Information and Resources For Health Visitors and Healthcare Professionals

Most children have to learn good sleeping habits and are very important not only for the child but also for the parents.
The following is a checklist on how parents can promote/ teach their children how to following a good sleeping pattern. This can be printed and handed out at baby clinic or at postnatal groups.

HEALHY TIPS FOR PARENTS ON PROMOTING SLEEP

1. Remember the ‘golden rule’ you can’t make your child go to sleep but you can help him/her to feel good about going to bed!

2. Always remember……every child varies in the amount of sleep they need and it is very normal for
a child to wake at least
once during the night.

3. Sleep problems in children are very common and often arise because of
changes in routine due to moving house, staying at another house to sleep, the
birth of a sibling or illness

4. A bedtime routine is very important and encourages a child to fall asleep
easily.

A routine could include:

5. If possible and after 6 months of age it is advisable for your child to have
his/her own room, they always settle better in their own room.

6. Try and put your child down to sleep when they are awake or drowsy rather
than fully asleep. This will help them fall asleep on their own.

7. Research shows that after 6 months of age babies do not need to feed at night,
but this is also a parental choice, so decide if you still want to feed your child at night.

8. When your child wakes (and you have decided not to feed) a prompt but quiet
manner will help to settle your child.

The following idea may help:

9. Set a regular bedtime which fits in with your child and your family, e.g. most
parents aim between 7-8pm

10. Most sleep problems are attempts to gain parents attention. It is up to you to
decide what limits to set on what attention the child receives. Remember
these tips do not apply if your child is teething or is unwell

GOOD LUCK!!

IF SLEEP DOES NOT IMPROVE PLEASE SEE YOUR HEALTH VISITOR

Health Visitor

This page can be printed on your computer for your parenting classes

Previous features:

clinical audit
student planner
the birth book
the food diary
the caseload profile
the baby massage attendance sheet
readiness for toilet training