Many clients have asked me at this time of year, “what to do with the baby’s sleep on Christmas and New Year’s Eve?”. Especially the night of December 24th is one of the hardest nights to get your child to sleep. He’s so excited to see what Santa Claus has brought that the last thing he wants to do is lie still and go to sleep.
So how do you ensure baby and children’s sleep isn’t impacted at Christmas and New Year?
Here are my top tips for getting your child to sleep peacefully during the holidays:
1. Keep the regular daytime routine
Children like and thrive on routine. Even on vacation, when you are not doing your usual activities, you can keep the regular waking and sleeping times and have meals at standard times. This will help keep your child’s body clock organized.
2. Don’t skip naps
You might be tempted to skip naps because you’re so busy cooking and buying gifts, or you might think skipping naps will make the kids sleep better at night. However, the truth is that overtiredness means difficulty falling asleep and more restless sleep in children.
3. Make a plan and share it with your children
Planning helps kids (and adults) feel calm. It helps them know what’s coming and what to expect. Make a plan for Christmas and let your child know what will happen during the day. For example, you can tell them that you’re going to their grandparents’ house, going for a walk, watching a movie together, having dinner, reading a Christmas story, and sleeping. Once they know the sequence of events, there won’t be as much resistance at bedtime.
4. Involve them in the big day
Children like to participate and feel useful. Let them help decorate the Christmas tree, and ask them to help set the Christmas table. Let them help with whatever little work they are capable of, according to their age group. This will encourage autonomy and independence, generating a feeling of satisfaction and cooperation.
5. Do outdoor activities
We all know that physical activity is vital for children’s development and health. This helps them expend energy and sleep better at night. Also, doing outdoor activities and getting sunlight helps with melatonin production. Melatonin production starts in the early evening and increases when we are exposed to the sun during the day. So go to the park, let them walk, ride their bike, and enjoy the day.
6. Eat well
This time of year is full of sweets and chocolates. Set a time limit for the kids to consume them, that is, until 1:00 pm. Excess sugar gives children a shot of energy, making them restless, and chocolate contains caffeine. Consuming in the mid-afternoon or at night will affect sleep quality.
7. Limit screens and electronic games
Finish Christmas movies well before your child goes to bed. Aim to turn off all screens and electronics at least 1-2 hours before bed. TVs and electronics emit blue light, which affects melatonin production and sleep cycles.
8. Do quiet activities at the end of the day
If your way of celebrating the end-of-year festivities includes many activities, it’s better to do them in the morning and the afternoon. Try to maintain a quiet environment at night so as not to overstimulate the children, making bedtime a battle. Choose quiet activities that do not involve electronics, such as board games, drawing, painting, singing, reading, etc.
9. Don’t keep them up late
Even though it’s a special night and you think your child might stay up late, it will make him overtired, affecting his sleep quality. Keeping a regular bedtime is very important for your child to fall asleep peacefully and sleep well through the night.
10. Enjoy your night!
Remind them that Santa can’t deliver their presents unless they’re asleep! When your child is sleeping, know that you are an excellent mother or father, especially for taking care of your child’s sleep quantity and quality, which will favor his physical and cognitive development. Now enjoy your night, and happy holidays!
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to develop healthy sleep habits for your child and family, schedule a free consultation and start 2023 successfully.
Carla Picolli
carla@nightnight.co.nz
