On August 24th, 2011 Sleepy’s hosted a blogger and press event at our showroom on 5th Avenue in Manhattan. The event brought together notable parenting bloggers in the NYC area to get advice from the Sleep Doctor, Dr. Michael Breus. The Sleep Doctor offered helpful tips to get children back to their school sleep schedule.
After a long summer of late nights and late starts, it is crucial to prepare your child for the dreaded early morning wake up for school. It’s best to start this process ASAP for your child to be back to their school sleep schedule for the first day of school (it should be a gradual process). Here are some great tips for you to try.
- Light Therapy: Children have a hard time readjusting their sleep schedule because their circadian rhythm is off. An easy way to reset their internal clock is with light therapy. There are light therapy boxes you can purchase, but it’s a good idea to talk with your child’s pediatrician first to see which product would be best for your child. For light therapy to work, all you need to do is have the light indirectly hit your child’s eyes. Whether they’re watching TV or playing arts and crafts, you can set up a light therapy box next to them while they are doing their favorite activity. TIP: You can use light therapy to eliminate the effects of jet lag and seasonal depression as well.
- Aromatherapy: I’ve already told you how helpful taking a hot bath or shower before bed will make it easier for you body to relax in preparation for restful sleep. Dr. Breus recommends adding relaxing scents to your hot bath/shower for maximum restful effects. Lavender is the most common scent to induce relaxation.
- Make Bed Time Earlier: This week, try and have your child go to bed 15 minutes earlier. 15 minutes is a small enough, yet effective, interval of time to start resetting your child’s sleep cycle. For one whole week have your child’s bedtime 15 minutes earlier. Then next week, have your child go to bed 15 additional minutes earlier; so that’s 30 minutes earlier than their summer bedtime. It’s a noninvasive, gradual way to have your child in bed earlier and therefore rising earlier in the morning.
If your child is lacking sleep during the school year, it will affect their immune system. Besides having a groggy child on your hands, they will also be more susceptible to sickness if they are sleep deprived. If you try Dr. Breus’ sleep tips and your child is still resistant to wake up in the morning, their mattress should be evaluated (too old, not supportive enough) or they could possibly have a sleep disorder. It is important to talk to their pediatrician if you think your child could have a sleeping disorder.
Contributor: Emily Barrett