Healthy Sleep Starts with Family

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Healthy Sleep Starts with Family by Soda Kuczkowski

Raising healthy sleepers from the onset is a task that takes dedication on the part of parents. In the society we live in, it is often difficult to remember to practice self-care, and we can all too often pass our habits onto our children unintentionally. Many issues that arise from child sleep correlate directly with factors or needs that are not being addressed. Parents can overlook how important the role sleep plays in a child’s development mentally, physically and emotionally and may be too close to see what could be contributing to sleep challenges.

The foundation for healthy sleep habits involve understanding how physical needs, developmental factors such as milestones, social factors and emotional needs, as well as environment, play a part in its success. Consistency is the driver behind it all.

It is best when addressing child sleep to create an environment that is calming, safe and regimented. Children thrive with routine. It is how they learn, through repetition and consistency. Although outside factors can cause ripples in sleep patterns and pose challenges along the way, a strong, consistent sleep plan will help set the tone and positive relationship with sleep as they grow and develop.

Some great relaxing tips to incorporate into a child’s bedtime routine include a bath, reading a favorite book or dimming the lights, as well as the use of darkening blinds to block out any potential light that may be disruptive during the night or cause early rising in the morning. Light tapping, massage therapy and yoga are also increasing in popularity. It is important to remember that the best way to develop a solid sleep plan is to start with assessing the family sleep dynamic, because it is all interrelated.

If it is suspected that a child suffers from a sleep disorder, parents should speak with a pediatrician regarding an evaluation with a sleep medicine doctor or referral for a sleep study.

Soda Kuczkowski is the founder of Start with Sleep, a sleep health education resource center and retail sleep shoppe. She has worked in sleep medicine education for 10 years as a diagnostic sleep consultant and sleep health educator. She is also a maternity, child and family sleep consultant and integrative adult sleep coach. Start with Sleep is located at 1211 Hertel Ave., in Buffalo. For more information, call 716-235-1505 or visit StartWithSleep.com.