So how do you get a child asleep at night time that is
one of the things that I’m asked from parents all the time. There are many methods
to achieve a satisfying out come for both you and your child
Bed time should be a fun time just like any other part
of the day if you do it right then you’ll not have to much problems when it
come to getting your little one to sleep .
For dads who have been working all day and don’t spend
as much time as they would like then this is a great time to bond with your
child thought play ,talking ,reading , leaning and touching .
You can develop an strong bond which will help you in
the further when you will need to be able to talk to your child about things.
Why You Need Sleep
The average kid has a busy day. There's school, taking care of your pets,
running around with friends, going to sports practice or other activities, and
doing your homework. By the end of the day, your body needs a break. Sleep
allows your body to rest for the next day.
Everything that's alive needs sleep to survive. Even your dog or cat curls
up for naps. Animals sleep for the same reason you do — to give your body a tiny
vacation.
Your Brain Needs Zzzzzs
Your body and your brain need sleep. Though no one is exactly sure what
work the brain does when you're sleeping, some scientists think that the brain sorts
through and stores information, replaces chemicals, and solves problems while
you snooze.
Most kids between 5 and 12 get about 9.5 hours a night, but experts agree that
most need 10 or 11 hours each night. Sleep is an individual thing and some kids
need more than others.
When your body doesn't have enough hours to rest, you may feel tired or
cranky, or you may be unable to think clearly. You might have a hard time
following directions, or you might have an argument with a friend over
something really stupid. A school assignment that's normally easy may feel
impossible, or you may feel clumsy playing your favorite sport or instrument.
One more reason to get enough sleep: If you don't, you may not grow as
well. That's right, researchers believe too little sleep can affect growth and
your immune system — which keeps you from getting sick
The Stages of Sleep
As you're drifting off to sleep, it doesn't seem like much is happening . . . the room is getting fuzzy and your eyelids feel heavier and heavier. But what happens next? A lot!Your brain swings into action, telling your body how to sleep. As you slowly fall asleep, you begin to enter the five different stages of sleep:
Stage 1
In this stage of light sleep, your body starts to feel a bit drowsy. You can still be woken up easily during this stage. For example, if your sister pokes you or you hear a car horn outside, you'll probably wake up right away.Stage 2
After a little while, you enter stage 2, which is a slightly deeper sleep. Your brain gives the signal to your muscles to relax. It also tells your heart to beat a little slower and your breathing to slow down. Even your body temperature drops a bit.Stage 3
When you're in this stage, you're in an even deeper sleep, also called slow-wave sleep. Your brain sends a message to your blood pressure to get lower. Your body isn't sensitive to the temperature of the air around you, which means that you won't notice if it's a little hot or cold in your room. It's much harder to be awakened when you're in this stage, but some people may sleepwalk or talk in their sleep at this point.Stage 4
This is the deepest sleep yet and is also considered slow-wave sleep. It's very hard to wake up from this stage of sleep, and if you do wake up, you're sure to be out of it and confused for at least a few minutes. Like they do in stage 3, some people may sleepwalk or talk in their sleep when going from stage 4 to a lighter stage of sleep.So now lets talk about how we get our little one to sleep
Routine.
Your routine should be the same every night when I say your routine mum and dad do not have to have the same routine as each other however whichever way you do it please stick to itSetting up the room
Use your bed just for sleeping not doing homework, playing games ,having a computer or lots of toys . That way, you'll train the body to associate bed with sleep.Food
Limit foods and drinks. These include sodas and other drinks, like ice tea .a milky drink that not to sweet will be much better and try not to give water.
Here is a Routine which can help
It is important to remember that this is not a race it is an important time for you and your child to get to understand each other ,the child to feel love and safe. So bed time should take around 2 hours yes I said 2 hours and please don’t forget that if dad has been working all day them dad should put the little one to sleep he needs the time to bond and don’t get in the way .The first hour
This a good time you need to get thing to slow down and your child in to a mode for sleeping so if your child is playing join in if you can. Your child should have eaten if your are at a park then you need to tell them we’ll be going in 30min count the in down 15mins 10min 5 min and then go make shore that you talk to you child about what he or she have been doing if at home get your kids to put away their toys (make it into a game )
Now a little T.V but Don't watch scary TV shows or movies close to bedtime because these can sometimes make it hard to fall asleep nothing with strong colours the BBC have a great kid’s night time programs. This is the time you give them a warm milky drink and set with them about 15 min go and get the bath ready the baths should be warm and whatever bath toys your child like’s don’t forget to count down to bath time and tell then what you are doing you can say something like I’m going to make your bath now in 15mins it will be bath time or at the end of this program it will be baths time
Hour 2
A massage with sleep oil coconut, lavender or olive are good this will help to get the child ready for sleeping after the massage them warm PJ and into bed now it’s time to read once in bed there is no getting out no toy’s no game just stories . Read as many book as you need for the child drop asleep. Also read slowly, breath slowly and keeps the lights low and the bed warm
Try not to fall asleep yourself and once your child is sleeping get out and enjoy you evening with your partner
