Sleep is essential for the physical and emotional well being of children. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine reported, a new study shows that when they have a nightly bedtime routine kids sleep better. A regular bedtime routine has been observed to be associated with better sleep in young kids up to 6 years old.
The positive impact on sleep in kids from a regular bedtime routine increases with the consistency of the nightly routine. The researchers observed that kids who had a consistent bedtime routine had better sleep outcomes, which included earlier bedtimes, a shorter amount of time spent in bed prior to falling asleep, decreased night wakings, and increased duration of sleep.
It was found that kids who had a bedtime routine every night slept for an average of greater than an hour longer per night than kids who never had a bedtime routine. The institution of a regular bedtime routine was also associated with less sleep problems and daytime behavior problems according to mothers.
This study has been published in the journal Sleep. It has been recommended that as part of healthy sleep habits a bedtime routine should be established. When kids have a regular nightly bedtime routine they generally have improved sleep. Furthermore, the more consistently a bedtime routine is instituted and the younger it is started the better the outcomes are. It seems like a good idea to help your kids establish a nightly bedtime routine to help them sleep well naturally.
