Does you child wake up in the middle of the night or constantly fights going to bed? Try these 5 Tips For Helping Children Fall Asleep Faster And Sleep Better. You can definitely help your kids if they have trouble sleeping in a completely natural way. You will be surprised to know that little things can really make a difference when it comes to your child being able to sleep better. These tips really worked for my family and I hope my tips can work for you too.
5 Tips For Helping Children Fall Asleep Faster And Sleep Better
I have two children ages 4 and 8. My 8 year old son started sleeping through the night at around 2 years of age. My 4 year old sleeps through the night since she was 3 months old (and was exclusively breastfed at the time). Yes, kids are different just like adults. My husband wakes up happily at 6:00am but I really have a hard time early in the mornings. I need at least 8 good hours of sleep a day to feel good and energized the following day.
All kids are different and it is harder for some to fall asleep. But we can help those little ones that have trouble sleeping by changing a few things. This is why I am sharing these 5 Tips For Helping Children Fall Asleep Faster And Sleep Better.
My son was never a good sleeper as a baby or toddler. Now he finally goes to bed at around 8:00pm to 8:30pm and wakes up at 7:00am. I had to fight for MONTHS to get him to go to bed that early. But we finally compromised and now it just part of his daily routine.
The trick? Creating an environment that allows sleep really helps. After a lot of research I found many natural ways and tips to help him sleep better. Changing his routine and making some adjustments really made a difference.
Kids need to sleep well for their optimal health and development. Remember that An Earlier Bedtime Means Happier And Healthier Children. And this is why I am sharing my top 5 tips for helping children fall asleep faster and sleep better with you. I hope that I can help you if you are having trouble putting your kids to bed or keeping them asleep at night.
Here Are My Favorite 5 Tips For Helping Children Fall Asleep Faster And Sleep Better
1. Magnesium
Magnesium is such a wonderful mineral that not only strengthens the immune system, but also has calming effects. You can give your kids a magnesium supplement like Natural Vitality Kids Calm
(good for kids 4 years and older), or a bath (good for all ages). Magnesium is a miracle mineral. My kids definitely sleep better when they take an Epsom Salts
bath. Want more information about Epsom salt baths? Check out my Detox Bath For Kids post.
2. Cherries
Cherries are one of the few natural sources of melatonin, which is responsible for the regulation of the body’s internal clock and sleep-wake cycle. Researchers believe it’s the combination of melatonin and the anthocyanins in tart cherries that might help you sleep better at night.
Making delicious smoothies is a great way to incorporate cherries in your kid’s diet, increase their level of melatonin, and help them sleep better at night.
3. No Food After Dinner
You know how your kids ask you for a snack right before bedtime? My son used to ask me for snacks before bedtime all the time. The problem is most snacks contain sugar and it wasn’t helping him fall asleep. Now we have dinner at around 6:00pm and I make sure he eats a full meal so he won’t be hungry and ask for a snack or milk before bedtime. I can see the different and how easily he falls asleep now.
4. No Electronics Before Bed
This was a tough one to implement because my son loves watching tv and playing with the computer or iPad. We had to limit the use of electronics at home and we saw a huge improvement in his quality of sleep and overall behavior. I now let him watch tv before dinner for about 30 mins to 1 hour or use the iPad or computer. 1 hour a day and that is it. No tv, and no electronics before bedtime. This is very important because if he is playing with the iPad he simply cannot fall asleep easily and has such a hard time.
If you want to learn more, please see The iPad Is A Far Bigger Threat To Our Children Than Anyone Realizes.
5. Essential Oils
Essential oils are soothing, relaxing, and can put you in the mood for going to bed very easily. I love my essential oils and use them everyday. They are also a great natural way to make your home smell wonderful without toxic chemicals. A few drops of Lavender
essential oil in my diffuser
before bedtime is just wonderful. I really think it relaxes my kids and makes them fall asleep easily. Lavender is part of our bedtime routine while reading a book before bed.
Want to learn more about essential oils, what are they good for, and which ones are safe for kids? Check it out HERE.
This information should not replace professional advice by a qualified medical or herbal practitioner.
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Last update on 2022-11-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Chigo says
Thanks for sharing. Very useful information I have to these ideas for a better longer sleep with my 4yr old. Do u have any advice on improving a better eating habit for fussy eaters?
Creative And Healthy Fun Food says
Thank you! I’m glad to know you enjoyed the article. I have a recent one about picky eaters. You can check it out here: http://creativeandhealthyfunfood.com/7-brilliant-hacks-that-will-make-picky-eaters-try-new-foods/
John Williams says
I put a fan in my kids’ room which seems to help a lot. I figured, if sleeping with a fan helps me, it would probably help them too! It also puts my mind at ease when I’m up after they’ve gone to bed, that they probably can’t hear every little bump and creak I make over the sound of the fan, so I don’t have to tiptoe around hoping I don’t wake them.
Creative Healthy Family says
Thank you for sharing. Sounds like a good idea that my kids will enjoy.
Voonky says
Great Tips!
I am really happy that your kid is following his sleep routine very well. even elders need to have their sleep routine. I was facing some issues for sleep. before some time my dietitian advised me to have a banana after dinner it is full of magnesium and will help me to fall asleep.
Creative Healthy Family says
Thank you! Yes, bananas are great 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
rudy randalls daughter says
umm… so i am a kid writing this comment and i have HORRIBLE times sleeping at night. i wake up in the middle of the night. are there any pills or gummies i can take??
Creative Healthy Family says
There are some over the counter natural supplements. I will check at Whole Foods. Hope this helps 🙂
Mandy Weber says
Here are more tips for older kids: https://www.tidyawaytoday.co.uk/7-ways-to-help-your-teenager-get-a-good-nights-sleep/ Of course, it’s harder to talk a teenager out of using a smartphone. It’s impossible to get my son to stop using his smartphone. He has restless sleep, and the neurologist said that this is caused by excessive emotionality, impressionability, anxiety. His advice is no technology before bedtime, better to read, take a bath, do some stretching. Do you think the child follows this advice?
Well, also essential oils, a good mattress, darkness, and cool air help to create a comfortable environment. But as long as a teenager is stuck on a smartphone until 2 o’clock, the situation is unlikely to change for the better.
Ruby says
I always start with a red bouncy ball for some reason. Then I let it tumble anywhere, often through changing scenes. I can always tell when I’m getting closer to sleep, because the scenes get more disjointed and the ball will start shifting into other, visually similar objects (balloon, cherry, etc.). It feels a bit like going insane, but that’s a small price to pay for easy sleep.
Emma Sivewright says
These tips include using a noise machine while they sleep, scheduling regular check-ins with a doctor, using bright lights at night, and using a bedtime story to help children fall asleep. Craniotomy Adelaide