As a parent, you know how important sleep is for both you and your child. It is especially crucial during the busy holiday period. With all of its festivities, excitement, visitors, and traditions, being unwell or irritable is the last thing anyone wants. Getting the proper amount of sleep will keep your immune system strong to fend off any holiday bugs, while also improving mood and energy levels so everyone can enjoy the festive period to the maximum.
Getting your child to fall asleep on Christmas Eve can be particularly challenging due to all the fun and excitement. But it is so important that everyone is well-rested so that the special day can be enjoyed to its fullest. This article will look at 5 effective ways to help your little one drift off to dreamland on Christmas Eve.
1. Create A Cosy Bed
Feeling comfortable is a key aspect of falling asleep. You want to make sure your little girl’s bed has lots of cosy blankets. Add some festive fun to their bed by using Christmas themed linen or blankets and buy them some festive pyjamas for the special night. Make sure your child has enough pillows and that there are no bright lights shining that could keep them awake. Hang some soft Christmas lights and/or garlands over and around their bed to add some festivity and Christmas cheer.
2. Limit Their Sugar Intake
Try to limit your little one’s sugar intake on Christmas Eve. Sweet treats are often a part of holiday traditions, but wherever possible, try to make healthier substitutes. Sugar acts as a stimulant and will encourage them to stay up much later, no matter their activity levels during the day. It is difficult to altogether avoid refined sugar during the holidays, so instead try to at least cut sugary servings in half, avoid serving sweetened drinks like soda, and let your little one’s last sweet treat be consumed no later than 2pm. If you can, it is also a great idea to make your own holiday treats. This way you can bake with natural sugar substitutes, such as coconut sugar or green leaf stevia. Natural sweeteners have less of an impact on hyperactivity and do not cause intense blood sugar spikes the way refined sugar does.
3. Enjoy A Festive Bedtime Drink
Having a glass of warm milk before bed is a tradition that has been passed down through generations as a way to cultivate relaxation, relieve anxiety, and facilitate a more restful night’s sleep. There are certain compounds in milk — specifically tryptophan and melatonin — that have been shown to encourage sleep and help you fall asleep quicker. So be sure to include a warm milk drink in your child’s Christmas Eve bedtime routine. There are many recipes available, so spend some time finding one that is full of festive flavours and one your child will love. These are normally very easy recipes that your child could even help prepare with you as a fun and calm festive activity before bedtime.
4. Limit The Use Of Electronics
Be sure to put away all electronics at least an hour before bedtime on Christmas Eve. It may be tempting to watch Christmas movies right up until bedtime, but the electronics will stimulate your child’s brain and sabotage all of your efforts towards a restful sleep. The blue light emitted from the screens of devices could have a negative impact on your child’s sleep as the light impacts melatonin levels which is the sleep-inducing hormone. Therefore try to substitute electronic activities with a calming bedtime activity, such as reading a holiday book, colouring in holiday pictures for Santa, or listening to a Christmas themed bedtime story. These restful activities will be far more beneficial in getting your little one relaxed and ready to nod off to sleep.
5. Have A Day Filled With Activities
Bundle up your children and let them play outside in the daytime while it’s still warm outside. Exercise is highly beneficial for their mood, immune system, and digestion, and it will also help to tire them out earlier which will help them fall asleep quickly at night. So plan some fun holiday activities to keep them busy and entertained all day so that they will be ready for the crucial downtime just before bed.