‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads…’
‘The Night Before Christmas‘ by Clement Clarke Moore is a favorite story in our home. Truth be told, it’s part of the overall strategy in helping the little ones get to sleep. Such is the excitement about Santa coming, bedtime routines can prove difficult at this time of year.
Chatting with friends it seems that everyone has their own special sleep strategies employed. From elves appearing from behind their Elf doors checking that everyone is fast asleep; to Santa’s Robin peering inside our homes to see whether the tots are being naughty or nice – it’s that little bit of (sleep management) magic that helps mums and dads up and down the country.
School Age Children and Sleep
Christmas time can be mesmerizing for children but it’s usually when they get to school age that the excitement of Santa coming really kicks in. With new toys to play with, TVs and games consoles aplenty – never mind all those sugary treats on offer - it can be difficult for them to nod off at nighttime.
With all that over-stimulation during the festive season this can sometimes be difficult to achieve: leading to difficulties in children falling asleep, experiencing disrupted sleep or, in some cases, bad dreams. To make sure that Santa can deliver presents to all the good boys and girls this Christmas, we’ve put together our top kids’ sleep tips – a little present to you from us
Sleep Tips for Children
- Whether it’s Christmas Eve night or not, children need a regular and consistent bedtime routine – children aged five to 12 need an average of 10-11 hours of sleep.
- Difficult as it is, it’s important to keep TVs, games consoles, mobile phones and computers out of the bedroom.
- Too many sugary sweets and treats or eating too much or too little close to bedtime may prevent sleep onset or disrupt sleep. Try and keep the Christmas sweetie stash off limits before bedtime and limit how many treats children get. Not just bad for sleep, but not too good for their teeth either!
- Ensure a good sleep environment for your child. A bedroom that is dark, cool, quiet, safe and comfortable is important.
- It’s fair to say that none of us sleep well on a uncomfortable bed, and children are no different. Make sure their bed is clean, comfortable and supportive. If you’re not sure if their bed is giving them the proper support take the Sleep Council’s Bed M.O.T. to see whether it’s time for a new one.
- If you’re thinking about buying a new bed for your child this Christmas or New Year, check out our range of kids’ beds online or in-store.
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”
What to do next
At Dalzell’s of Markethill our expert staff are on-hand to advise on any sleep questions you may have. As a Sleep Council retailer, we take your concerns seriously and will provide you with the best advice on beds, mattresses and bedding to suit your particular circumstances. Visit us in-store, call 028 3755 1260 or email where you’ll find lots of information on getting a good night’s sleep, best buys and choosing the right bed for you. A short drive from Lisburn and located conveniently between Armagh and Newry, we’re perfectly placed to accommodate your new bed purchase. What’s more, we provide a Free Collection and Recycling of Your Old Bed service and Free Delivery of your New Bed throughout Northern Ireland, and Counties Louth, Monaghan and Dublin. *Delivery throughout the rest of Ireland available at Highly Competitive Rates.
