It was the night before Christmas and throughout the house, not a single creature was moving… except for your overly drunk baby.
It’s understandable that many children around the world will have a hard time sleeping on Christmas Eve in anticipation of a visit from St. Nick – and they’ll likely follow his Santa Trucker itinerary, too. But if they are up all night enjoying sweets and watching movies, they will be too exhausted to celebrate Christmas.
Here are four tips from the experts on how to help your children sleep easier on Christmas Eve, courtesy of sleep experts from UK mattress store Bed Kingdom (Opens in a new tab). Even if your child sleeps on one of the best mattresses, that alone will not be enough to counteract the unbridled excitement of the holiday. Here’s what you can do…
Why help your kids sleep on Christmas Eve?
According to a spokesperson from Bed Kingdom: “Spending Christmas with family is something many of us look forward to all year long, but having young children around makes it even more special. However, it can sometimes feel like nothing gets them to sleep on Christmas Eve, which leads to Disturbed sleep at night.
Like adults, children who don’t get enough sleep are vulnerable to mood swings, cognitive problems, and lethargy, among other negative effects. For kids staying up late on Christmas Eve, it could lead to an unhappy Christmas day for them (and maybe their families too).
Following the expert tips below will ensure your child gets a good rest and is able to fully enjoy the wonder of Christmas.
4 ways to help your kids sleep on Christmas Eve
1. Don’t drastically change their nighttime routine
School-age children need Nine to 11 hours of sleep (Opens in a new tab) Every night. Changing your child’s sleep routine so that he can stay up late on Christmas Eve can tire him out the next morning, especially if he plans to wake up earlier than usual.
Routine is crucial to babies’ sleep, as things like a bedtime story or a shower can signal to their brains that bedtime is approaching. A drastic change in their bedtime ritual will remove those familiar cues that will remind them of sleep.
However, you can celebrate Christmas Eve in a way that does not ruin your child’s schedule. For example, have an early dinner to keep the kids busy without being overly excited, or count down until an hour before bedtime to get them into their bedtime routine with ease.
2. Avoid sugary foods after dinner
Sure, birthday cakes and candy canes abound, but if your child is chomping on candy too close to bedtime, he’ll have a harder time settling down for the night. Of course, you don’t have to deprive your child of these treats completely — right after midday.
Meanwhile, if your little one is looking for a bedtime snack, choose food and drink that help with sleep. This would be anything rich in tryptophan (a sleep-inducing amino acid) or magnesium — for example, milk, avocado, almonds, and sugar-free dark chocolate.
3. Make sure screen time doesn’t interfere with bedtime
Your child may want to stream their favorite Christmas movies on the family smart TV or scroll through an endless stream of TikTok videos on their tablet. That’s fine, as long as they turn off their electronics a couple of hours before bed.
Studies show Screens from TVs, phones, and other devices emit blue light, which suppresses production of the sleep hormone melatonin. Using these tools too close to bedtime can trick your child’s brain into thinking it’s still daytime, and he’ll have more trouble falling asleep.
You can limit the after-dinner time by getting your family involved in a technology-free (or low-tech) activity like telling Christmas stories or playing board games.
4. Keep your child active during the day
Your child is full of festive energy, so be sure to channel it wisely. Encourage them to walk around the neighborhood or play their favorite sport in the morning or afternoon. If the weather isn’t conducive to outdoor activities, browse YouTube for kid-friendly exercises that can be done safely indoors.
Either way, an active, energetic day will translate into a better night’s sleep for your little one, as they will burn off their energy.
Will these sleep tips help adults, too?
Definitely. If you’re caught up in the excitement of the holidays, the following tips will help you unwind, too. What’s more, children and adults can adhere to this advice all year round to help them sleep better naturally.
You can also check out TikTok’s top sleep hacks if you’re looking for more unconventional ways to crush sleepless nights, though we don’t recommend trying these methods with young children as they are usually tested by adults.
However, if you still aren’t sleeping well despite your best efforts to maintain a healthy routine, your mattress may be to blame. It might be time to check out the best mattress sales after Christmas and usher in the New Year with a rejuvenating sleep setup that will leave you feeling refreshed every day.
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