A child's sleep: tips for parents who are rarely talked about

Most of the tips for improving children's sleep are known: observe the regime, turn off gadgets before bedtime, do not give sweets at night… But what if your child still does not sleep well? Let's break down the unique and little-known techniques that can help you.

Unusual tips for a sound sleep of the child

1. Daytime “rehearsal” of falling asleep

If the child is afraid to sleep alone or spins for a long time before going to bed, try to arrange a “training” process of falling asleep during the day.

 How to do it?
• During the day, do a mini-stacking for 5 minutes: put the child to bed, turn out the lights, do a relaxing massage.
• It will help the child to get used to the ritual of sleeping without pressure and fear.

2. Pajamas with the smell of parents

Babies and young children sleep better if they smell Mom or Dad.

How to do it?

• Put your child's pajamas on for a few hours (or just hold the cloth in your hands).

• The smell of the parent will create a sense of security and help you fall asleep faster.

3. “Soft transition” to a night's sleep

The abrupt transition from wakefulness to a night's sleep can prevent the child from falling asleep.
 How to do it?

• Enter the “transition stage”: before the sleep ritual, let the child spend 10 minutes in a darkened room without games and bright lights.
• You can ask your child to put toys to sleep so that he or she can prepare for sleep.

4. Use the “nest” effect

The baby sleeps better if he feels a safe space around him.

 How to do it?

• If the baby is often tossing and turning in a dream, try to fold a large towel with a “snake” and put it around the body (not under the head!). This will create a feeling of coziness, like in my mother's arms.
• For babies, cocoons and special “nests” for sleeping work well.

5. Set a “reverse” alarm

Some children wake up too early and wake up their parents.

 How to do it?

• Take a night light with a timer or just put a lamp with a soft light.
• Explain to the child: “When the light comes on, you can get up.”
• This will help teach the child to wait for the right time to get up.

6. Play “quiet night” in the afternoon

Some children do not sleep well because they are used to noise and activity.

 How to do it?

• In the afternoon, try the game: “Let's pretend that night has already come.”
• Ask the child to lie still for 3–5 minutes, close their eyes, listen to the silence.
• It will help the body and brain learn to relax before going to bed.

7. Massage the ears before going to bed

Ear massage reduces stress and helps you fall asleep faster.

How to do it?

• Gently massage the earlobes and the area behind the ears before going to bed.
• This technique works especially well if the child is overexcited.

8. Prohibition of “harmful” conversations before bedtime

It is difficult for a child to fall asleep if he heard something disturbing before going to bed.

 How to do it?

• Do not discuss complex topics before going to bed: assessments, punishments, scary stories, plans for tomorrow.
• Replace conversations with warm memories or dreams: “Do you remember when we walked by the river?”

9. “Tapping” the body before going to bed

Lightly tapping your fingers on your body relieves tension.

How to do it?

• Tap your fingers on your child's back, knobs, and legs.
• It helps the brain switch to a state of relaxation.

10. Changing the side of the bed

Sometimes a child just gets tired of sleeping in the same place.

 How to do it?

• Try turning the pillow over or putting the baby on the other side of the bed.
• For many children, this makes sleeping more interesting and comfortable.

11. Use the “substitution effect”

If the child wakes up at night and calls you, he is just used to your help.

How to do it?

• Instead of immediately approaching, try sending a soft toy or blanket to him (let him “cover” the child instead of you).
• This will help to gradually teach the child to calm down without parents.

12. Turn on “sleep breathing”

If your baby can't sleep, try slowing down your breathing next to him.

How to do it?

• Lie down next to each other and start breathing slowly and deeply.
• The child will instinctively begin to repeat your rhythm, and his body will relax.

Conclusion

If the child does not sleep well, sometimes unexpected things can change everything. Try non-standard techniques: ear massage, changing the side of the bed, daytime sleep rehearsal or the “sleep breathing” method. These little tricks can be your secret weapon in the fight for a healthy childhood sleep.