How to Develop a Bedtime Routine for Your Child

It doesn’t matter whether you have a newborn or a toddler, creating a proper bedtime routine will help your kids benefit from healthy habits. Unfortunately, many children experience difficulty sleeping, with many problems stemming from too much pre-bedtime activity or sugary treats.

However, following a proper bedtime routine ensures your children experience a good night’s rest. As these practices filter through as they grow older, encouraging these tendencies from a young age can avert future problems regarding falling asleep.

Stick to the same routine

Keeping the same bedtime from day to day is essential for developing a bedtime routine with your child. Although this will naturally shift as your child grows up, you should avoid adding or skipping elements once you’ve found a workable time.

Unsurprisingly, every child will have a different routine. While some might be willing to climb straight into bed, others will become talkative or ask to hear a story. Build these ideas into your routine to ensure your children get what they need before bed.

Keep it short

If you’re having trouble getting your kids to bed, you might find that your bedtime routine is simply too long. While you might have your child’s best interests at heart by taking things slowly, this extended process can cause anxiety that keeps children awake for longer.

Try to keep your bedtime routine to less than 20 minutes. During this time, you should be able to follow the same activities as usual, like a bath followed by reading and lullabies. By the time you’re finished, they’ve hopefully drifted off to sleep.

Allow some independence

Naturally, there’s a little bit of teamwork required to get your child into bed on time. While you might feel like everything has to be done your way, letting your child take a small amount of control can build cooperation.

For example, children often want to choose their own pyjamas before bed. Meanwhile, they might have a favourite book they want you to read, so let them pick it out. With some careful coordination, establishing a solid routine is within reach.

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