Children should have a regular bedtime and wake up time. Younger children should have an established nap time and this schedule should be rigidly enforced.
Avoid giving your child anything that contains caffeine after the evening meal, which should be no later than 6 pm. Caffeine is found in most soft drinks. Buy caffeine free soda or offer the child a drink of milk or juice.
Make your child’s bedroom comfortable, cozy and age-friendly.
Limit drinks before bedtime. Only one small drink should be given after the evening meal. This is especially important in children who suffer from reflux or who wet the bed.
Be sure your child has regular meals and a good exercise regime.
Use the child’s bed only for sleeping. It should not be a place where your child plays, reads or watches TV.
Keep a journal. Each night record your child’s activities before he goes to bed. What does he eat or drink and when? What time does he go to the bathroom? What were the last activities he participated in? Along with these, record weather conditions and any other information that you feel is pertinent to help your child’s pediatrician pinpoint the cause of the problem. This ensures that she will be able to create a successful treatment agenda.
Your child’s sleep patterns are important to both his physical and mental well being. He will not do well in school if his sleep patterns are irregular. In order to ascertain that your child is productive, healthy and happy, be alert to any sleep disruptions that occur and speak to his pediatrician concerning them.