Tips for Sanity: Sleep Baby, Sleep

By Donna Stark

One of the most sacred times of the day for many parents is when they get to walk their little ones to their bedroom and lay them down for a nap. I remember those times very well. If anything disrupted the quietness, if someone rang my doorbell, if the neighbor decided he wanted to mow his yard, I would hold my breath in a silent rage and listen ever so intently for the faint sound of my kids waking up. Most parents can relate to that scenario because naptime for our children is also so very precious to us as well. It offers us a chance to recharge, get caught up on housework, or throw in a little nap for ourselves. So when our child has trouble falling asleep or if they are suddenly woken up, it can be a little more than frustrating.

Naptime Routine

Parents, we all share a common thread ... in the interest of our sanity, we need our children to nap peacefully. Here are some simple tips that you can use to ensure your child’s best naptime.

• Establish a routine – We are creatures of habit and your child’s daytime sleep pattern is no exception. When they are a baby, try to establish a routine for their naps. Come up with a schedule that suits them best and follow that schedule every day. Repetition is needed with this so that your child will soon come to know, on their own, when it is time to sleep.
• Tire them out – Engage your child with both mental and physical activities before their nap. Interact with them on different levels. Take them outside for a walk or to play, stimulate their brain with toys and art or craft projects, sing and play music, or read together. When you give your child plenty of activity to be involved with, you’re indirectly preparing them for rest later in the day.
• Design a room conducive to sleep - The room your child sleeps in should be reasonably dark and cool. If your child responds well to white noise, you could run a fan or purchase a white noise simulator. Keep the rest of the noise in the home at a lower level as well. Also, if they are distracted from falling asleep because they have toys and stuffed animals in their bed, then just remove them until after naptime is over.

Changes are OK

Remember, what works for your child one month may not work anymore the next. Your child is constantly growing and changes should be expected. It’s OK if you need to readjust their nap schedule, and if you have to go down from two naps to one each day, that’s OK too. The laundry can wait.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Sunset Hills, Mo.