How to Get Your Child Back on Track with Their Sleep Routine After Summer

Written by iCandy Guest Blogger and Baby & Toddler Sleep Consultant, Charlotte Hillyard.     

The summer holidays are a fun and exciting time for many families. Whether that be days out, holidays abroad or perhaps summer evenings out with family and friends. However, these long summer days can throw off your child’s sleeping routine and with September now here, you may be wondering how you get things back on track. So here are some tips to help you ease back into things, ready for the new academic year. 

Gently move bedtime earlier 

Begin by gently moving bedtime earlier and in turn waking your child up earlier. If possible, try not to go for a sudden shift, as this may be met with some resistance. Instead, try a gradual approach to things, as you’ll have more chance of success. 

Limit screentime before bed 

Where possible, try and limit screentime at least one hour before bed. The blue light that electronic devices emit makes it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Instead, stick to books, audiobooks, meditations or podcasts. 

Re-establish your child’s regular sleep routine 

If your child’s sleep routine has gone adrift over the summer, don’t worry, now is the perfect time to reintroduce it. This could include bathing every night, reading a book again, anything that may have been missed off, gently start to reintroduce this.  

Create a sleep friendly environment 

A dark, cool, quiet room is optimum for getting a good night's sleep. Ensure this is comfortable and distraction free, so that sleep is the main focus. 

Consistency is important 

Consistency is key to getting your child’s sleeping pattern back on track. As much as possible, try and stick to their sleep schedule, even on weekends. Going to bed and waking up the same time, reinforces your child’s body clock, making it easier to fall asleep and to wake up naturally. 

Getting your child back into a healthy sleep routine doesn’t have to be tricky. With a few gentle adjustments (and a sprinkle of patience), you can ensure they are well rested and ready to start school. Research has shown that a well-rested child is more focused, alert and ready to tackle the challenges of a new school year.   

Want to discover more insights from Charlotte Hillyard? Explore her other blogs here!