How to Create a Perfect Sleeping Environment for Your Child

There are many articles, blog posts and scientific papers written on the subject of the importance of sleep, especially when it comes to children, but not many of them offer concrete tips on how to create a good sleep environment for your child.


The main problem, as most experts agree, is that we are living in an overstimulated environment, exposed to an overload of advertisements and screens. That puts a lot of pressure on our brain, which actually needs time to relax and not have to absorb and process so much. It seems as the society has forgotten all about doing things in moderation.





Overstimulation, it has been confirmed, leads to insomnia, anxiety and stress, which is definitely something we’d like to avoid and particularly something we don’t want to expose our children to. So, what is it that we can do to create the perfect sleep environment for our children?

Forget about character-themed bedding

With all the heroes and villains sharing the bed with a child, it’s no surprise that some youngsters have trouble falling asleep. Having bright colours and lively motifs all around the room won’t contribute to a nice and relaxing atmosphere.


Instead, you might want to consider using solid, relaxing colours for sheets and extra bedding, like I did with Bubba Blue cotton sheets for my little girl. Experiment with different shades of blues, greens, purples, and neutrals to create a soothing atmosphere.

Wall colours

The same approach should be used when it comes to walls. Ditch very bright and “screaming” colours, such as hot pink, red or bright orange if you want your child’s brain to rest before the lights go out. Experiment with some shades of blue, purple or any neutral colour, because they’ll help the mind relax and wind down.


If you’re not sure about the choice of colours, do a bit of research on colour therapy and you’ll get an idea about what the right colours for the bedroom are. Believe it or not, colours affect our mood more than we’re aware.

Hide the toys

Most children have more toys than they need, which creates a horrible mess and clutter. This is also a problem if you have them on open shelves all around the room, since your child is likely to be overstimulated and have trouble falling asleep.


However, if you put the toys in soft-coloured bins or natural wicker baskets, they won’t be visible and will cause no distraction. Also, having toys neatly stored in such containers will help you keep the room neat and tidy, which is another necessary precondition for creating a great environment for sleeping.

Lighting

Another important aspect to consider is the type and amount of light in your child’s bedroom. Although there are many children who are afraid of dark, that doesn’t mean you should have bright lights during the night. As a substitute, you should use some soft light and you should definitely avoid having a globe that spins and creates shapes all over the walls.


Some people say that Himalayan rock salt lamps are excellent and that they put off negative ions and bring a touch of nature to the room. If you choose one with a dimmer, you’ll be able to regulate exactly how much light there is in the room.

Issue with technology

Just like you shouldn’t have a TV in your bedroom, you need to ditch it from your child’s room. The bedroom should be a safe haven, providing calmness and relaxation. The same applies to laptops, tablets and phones, which should all be kept outside the bedroom.


When your child wakes up during night, they shouldn’t have access to anything that will keep them awake for much longer. By removing all tempting gadgets, you’re actually minimising the chances of your child staying awake much longer than it’s necessary.

Conclusion

Naturally, all the tips provided here are of little value if you child is not used to going to bed early enough or having enough time to sleep. You need to set some rules about it and stick to them. After all, you don’t want your child to be cranky or moody in the morning because they didn’t get enough sleep last night.


On the other hand, if you manage to provide a safe environment, free of noise and overstimulation, your child will be more cheerful and positive, which is probably what every parent wants. Perhaps you can’t introduce all these changes at once, but even if you take one step at a time, you’re bound to notice the improvement in your child’s behaviour.