The holiday season is the most exciting and wonderful time of the year, but also the busiest. From family gatherings, gift-giving, and lighting Christmas trees, many activities keep our kids awake, and sometimes, we don't notice that the Christmas season has slowly changed our kids' bedtime routine. If not given enough sleep, children become cranky, and parents will have difficulty preparing for the holidays while babysitting. But to avoid these unwanted circumstances, here are the top tips to keep your kids on a bedtime routine during the holidays:
Make Naps Priority
While it’s important to prioritise regular nighttime sleep, naps are also important in a child's overall sleep health, especially during the holiday season when schedules may be disrupted. Some parents think it is okay to skip daytime naps for their little ones, which often results in an overtired child that gets cranky at night and has trouble falling asleep at night. Just like bedtime, create a consistent routine for naps each day because this helps regulate your child's internal body clock.
Maintain a Bedtime Routine
Maintaining a consistent bedtime routine during the holidays is essential for promoting security and ensuring quality sleep for kids. So, stick to the usual pre-bedtime routine, such as brushing teeth, reading a bedtime story, or other calming activities, because consistency helps signal to the body and brain that it's time to wind down.
Create a Holiday Schedule
Plan a holiday schedule that includes bedtime and wake-up time, and stick to it. Also, consider sharing the schedule with your kids so they know what to expect daily.
Establish a Wind-Down Routine
Establishing a wind-down routine is helpful to condition your child's brain and body from the busyness of the day to a calm and relaxed state before bedtime. Begin with calming activities such as reading a book or a warm bath to signal your child's body that it's time to sleep.
Limit Screen Time Before Bed
The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with the body's natural sleep-wake cycle, so encourage your kids to avoid screens at least an hour before bedtime.
Plan Earlier Events
If possible, schedule holiday events earlier in the day, allowing time for winding down before bedtime, and can help prevent your child's overstimulation close to bedtime.
Create a Relaxing Bedtime Environment
Maintaining a relaxing bedtime environment for your child during the holidays is essential for promoting quality sleep to help them feel secure and more inclined to adhere to their bedtime routine during the festive holiday season.
How to Create a Relaxing Bedtime Environment to Keep Your Kids’ Bedtime Routine
Creating a relaxing bedtime environment for your kids during the holidays involves careful attention to both the physical elements of the sleep space, such as mattresses and bedding, and the room's overall atmosphere.
- Make sure your child's mattress is comfortable and supportive, and choose a mattress suitable for their age and preferences, striking a balance between firmness and comfort. Here are the mattress choices for your child:
- Memory foam mattress that gives cloud-like comfort as it conforms to the body.
- Latex mattress that has hypoallergenic properties for sensitive skin.
- Innerspring mattress for a bouncy feel.
- Hybrid mattress for the combination of both worlds.
- Use soft and cosy sheets of breathable materials, such as cotton or flannel, to create a pleasant sleeping surface. Additionally, layer the bed with a warm, comfortable blanket for added cosiness.
- Provide supportive pillows suited for your child's age and sleeping position, and ensure they are comfortable and not too firm, allowing for proper neck support.
- Allow your children to choose their favourite blanket or quilt to make the sleep space more personal and comforting.
- Opt for warm and soothing colours in the bedding and décor while considering soft textures and materials contributing to a cosy atmosphere.
- Install dimmable bedside lighting to create a relaxed ambience during the wind-down routine because dimming the lights gradually signals the body to prepare for sleep.
- Keep the bedroom tidy and organised because a clutter-free space promotes relaxation and reduces distractions, contributing to a more restful bedtime routine.