Sleep has an important place in the development process of the child. Various bodily and mental functions take place during the sleep phase. Children who sleep soundly are more successful in their daily lives and mental functions. Sleep quality is a factor that protects the child against various psychological disorders. Therefore, sleep habits should be introduced to the child at an early age. Sleeping in the child's own bed is one of the most important stages of sleep habits. This process can be challenging for parents in some cases. There are different methods that can be applied to accustom the child to sleep in his own bed. Families can contribute to their children's sleep patterns by making use of these techniques.
Explore the Reasons for Not Sleeping in Your Child's Own Bed
Understanding the reasons is one of the leading methods that can be used to accustom the child to sleep in his own bed. There may be many reasons behind your child's reluctance to sleep in their own room. Some of these reasons are as follows:
- Activities before bedtime: The intensity of activities such as brushing teeth, taking a bath, putting on pajamas before your child goes to bed and taking longer than necessary can affect your energy as a parent. Your child may be affected with you in this mess. As a result, pre-sleep preparations may cease to be a comfortable time for you and your child.
- Your child may not be tired enough: Like every individual, children also expend energy at certain levels during the day. Children who do not show enough activity in their daily life may have difficulty in sleeping.
- Major changes: Children may get used to various changes in the family late. Different factors, such as a new sibling, change of caregivers, moving or changing your child's room, starting a kindergarten or a new school can be perceived as a big change for your child. The restlessness brought about by the change may manifest itself in your child with sleep problems.
- Nap hours: A certain amount of sleep is recommended for all ages. 11-14 per day for 1 or 2 year olds One hour of sleep is sufficient. In older children, this period becomes shorter and shorter. Short sleep activities, also known as naps, can affect basic sleep comfort if they cover a large part of your child's daily sleep needs or if the timing is wrong. Frequency and severity of nightmares are other factors that can affect sleep quality in children. Sleep disorders such as sleep terrors can result in a child being resistant to sleep. Sleep terror is a disorder that is frequently seen in children and is characterized by waking up from sleep in an extremely frightened way. If you think that your child may have a sleep disorder, you can get support from a child psychiatrist, if necessary, beforehand.
- Anxiety of being alone: One of the problems that can be encountered in childhood is separation anxiety. In such a situation, children may hesitate to sleep in their own rooms for fear of being away from their parents. In some cases, your child may ask you to be with him or hold his hand until he falls asleep. In such cases, you should not force your child, and take a patient and supportive approach.
Create Your Bedtime Routine
Some special regions of the brain can be used in various parts of the day. creates a biological clock for activities. Sleep is one of these activities. This is why it is important to set a certain sleep time for your child. Sleep time can be determined depending on the age of the child and factors such as kindergarten and kindergarten. You can apply your bedtime routine with a relaxing atmosphere 15-20 minutes before bedtime. In this routine, you can spare time for your child's personal needs and activities such as calming fairy tales and songs. It may also be helpful to determine how much time you will spend with the child to accustom them to sleeping alone. Having certain hours for the sleep preparation process shortens the time it takes for the child to fall asleep. Thus, the time spent awake in bed can be minimized. This is important so that your child does not worry about sleep. The existence of a routine prepared in this way and that it is stable You can support your child's healthy sleep process.
Prepare a Suitable Environment for Sleep
One of the important factors for the child to sleep in his own room is the order in the room. Good ventilation of the room can facilitate the process of falling asleep. It is important to provide a comfortable atmosphere at the time of preparation for sleep. For this reason, a very bright or noisy environment should be avoided. When your child goes to bed, you can dim the lights in the room. During sleep, you can turn off all the lights or keep them on low. Different educational toys can be used to accustom the child to his room. Thus, the child can spend time in his room during the day. Various activities in the nursery contribute to the process of getting used to the room. In addition, when your child goes to bed, you can increase his comfort by giving him his favorite toys. For older children, you can keep water within reach. Thus, you can minimize your child's reasons for getting out of bed. You can decide together in all the innovations you can make in your child's room, by considering his ideas. In this way, your child can sleep comfortably by adopting his own room.
What You Can Do When Your Child Gets Out of Bed at Night
Although some children have no problem falling asleep, they can get out of bed during the night. Children who get out of bed may want to sleep with their parents. It is important to be patient and understanding in such situations. You can find appropriate solutions by learning the reason for your child to get out of bed. Your child may come to you in fear for any reason. You can talk to him in a calm tone to alleviate his fear. You can comfort your child during this time by accompanying your child until he/she goes to bed. When your child goes to bed, you can caress his head, hold his hand, and get up slowly by touching or giving a small kiss. If her fear continues, you can help her relax by reminding her that you can always be by her side by stating that her door may be ajar. When your child wants you to sleep with him, it is very important that both parents have a determined attitude as parents. . Thanks to these approaches you can take to accustom the child to sleep alone, you can create a healthy sleep pattern for him.
Be Encouraging
This period when your child gains sleeping habits may not be easy for him. In this process, encouragement should be given to accustom the child to sleeping in a separate room. For this purpose, you can read different stories or sing soothing songs to your child when he goes to bed. In addition, you can help your child with the arrangements he wants to make in his room. In the changes you plan to make, you can consider his choices. For example, when choosing a bed, you can choose a type that your child feels comfortable with. Such approaches are effective in adopting the child's room and bed. If your child wakes up frequently during the night, you should remind him that you appreciate him and are proud of him the next morning after he succeeds in sleeping in his bed. A child who sees that his action is appreciated is more willing to repeat that behavior. Thus, it can play an active role in the formation of sleep patterns of its own accord.
Exhibit a Determined Attitude
It is important that you set some limits on your child's sleep pattern. For example, a story you read before bed may not be enough for your child on some days. When you encounter such a situation, you should not go out of your normal routine and guide him to bedtime. When your child wants to sleep with you for one night only, remembering that this can happen again later, you can accompany him to bed. Children who go to bed may want their parents to wait by their side. Similarly, they may cry in order to bring their parents near. In such situations, your commitment to your sleep routine becomes important. The limits you set contribute to your child in the developmental stage to sleep soundly. It can help you to take a determined attitude by remembering that all the methods you use to get the child used to sleeping in their own bed are for their comfort. In all matters related to your child's sleep problems, the child health and patient follow-up You should follow the path by consulting a physician who is expert in medicine and psychology.
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