September can mean a lot of different things. It’s the time that we say goodbye to summer for the year, find ourselves turning the heating on, and take the kids back to school. The beginning of a new school year can be fun and challenging for your child, but can also tamper with any sleeping patterns your child might have adopted over the summer holidays. If you’re facing sleepless nights from your little one, check out these tips on how to plan a back to school bedtime routine.

Establish the amount of sleep they need

It’s important to know the amount of sleep your child should be getting each night in order to plan their bedtime routine properly. If your child is particularly young, they’ll need a lot more sleep than an older child would which is why it’s so vital you ensure their bedtime routine helps this happen.

Do it gradually

If your child has been used to sleeping and waking up at a certain time throughout the summer holidays, it’s not going to be easy to instantly switch back to a more structured routine. Make sure you make gradual changes to their bedtime routine rather than suddenly sending them to bed extra early. Maybe start by setting their bedtime an hour or half an hour earlier than usual and increasing this every couple of days until they become used to the routine.

Promote relaxation before bed

You may know well that winding down before bed is key to a long and deep sleep, and the same goes for kids. Plan time for relaxing activities in the evening such as a hot bath, a bedtime story, or some deep breathing exercises. Using essential oils such as lavender or sandalwood in the bathroom or bedroom is also a good way to help your child drift off.

Plan a productive morning routine

The lack of a morning routine during the holidays is what can make kids more likely to oversleep, making it even more difficult to get up early for school. Plan a motivating routine for your child before school each morning. This could mean getting up and eating a healthy breakfast, having a shower or bath, and spending some time watching a fun and educational kids show, reading a story book or playing a game. A mid sleeper cabin bed with desk can be a good idea for your child’s room, giving a place for your child to sit and play or learn before school.

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