Free sleep strategies to help your child sleep well
Did you have trouble with your child falling asleep at the start of the night, staying asleep or waking early? Here are a number of clinically validated, evidence-based sleep strategies that can help you and your child get a good nights sleep.
Strategies to help your child fall asleep at the start of the night
My child is anxious and worries at bedtime
Anxiety at bedtime leads to children lying in bed worried or frightened and unable to settle to sleep, or waking and being unable to settle back to sleep. Helping them overcome their night time worries teaches them skills they can use in other areas.
My child leaves the room after I put them to bed
A Bedtime battler stalls or refuses to go to bed at an appropriate bedtime, has difficulty getting to sleep once in bed, and gets in and out of bed or calls out a lot. However, once asleep they will usually sleep well.
My child needs a specific item or person present
Some children are unable to fall to sleep without the presence of a special person, thing or activity. This can stop children from falling asleep at the start of the night, and make it hard for them to get back to sleep when they naturally wake in the middle of the night too.
My child takes longer than 30 minutes to fall asleep
Being consistent will increase your chances of success with improving your child’s sleep patterns. It is important to stick to good sleep habits, even on weekends and holidays, otherwise your child’s sleep patterns can get confused.
Strategies to help your child waking during the night
My child panics at night but doesn’t wake up
In a night terror your child suddenly becomes agitated, perhaps crying or screaming, looking panicked, sweating and inconsolable – however, this does not usually wake your child.
My child has bad dreams and wakes up
Nightmares are frightening dreams that usually wake your child. If your child’s nightmares are severe, meaning that they happen often and are causing anxiety problems for your child during the day and at bedtime, speak to your family GP
My child sleep walks/ sleep talks
Sleep walking and sleep talking are when your child walks around or talks as if awake, but is actually asleep. Sleep walking and sleep-talking do not hurt your child, and most kids grow out of it.
Strategies to help your child waking before 6am
My child wakes up before 6am
My child needs help with waking at an appropriate time.
