Ditcham Digest
What Every Parent Needs to Know About Night Wakings and How to Handle Them
Are you a parent struggling with sleepless nights due to your child’s frequent night wakings? You’re not alone! Night-time disruptions are common in young children and can leave parents feeling exhausted and frustrated. In this blog post, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about night wakings and provide practical tips on how to handle them like a pro; so, grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and let’s get started!
What Causes Night Wakings?
There are a number of things that can cause night wakings, and it is often hard to determine the exact cause. Some common causes include:
- teething
- illness
- hunger
- nightmares
- anxiety or fear
- too much or too little sleep during the day
- An inability to self-soothe and fall back to sleep after a sleep cycle.
How to Help a Child Sleep Through the Night
It’s every parent’s nightmare: you finally get your baby to sleep through the night, only to have them wake up again a few hours later. But don’t despair, there are things you can do to help your child sleep through the night.
First, make sure that your child is getting enough daytime sleep. A well-rested child is more likely to sleep through the night. If your child is napping during the day, try to put them down for a nap at least a few hours before bedtime. This will help them be tired enough to sleep through the night.
Second, establish a bedtime routine. A consistent bedtime routine will signal to your child that it’s time to wind down and go to sleep. Try giving them a bath and reading a story before putting them to bed. Also try to ensure that they do not have any screen time at least one hour before bedtime, but preferably two hours before.
Third, make sure their bedroom is dark and quiet. A dark room will cue their body that it’s time for sleep. And if they’re used to sleeping in silence, any noise (including from you) can disrupt their slumber and cause them to wake up. So once they’re in their room for the night, try not to make too much noise yourself.
If your child does wake up during the night, don’t immediately pick them up and rock them back to sleep. This can actually perpetuate the cycle of waking up during the night, as they’ll start to expect being comforted by you.
If your child is waking up at night and you are not sure why, it is important to talk to your Health Visitor. They can help to establish a good bedtime routine and work out if your child is getting enough or too much sleep during the day. If your child is having nightmares, you can try using a night light or soothing music to help them fall back asleep.
Tips for Establishing a Bedtime Routine
It can be tough to get your little one to bed at a reasonable time, but it’s important to establish a bedtime routine. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Start by picking a bedtime that works for your family. It’s important that everyone is on the same page when it comes to bedtime.
- Once you’ve chosen a bedtime, stick to it as much as possible. Consistency is key when it comes to establishing a routine.
- Make sure your child has plenty of time to wind down before bed. This means no electronics in the bedroom and no strenuous activity right before sleep.
- Help your child relax their body with some simple stretching or relaxation exercises
- 5. Create a calming environment in your child’s bedroom. This may include dimming the lights, using a white noise machine, or reading a calming story together.
Common Challenges of Night Waking and How to Overcome Them
One of the most common challenges parents face when their child starts waking up at night is figuring out how to get them back to sleep. This can be a difficult task, especially if your child is used to sleeping through the night. However, there are a few things you can do to help your child fall back asleep.
First, try to stay calm and avoid making any noise that could wake your child up further. If possible, try to move your child back to their bed without speaking to them or touching them too much. Once they are in their bed, give them a few minutes to settle down and fall back asleep on their own.
If your child continues to stay awake you may need to softly pat their back or rub their tummy until they fall asleep. It is important to not stay in the room for too long, as this can actually make it harder for your child to fall asleep on their own.
Summary
Night wakings are a natural part of parenting and a normal part of the development for children. As frustrating as they can be, it is important to remember that there are ways to handle them in order to reduce their intensity and frequency. With some patience and understanding, you can help your child develop healthy sleep habits, allowing everyone in the family more restful nights.
Here are some useful websites that have resources, tools and advice that can also help