Fewer
ZZZs Could Lead to More F’s
Does
back to school mean back to bedtime struggles at your house?
According to Mattress Firm and pediatric neurologist Sujay Kansagra, director of Duke University’s Pediatric Neurology Sleep Medicine Program and author of My Child Won’t Sleep, if any of these phrases sound familiar, you may be unknowingly
sabotaging your child’s sleep – and school success – at
bedtime.
1. “Tomorrow is
a school day – bedtime is an hour earlier!” Right before
the first night of school, parents often move up bedtime by an hour
or more. Children need longer to adjust to a new sleep routine. Move
your child’s bedtime up by 15 minutes per day in the days – or
weeks – leading up to the start of school, until you reach your
school-year bedtime.
2. “You
can watch one cartoon before lights out.” While
watching TV might seem like a good way to let your child wind down,
artificial light from smart phones, laptops and TVs trick the brain
into thinking it is still day time, making it harder to fall asleep.
End screen time at least one hour before bed.
3. “No
soda after dinner!” No soda after dinner is a good
place to start, but even morning caffeine can disrupt nighttime
sleep. Children and adolescents should avoid caffeinated drinks.
4. “You
need to stay in and finish your summer reading.” If
your family put off that reading list until the last week of summer,
don’t let binge-reading cut out your child’s outside time.
Exposure to bright light in the morning can help maintain a healthy
sleep/wake schedule.
5. “Wake
up, sleepy head!” Tried everything and your
child is still sleepy when the alarm goes off? Check out his mattress
and room.
Is
the room too light? Install blackout curtains to block out that
late-summer evening sun.
Is
your child still sleeping on the same mattress he’s had since he
was in diapers? Mattress Firm recommends replacing your mattress
every eight years,as your bed collects a buildup of sweat, dead
skin and dust mites over time.
Is
his mattress too firm or too soft? Just like adults, children have
preferences for firmer or softer mattresses, and the wrong mattress
can make a child toss and turn. Let your child test different
bedding at a Mattress Firm store to know what’s most comfortable
for him.
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