try to have your child nap in the stroller or baby carrier. Maintaining this routine will also make it easier for them to fall asleep at night.
3.- Relaxing bath
A bath just before going to bed always feels good, doesn't it? ;) In summer, especially on hot days or after a bit of sweating, a cool bath is very pleasant and gives a feeling of cleanliness... Perfect for relaxing the little ones.
4.- Give them a calming massage
If everyone generally enjoys a massage, babies are no exception. Through massage, we establish a very special bond and communication with our baby while conveying security to them.
A massage, with an appropriate cream or oil that does not irritate their skin, is part of early stimulation, contributing to improving the development of movement and the child's abilities. And what better time for it than bedtime!
5.- Play music
Finally, as a finishing touch, playing calming music to set the mood is ideal for getting your baby to sleep. You can play a playlist designed exclusively for children or, simply, sing a lullaby as has always been done.
Finally...
...don't forget the most important thing: Be consistent! Just like adults, maintaining a routine and the same schedule always allows babies to fall asleep more easily.
Keep in mind that our little ones gradually get used to following these habits. So, if you put your baby to sleep in different ways every day, they won't have a bedtime routine and, therefore, it will be harder for them to fall asleep.
We hope you liked these tips and that they are helpful in completing your routine. You know that the best thing is to try things out, see what works and what doesn't, to be able to create and adapt your own routine always following your baby's rhythm 😊
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