You tuck them in. You read them stories. You sing them lullabies. Children rely on parents for many of their sleep needs. Some you may not be even aware of. To help you understand why sleep is so important to your child & how you can help him or her sleep better, we've assembled a variety of information that you can review on your own, or together with your young one.

The secret to your childs good night? You!

You tuck them in. You read them stories. You sing them lullabies. Children rely on parents for many of their sleep needs. Some you may not be even aware of. To help you understand why sleep is so important to your child & how you can help him or her sleep better, we've assembled a variety of information that you can review on your own, or together with your young one.

 

Avoid bedtime battles

Sleep is a vital need, essential to a child's health & growth. Sleep promotes alertness, memory & performance. Children who get enough sleep are more likely to function better and are less prone to behavioral problems and moodiness. That's why it's important for parents to start early and help their children develop good sleep habits. Toddlers (1-3 years) need about 12-14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. School-age children, ages 5 to 12, require 10-11 hours of sleep.

Over scheduled Kids

Kids who spend more time in extracurricular activities at the expense of sleep time simply do not perform as they should. Recognize when your child is over scheduled. Make compromises when it comes to your child's extracurricular activities instead of when it comes to sleep. There are no easy choices. School-age children, ages 5 to 12, require 10-11 hours of sleep.

Understand your child's sleep habits

For newborns, sleep during the early months occurs around the clock, and the sleep-wake cycle interacts with the need to be fed, changed and nurtured. Newborns sleep a total of 10.5 to 18 hours a day on an irregular schedule with periods of 1 to 3 hours spent awake.

By the age of two, most children have spent more time asleep than awake, and, overall, a child will spend 40 percent of his or her childhood asleep.

School-age children, ages 5 to 12, require 10-11 hours of sleep. During this age, most children are also experiencing increasing demand on their time from school, in the form of homework, sports and other extracurricular and social activities. This all can add up to difficulties falling asleep, nightmares and disruptions to their sleep

10 simple sleep tips for kids

  1. Sleep on a good bed like Sealy Posturepedic.
  2. Make bedtime the same time every night.
  3. Help your child develop a nighttime routine.
  4. Bedtime should be a positive & relaxing experience without TV, videos or computers.
  5. Encourage your child to fall asleep on his or her own.
  6. Make your child’s bedroom conductive to sleep - dark & cool.
  7. Ensure your child gets the proper amount of sleep every night.
  8. Ensure there is enough time to wind down before bedtime.
  9. Invest in a full size or queen size bed instead of a twin.
  10. Talk to your children about the importance of sleep and healthy sleep habits.

For additional information on sleep wellness, you can visit the National Sleep Foundation at www.sleepfoundation.org or visit the Better Sleep Council Canada at www.bettersleep.ca.

Sealy Posturepedic Product Collections