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Sleep Environments

When creating a sleep environment for young children here are a few great tips that can create sleep being a more peaceful routine.

Sleep rituals: use a regular sleep routine where children wake and go to bed at the same time each day. Be predictable and have some special rituals such as into their pjs and sleep sack, cuddle their “lovey” or special toy, read a story and into bed. At night you would include a bath in the rituals as part of the relaxing time ready for bed.

Environment: have a very plain, peaceful room preferably free of pictures or mobiles hanging, as these can be stimulating for young tamariki and can work against the child falling asleep.

Temperature: the room should be between 18-20 degrees to ensure children are warm enough throughout their sleep. Using a sleep sack can be beneficial as they stay put all, especially overnight, unlike blankets that can fall off or ride up. Then layer children accordingly with the seasons.

White noise: can have positive effects on children’s sleep. It provides a consistent, soothing, and relaxing environment and can be a quality sleep tool for tamariki to associate with bedtime. White noise can block out external noises which can often interrupt a child’s sleep.

Darkness: after 3 weeks of age darkness becomes an important part of the sleep environment. The child’s maternal melatonin starts to wear off and they need to produce their own melatonin from the serotonin in their body. Serotonin can only be converted to melatonin in the dark so, ideally looking for approx. 8/10 on a scale of darkness.

Information provided from a sleep consultant