Sleep Well
Some babies sleep much more than others. Some sleep for long periods, others in short bursts. Some soon sleep through the night, while some don't for a long time. Your baby will have their own pattern of waking and sleeping, and it's unlikely to be the same as other babies you know.
To find out more about infant sleep please visit NHS - Help your baby to sleep.
If we don’t get enough sleep, then it can make us cross and irritable and make it more difficult to concentrate on tasks throughout the day. Sleep is really important as our bodies' go through big changes as we grow.
Here are some top tips to make sure that you get a good night's sleep:
- Try a nice, warm drink or a warm bath before bed
- Read a story or get someone to read a story to you
- Say no to screen time at least an hour before bed
- Try and sleep in a quiet and dark room
Sleep is really important to a child or young person’s overall wellbeing. A lack of sleep will make them tired and irritable and likely to crave sugary foods to keep them awake throughout the day.
YouTube video by 'The Sleep Council'
How much sleep does a child need?
At different stages of development, children need different amounts of sleep. The length of time your child needs to sleep varies dependent upon age. To see how much sleep your child needs, visit the NHS Sleep page.
How to encourage healthy sleep patterns
With younger children it’s really important to establish a bedtime routine. Try to stick to the same bed time and ritual; a warm bath before bed, reading a book, playing calming music. A darkened room will also help your child to drift off to sleep.
If you have a teenager, think about encouraging them to:
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Help their brains unwind by going offline
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Drink a warm, caffeine free drink
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Listen to calming music
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Keep to a regular routine
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Not go to bed hungry
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Get active throughout the day
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Talk about any worries
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Dim the lights
For more information, visit the Sleep Council website.
YouTube Video 'Rise Above'
Did you know you actually need about 9 hours sleep each night?
You may feel really alert in the evening and find it impossible to go to bed early. This is because teenage brains tend to be more awake at this time, which is why it’s so difficult to get up in the morning.
Top Tips for a Better Sleep:
- Help your brain unwind by going offline
- Share your worries
- Get active throughout the day
- Avoid fizzy drinks and drinks containing caffeine. Milk or Water are best
- Don’t go to bed hungry
- Keep to a regular routine
- Dim the lights
- Listen to calming music
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