Kick out those sleepless nights: Ace their bedtime routine

Remember the last time you had a good night’s sleep? No. Me neither! We all know that raising our children is hugely rewarding, and you don’t need me to tell you that it’s all worth it in the end. But these words of wisdom often fall on the deaf ears of those of us who haven’t slept well in the last 18months+. We often feel at the mercy of our children when it comes to bedtime, all we want is some grown-up time and maybe a few hours of interrupted sleep, right? But not everyone is lucky enough to have a child that sleeps through from 6 weeks old!
So, here you’ll find a few hints and ideas of how you can make bedtime run a little smoother – you can use as many or as little as you like – every child is different! Who knows, you might even get a few hours extra sleep!
Remember, the key is to be confident and consistent.
Get those teeth brushed!
When it comes to establishing a good bedtime routine, don’t forget to stick to the basics and really hone them in. Getting your little one to brush their teeth can often be a struggle, but you could always make it fun with a new toothbrush or putting a timer on your phone and seeing how many teeth they can clean before time runs out. Remember, if you’re concerned about your child’s oral health then speak to your dental professional; Weybridge dental practice is a great place to start.
Have a bath
A bath is a nice, calming way to relax after a busy day, and the same applies to children. A bath filled with a lavender scented lotion or bubble mix is a great way to helping them tone down. Remember not to make it too splashy and exciting though and avoid them having a bath filled with toys, make it about cleansing their skin and (if you can bear it) washing their hair.
A massage
A gentle massage, of course! I find that applying some baby lotion to my little one’s limbs, chest and shoulders in a low-lit room is a great way to help them relax and prepare for sleeping.
Choose a book
Before you begin the bedtime routine, let them choose a book or two to read when they’re finally in bed. This is a great way to let your child feel like they’re part of the routine and not being forced to do something they don’t want to do. Don’t forget to agree in advance how many you’ll read!
What did you do today?
Another nice addition to the bedtime routine, would be to settle down, and run through what you both did during the day and briefly discuss the highlights. Even if it includes something like: “I liked the drawing you made me” letting them know that you’re happy with them will help them relax and go to sleep feeling loved and happy.