I’m talking bedtime routines as part of a sponsored post for SocialStars and JOHNSON’S®. All opinions are my own. #JohnsonsPartners #SoMuchMore
Kids are funny about schedules. Mine take more than a little bit of effort on my part to settle in and go to sleep at bedtime, but now that Daylight Savings Time is about to end I am preparing for the nightly struggle to get even more crazy. My kids are notoriously stubborn when it comes to most things, and bedtime is no exception, so in preparation for the coming weeks I decided to come up with a “game plan” to help minimize stress over the time change and (hopefully) help everyone have a more peaceful transition. Check it out below!
1. Talk about it.
First and foremost, I like to get them prepared ahead of time for big changes if I can. They might not completely understand at the time, but by sitting down a few nights leading up to the “big switch” and letting them know that bedtime is about to change helps them become more aware that something is going to happen. They usually turn in at 8pm, so that will end up being 7pm after November 1st. I’m not sure how exactly they will react to getting another hour at night yet, but for my kids it seems the later the get to stay up, the harder it is to get them in bed. Crazy, right? But by talking about it, at least they aren’t blindsided by the change.
2. Let them get tired.
This is a big one for us because if my kids don’t get their energy out before “quiet time”, they will be fidgety and unable to really calm down for bedtime. I usually let them have an hour outside after dinner to run around and get good and tired, but since it will be getting dark earlier that hour is about to be taken away. Instead, I need to think of some physical activity that they can do indoors. whether it’s having a “dance party” or even following along with their Wii or LeapTV games, there needs to be something that helps them really let it all out so they aren’t still wide awake at bedtime.
3. Soothe them with Touch and Smell.
Touch and smell are two powerful things, and thanks to JOHNSON’S® I can use their 3-Step Bedtime Routine to help sooth Kaia and get her ready for sleep. This clinically proven routine for helps children ages 7-36 months sleep better and longer, which really helps me out when it comes to bed time! It is also clinically proven to help your baby fall asleep up to 30% faster and be 58% less likely to wake up during the night, which means more sleep for mama too!
Here is how to do the 3-step routine: First, do a warm bath with JOHNSON’S® baby BEDTIME® bath or JOHNSON’S® baby BEDTIME® bubble bath and wash. We always do bath time before bed because the warm water is totally relaxing for Kaia! Second, a massage with JOHNSON’S® baby BEDTIME® lotion. I’ve written before on the benefits of baby massage, and when used at bedtime it is perfect for helping ease baby into sleepy time. The JOHNSON’S bedtime products release NATURALCALM® essences–a special blend of gentle and calming aromas to help soothe your baby which helps bring on the relaxation!
4. Wind Down
The last step in JOHNSON’S® bedtime routine is to have some quiet time. This can be quietly reading a book, cuddling with your child’s favorite stuffed animal, or evening having quiet play time. Whatever it is, it should encourage a general winding down and letting the excitement of the day melt away.
5. Don’t expect perfection!
This might seem obvious, but seriously, they are children. They won’t get it right all the time, or in some cases even most of the time. Just stay positive, keep encouraging, and eventually the bed time struggles will fade. Until then, follow the routine and don’t stress over it. Want to go the extra mile? Track your child’s sleep, tailor your own routine, get answers from experts, and even create your own mix of ambient sounds with the free JOHNSON’S® BEDTIME® baby sleep app: http://www.johnsonsbaby.com/baby-sleep-app.
