Raise your hand if you want your kids to go down for the night quickly and without complaining! Every parent wants bedtime to be a relaxing routine, not a fight to the death battle to get your kids out like a light. But most of us can look back and remember the long nights spent on the floor next to the crib, waiting to sneak out until we were sure the kids were asleep, and we have no desire to do that for the next few years! If you need to change up your bedtime process, then look no further. We’ve come up with a great list of easy things you can do to prepare your kids for bedtime and get them sleeping like a baby before you know it!
1. Lavender Oil
Essential oils are growing in popularity as people look for more natural ways to treat a variety of problems. Lavender oil is one of the most versatile oils and it can help your kids reach dreamland in no time. The easiest way to use it is to diffuse lavender leading up to bedtime and in their room. You only need a few drops, and you’ll be shocked how quickly your children calm down. You can also mix with a carrier oil and apply to the bottoms of their feet before bedtime.
Source: BedBath&Beyond.com
2. Blackout Curtains
I always seem to sleep later in the morning when traveling and thats because most hotels have blackout curtains. Even though you think your mini blinds keep enough light out for you to fall asleep, your child is much more sensitive to the light. Blackout curtains are very effective in keeping out exterior light, therefore creating an ideal environment for quick and deep sleeping. The good news is they aren’t all ugly or expensive! You can pick from a variety of colors and they can be purchased for under $40. Money well spent in my opinion!
3. Routine
No matter how many tricks you have up your sleeve, if you don’t have a good and consistent bedtime routine, you are going to have a battle every night. You don’t have to sing songs, read 10 books or anything fancy. Maybe you just need to have a bath, bedtime milk, and a few minutes on the couch with Dad. Whatever you decide, you should make it consistent. Try and avoid loud and bright activities, like watching television which can prevent the release of melatonin in the body.
Source: Amazon
4. Multivitamins
You may have heard that a deficiency in magnesium can cause sleep problems, and that’s true for children just as much as it in adults. Kids are picky eaters at best, so it’s no surprise that they can be lacking some vital nutrients from time to time. An imbalance between magnesium and calcium specifically, can cause major issues with relaxing and falling asleep, as calcium constricts the muscles while magnesium should relax them. A multivitamin can greatly help your kids’ bodies get the balance they need, and help with an easier plight towards bedtime!
Source: Amazon
5. Weighted Blankets
Studies have shown that using a weighted blanket helps apply just enough pressure to your body that endorphins and serotonin are released. These are the chemicals that help your body to relax, and when you pair this with a dark room, the body then converts them into melatonin. If you have a child who has a difficult time falling asleep, then a weighted blanket may do the trick. They are often used for people with sensory processing and autism disorders and work wonders.