"Sleep is the best meditation." — The Dalai Lama
The festive season has arrived and this can sometimes mean your little ones routine may go slightly off schedule due to holidays or visitors coming to the home to celebrate. Here are some tips to help;
#1 Holidays and recreating the sleep environment: If you are planning on going away, it can be helpful to take with you some familiar items from home e.g. sleeping bags, sheets, teddy/ muslin, a favourite story book. These can all help your little one settle better in an unfamiliar environment. White noise can also come in handy to cancel out party sounds.
#2 Routine: Try and stick to your routine as much as possible, sticking to a familiar bedtime routine e.g. bath, teeth clean, story and then bed can help.
#3 Naps: Try not to panic if you are traveling or staying at a relatives, all naps count, whether that is in a cot, buggy or in the car. Try not to panic about this and do not feel pressured by friends or relatives to keep them up, if your baby or toddler is due a nap, they are due a nap!
#4 Fresh air: Even though it may feel too cold to go outside, it is still important to get out and get some fresh air and do some exercise. You might be lucky enough to get some snow, this can be a fun exciting time for children, so embrace it!
#5 Sugary food: Be mindful of how much sugar your little ones are having close to bedtime as this can impact sleep as sugar is a stimulant and can cause an adrenaline rush.
#6 Overstimulation: With all the fun and excitement that comes at Christmas time, lights, music, food, people can all get too much for some little ones. Be mindful they may get overtired quickly and therefore may need earlier bedtimes.
#7 Safe sleep in winter: Lullaby Trust has a winter safe sleep guidance; https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/safer-sleep-winter/
I hope that you all have a great festive period!
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