1:00 AM 14th December 2024
family
Festive Sleep Tips: Help Little Ones Drift Off On Christmas Eve
![Image by Daniela Dimitrova from Pixabay]()
Image by Daniela Dimitrova from Pixabay
The excitement of Christmas can make bedtime feel like an impossible task for parents. Between the anticipation of Santa’s arrival, extra treats, and disrupted routines, little ones might find it harder than usual to wind down. Explore Learning has teamed up with Chelsey Borson, a paediatric sleep consultant, to share some tweaks to your evening, that can help your child drift off peacefully, ensuring they wake up refreshed for the big day ahead. Here are some simple but effective tips to encourage festive slumber:
1. Watch out for secret bedtime saboteurs
It’s no surprise that Christmas brings an abundance of sugary treats and indulgent meals, but some of these can unintentionally keep children awake. If your family enjoys fizzy caffeinated drinks, rich desserts, or heavy festive dinners close to bedtime, it might make nodding off harder.
Chelsey explains:
"In addition to the usual factors that impact sleep in children, such as screen time and inconsistent routines, there are unexpected things that could be affecting children's sleep patterns. Sugary or caffeinated drinks, as well as heavy or spicy foods, can stimulate the body and make it difficult for children to fall asleep. Limiting these treats in the hours before bedtime can go a long way."
2. Start early to prepare for Christmas excitement
The excitement of Christmas Eve can throw children’s sleep schedules out of sync, especially with later nights, festive lights, and so much happening around the house. To help them adjust, start preparing a few days in advance.
Chelsey suggests:
"With the big day approaching, one top tip I recommend is gradually adjusting the bedtime routine in the days leading up to Christmas Eve. By moving bedtime 15 minutes earlier each night, parents can help their children's internal clocks adapt gradually, making it easier for them to settle even amid the holiday excitement."
3. Keep the bedtime routine consistent
With all the excitement of the festive season, routines often slip—but sticking to your child’s regular bedtime ritual can work wonders in signalling to them that it’s time to sleep, even on Christmas Eve.
Chelsey says:
"Research shows that consistent bedtime routines play a critical role in promoting better sleep for children.
"Children with regular bedtime routines experience improved sleep quality and fewer sleep problems compared to those without consistent routines. Establishing a predictable routine signals to children's bodies that it's time to sleep, making it easier for them to wind down and fall asleep."
With these tips, you can help your little ones settle down and wake up refreshed for the magic of Christmas morning. For more advice and resources to support your child’s routine and learning, discover
Explore Learning today.