Being a night owl or a morning person are habits that are genetically predisposed. But, there are good ways to adjust a child’s sleep cycle.
Having two kids exposed me to different sleep cycles. One time, my eldest sleeps late, while my youngest sleep too early. And I am there, sleepless. Sometimes, our night becomes a struggle, and getting them to bed is difficult.
But, I’ve found some useful tips on how to adjust a toddler’s sleep cycle.
1. Use morning light.
Allowing the bright morning light to penetrate your room will help your toddler to wake earlier and go to bed earlier. Try to open the windows and curtains 30 minutes before you want your child to wake up.
You can also take early more walks to help condition their body and get a little excercise.
2. Avoid electronics before bed.
Blue light from electronics can keep children awake. It’s best that they avoid using electronic devices at least 90 minutes before bedtime.
You can turn these devices off and use night lights or lamps instead of overhead lights to make the room a lot cozier for bedtime.
3. Give warm baths.
Giving warm baths at least 90 minutes before bedtime can help set your child fall asleep. The hot water can help shift your body’s core temperature so that you go to bed with a lower temperature. A drop in temperature helps signal to the body that it’s time for bed.
4. Keep your child on a regular sleep schedule.
A common mistake parents make is by letting the child miss the sleep schedule. However, this isn’t a good habit because your child’s body clock may adjust to the later hours, creating more problems when you go back to their regular schedule.
Sleep is essential for every child. It will help their brain and body develop. Thus, it is necessary to put importance on their sleep schedule. Try following the steps above and let me know if it works wonders with your child too!
Dabawenya Mommy 