Scientific evidence shows that parents play an important role in their baby and toddlers sleep habits and behaviours. This is good news because it means that parents can help build positive sleep habits for their children.
We often look at baby sleep, but what about pre-schoolers?
There are many hurdles that pre-schoolers aged around 3-4 years face when it comes to sleep. What are the sleep hurdles for a preschooler?
Sometimes it might feel like your little one is allergic to sleep. There are several sleep problems that can occur around this age.
Some problems include:
- Early morning waking
- Resisting bedtime
- Refusing to sleep in their own bed
- Co-sleeping (when you don't want it!)
- Waking during the night
- Night terrors and nightmares
- Kicking off blankets and getting cold
Causes of preschooler sleep issues:
There are many causes that are unique to your little one. Here are a few common ones:
- Most children are now adapting to an early learning or kindergarten facility. This means they are spending a lot less time with their parents than before and might be simply missing you, which is why they want extra time awake at night!
- Make sure to give them plenty of attention and affection during the day (especially in the lead up to bedtime). At this age, they are also learning to play with other children. Maybe they have a secret anti-sleep club where they see who can wake their parents up the most.
- More likely they are just adjusting to socialising during the day and may be thinking about all the new people in their life that are disturbing pre-set routines.
Top tips for helping preschoolers to sleep
1. Introduce a consistent bedtime routine.
This is because this routine helps clue your little one into what is going to happen next. Your pre-schooler is smart enough to understand a routine, and this will help them mentally prepare for sleep. Dress them in an ergoPouch TOG rated Sleep Suit Bag or Sleep Onesie with legs, so they have the freedom to move their legs in bed.
Tips for a good routine include:
- A wind-down period (preferably with no technology) of 30 minutes to an hour to help calm them down from the day
- Include a bath and book or similar story-time before bed to get them relaxed
- Turn the lights down and keep the house as quiet as possible when taking them to bed
- Give your child a comforter or favourite soft toy
- Tuck your child snugly into bed, so they feel warm and secure
- Always dress them in their ergoPouch it will be a friendly reminder sleep time is imminent.
2. Introduce a night light.
This is especially helpful for little ones with a fear of the dark. Try use one with a red globe as this promotes the sleepy hormone melatonin. The Blobby Bedtime Lamp helps wind down for sleep by easing any nighttime worries, encouraging independence, and adding a sprinkle of colourful magic to bedtime.
When it’s time for the bedtime story, affirmation cards or cuddle, turn Blobby on by tapping on its soft, silicone head or squeezing its belly. Blobby is designed to help make this stage of bedtime more inviting, providing a soft calming light as your child decompresses and prepares for sleep.
When it’s time to turn the lights out and go to sleep, ask your child to role play by saying “goodnight Blobby” and tapping or squeezing Blobby’s head or belly and cycling through the colours (in rainbow mode) or dimness levels (in warm light mode) to shut off for sleep. If your child prefers to fall asleep with a soft light, simply squeeze Blobby’s head or belly until you reach the lowest warm light level.
Children feel empowered to take charge of their bedtime routine, fostering a sense of confidence, creativity and independence. Bedtime becomes a joyful experience that your child looks forward to each night, making the wind-down to sleep smoother, and more enjoyable for everyone.
3. Introduce a comforter.
Giving them a comforter can really help alleviate some of their anxiety and make them feel secure. You can also try dressing a special soft toy or doll in a Doll Sleeping Bag to encourage positive sleep associations.
4. Remain calm, clear and consistent.
There is nothing more confusing than not knowing what exciting thing might happen the next time I run into Mum and Dads room! For a child, how you react is the most exciting thing in the world and definitely more exciting than staying in bed.
Tip: Try implementing the sleep science silent return. This involves calmly asking your child to return to bed. Keep your voice neutral and the same each time. If you have to walk them there, take them there and remind them how you are just around the corner. Do this again and again until your little one learns to stay in their own bed. It does take little ones 3-14 days to form a habit!
5. Ensuring they are warm enough
When your little one wears their ergoPouch Sleep Suit Bag or Sleep Onesie, there is no need for extra blankets, meaning your little one won't wake in the night complaining of being cold.
If your (now big) kid is rejecting their Sleep Suit, we offer Long Sleeve Pyjamas in a range of TOGs up to 2.0 TOG, meaning that even if they kick off the blankets, they should still stay warm.
You can also introduce the DreamRoll Sleep Mat if they are waking cold in only their pyjamas. The DreamRoll is an all-in-one sleep solution designed for sleep out of home, however it can also be used for those little ones who haven't yet learned to keep the blankets in place. Simply remove the inflatable mattress and use it as a blanket which zips up the side and is less likely to be removed by a wriggly kid. It's recommended for 2-6 year olds with a max height of 145cm.
Safety considerations
Now that your mini is in a big bed, they have access to other areas of the house during sleep times. Consider how safe the rest of their room and house is, in the event, they wander out. Red Nose have some great guidelines to review to help you with this;
- Keep dangling cords, strings and mobiles out of reach as they could get caught around a child's neck
- Keep heaters, electrical appliances and access to power points well away to avoid the risk of overheating, burns and electrocution
- Ensure stairs and windows are not accessible
- Pay special attention to potential hazards that may result in falls, drowning, strangulation, entrapment or poisoning
- When removing the sides from a cot or transitioning to a toddler bed or big bed, you may choose to start with a mattress on the floor, or consider a safety rail to prevent falls out of bed in the night. Safety Rails must have no spaces between bars or panels bigger than 95mm to prevent a young child to becoming trapped.
With love,
eP X