3 tips for “good sleeps” that I learned from my kid
Every morning I ask my two-year-old, "Did you have good sleeps?" And now that she is learning to talk, sometimes she beats me to it and says, "Good sleeps!" before I can ask her.
Here are three key things that we have noticed make a difference in her sleeping:
- activity during the day -- On days where she has been active, especially outdoors, she goes to sleep faster. It makes sense that if you are tired you will sleep well.
- sunshine -- There are two factors here: The first is psychological (which is not to say unreal) in that our bodies seem to appreciate a contrast between day and night (rather than blending them together indistinguishably.) The second factor is that sunlight on our skin releases melatonin into the bloodstream. Melatonin is a natural relaxation and sleep agent.
- a dark bedroom -- This one correlates with the sunshine as a psychological contrast. But also, studies have shown that any light during the night can interrupt our sleep patterns, putting us into "awake mode" before it is time. Since we installed better curtains and shades in our daughter's room, she has been sleeping better.
These tips and more from the Baby Sleep Solution program.
