Hi, I’m Kaylee Cardona. I’m a registered nurse. I spent the last year working as a labor and delivery postpartum and NICU nurse. Three years prior to that, I was working as a pediatric nurse. I’m also a mother of two. One of the most common issues parents face with their babies and toddlers are sleeping issues. The best piece of advice that I can give to parents facing sleep problems with their children is to develop a routine and stick to it.
Establish a Bedtime Routine
One of my favorite things to include in a bedtime routine is bath time. A nice warm bath with calming scents such as lavender and chamomile can really help a baby or toddler to wind down, get them nice and relaxed so that whenever they go to bed, they can fall asleep easier and stay asleep.
Shut off Screen Time
Another super important thing is to shut off screen time at least an hour before bed. Screens can be very stimulating to a child’s mind, so having those off a good amount of time before they’re laying down to go to sleep will help them to relax and fall asleep easier and faster.
Do Calm Activities
Another thing that you can do is to do calm activities. No crazy running around, loud toys. Do things such as coloring in a coloring book or building with blocks, or even sitting on the couch with you cuddled up reading a book. These things are very relaxing to a child and will help them to settle down, calm down, get ready to lie down and go to sleep.
Try Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids
If you’ve been doing these things consistently for two to three weeks and you’re still just struggling to get your baby or toddler to go to sleep, try looking into an over-the-counter sleep aid specifically marketed to children. Look for products containing chamomile. Chamomile is a product commonly used in herbal medicine to help people relax, wind down, and fall asleep. Hang in there. Sleeping issues are so hard because that means that we’re not getting sleep as parents. You’re doing a great job.