Sleep & Children

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These are some tips to help your child sleep better:
-Follow a consistent bedtime routine. Set aside 10 to 30 minutes to get your child ready to go to sleep each night.
-Establish a relaxing setting at bedtime.
-Interact with your child at bedtime. Don’t let the TV, computer or video games take your place.
-Keep your children from TV programs, movies, and video games that are not right for their age.
-Do not let your child fall asleep while being held, rocked, fed a bottle, or while nursing.
-At bedtime, do not allow your child to have foods or drinks that contain caffeine. This includes chocolate and sodas. Try not to give him or her any medicine that has a stimulant at bedtime. This includes cough medicines and decongestants.

A child who gets enough sleep and sleeps well is more likely to be cheerful during the day. The better the child sleeps, the happier the entire family will be. Most sleep problems in children are not a result of bad parenting. These problems also do not mean that there is something seriously wrong with your child.