As every parent knows, getting kids to sleep can be a struggle! With their active little minds, it’s often difficult to unwind and fall asleep. I love discussing parenting tips and tricks as everyone has a different style! It’s always great to hear advice from fellow mums and dads who are going through the same problems! I’ve always found that establishing a solid routine and using all natural products is the best way to take the stress out of bedtime. And the more uninterrupted sleep they have, the more we get!
1. Create a routine that you can stick to
Kids love routine, whether they know it or not. This is so important particularly at bedtime! The first step in teaching kids to go to sleep, is to establish a realistic routine that you can follow every night. For example this may begin with bath time, teeth brushing, reading a book and then going to sleep. Having a routine every night teaches kids when they should start to unwind, as they begin to associate these steps with going to sleep. There is no single routine that every parent should follow, so it’s important to find one that works for both you and your kids… then stick to it!
2. Make bath time relaxing
A bath at night is the perfect time to begin the unwinding process. It’s a great way to get your kids relaxed and ready for sleep. I find that using natural products that have calming benefits make a huge difference. When running the kids’ baths, I love sprinkling in a handful of the Life Basics Bath Softener. Naturopathically formulated with nutrient rich Dead Sea Mineral Salt, these nourishing bath salts also contain Vitamin C to neutralize chlorine in bath water, helping to reduce skin sensitivities and soothe irritations for a peaceful night’s sleep. Add ¼ of a cup to a warm bath to calm restless little ones.
3. Make use of the amazing benefits of magnesium
Calming kids with super active minds and bodies is a challenge. Research has discovered that many children with ADHD are deficient in magnesium.1 It can help to calm children of all ages, so it’s great from the terrible twos through to tricky twins. Studies also show it helps with PMT, which might help you deal with your children on another level!2 For toddlers and young children, adding magnesium crystals to a bath helps to relax the muscles and provide soothing relief for growing pains as well as help to calm racing minds. I love the Elektra Magnesium Mineral Salt Flakes added to the kids' bath, or just swipe the Amazing Oils Baby Magnesium Sleepy Toes Towelettes all over the soles of their feet before bed to ease restlessness and calm them down.
For older children, a foot massage using magnesium cream before bed is a gentle way to connect together and create a new soothing bedtime routine. Our Nourished Life naturopath says magnesium is a useful supplement for children who tend to push themselves either academically or athletically as it helps to manage a healthy response to stress as well as provide relief from restless legs and growing pains. The Elektra Magnesium Cream in Citrus is great for kids as it’s much less potent than magnesium oil, yet still delivers beneficial levels of magnesium!
4. Create the ideal sleep environment
Ensuring that your kids’ bedrooms are the perfect environment for sleeping is crucial. A dark, quiet space is a much more effective sleep environment than a light filled room! Another trick I have picked up is having a toy that signifies sleep time. If they take the same toy to bed each night, it will indicate that it’s time to go to sleep! When you want your kids to get ready for bed, it’s important to turn off any stimulants like the TV. It’s been recommended that two hours before bedtime you should turn off the TV (or computers for older kids!). Research has shown that the light from these screens can have an effect on the production of melatonin, which is the hormone that controls our sleep-wake cycle!3
5. Reduce stress before bed
The Badger Night Night Balm is probably the best kept secret in the history of parenting! This is the kids version of the Sleep Balm. It seems to magically help relax kids with overactive imaginations, hyperactive minds or excitable personalities! Made with soothing ingredients like chamomile, lavender and sandalwood, this product is a must have for any mum or dad! To apply, rub into your child’s pulse points such as temples, neck, belly and wrists at bedtime. It not only helps get them to sleep, it helps keep them there! Check out the Badger Night Night Balm FAQs here for more information.
I find that having a calming routine right before bed is really helpful. If your kids contract a cold, try applying some Little Innocents Organic Vapor Winter Blues Balm. It’s 100% natural and perfect for helping relieve the symptoms of congestion, inflammation and stuffiness. It’s made with gentle ingredients like eucalyptus oil and shea butter to calm your little ones. To apply, rub a small amount onto your baby’s chest. Alternatively, a few drops of the Little Innocents Breathe Easy Essential Oil Blend can be used in an oil diffuser to cleanse the air, assist breathing and minimize allergy symptoms.
If your baby is teething, you’ll know just how painful it can be! The Weleda Baby Teething Powder is ideal for easing the discomfort and restlessness associated with growing new teeth! This miracle product is often referred to in parenting circles as 'baby crack' ! It contains chamomile which works to reduce the swelling and redness of the gums. To use this teething powder, simply mix ¼ of a teaspoon in an equal amount of water. Then rub the product onto their gums. It can even be used on big kids too! Please check the full ingredients in case of any allergies.
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