Sleep Habits – Children

Set up a bedtime routine to help your child get ready for bed and sleep. For example, read together, cuddle, and listen to soft music for 15 to 30 minutes before you turn out the lights. Do things in the same order each night so your child knows what to expect.
Have your child go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning.
Keep your child’s bedroom quiet, dark or dimly lit, and cool. Keep televisions and computers out of your child’s room.
Limit activities that stimulate your child, such as playing and watching television, in the hours closer to bedtime.
If your child wakes up and calls for you in the middle of the night, make your response the same each time. Offer quick comfort, but then leave the room.
Help prevent nightmares by controlling what your child watches on TV.
Do not try to wake your child during a night terror. Instead, reassure and hold your child to prevent injury.
If your child sleepwalks, keep the windows and doors locked during sleep time.
If your child is overweight, help your child work towards a healthy weight. Being overweight can cause sleep problems or make them worse.

Services related to this information:

811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555

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