Sleep is critical for overall wellbeing and day-to-day functioning. It is very difficult for children (and their families!) to be their best selves if they are not sleeping well. The first step in helping your child have better sleep is for their bedroom to be quiet, dark and comfortable. These are my top 5 tips for setting up your child’s bedroom for a good night’s sleep:

• Maximise low-lighting

Reduced lighting before bed and a dark room supports healthy sleep. When setting up your child’s bedroom, avoid bright lights such as nightlights on their bedside table or light-up toys. Blackout curtains can help block sunlight in the early morning or light from the street outside.

• Cool, comfortable temperature

A cooler, comfortable temperature can support us to sleep better. It is generally recommended to aim for a bedroom temperature around 18 degrees Celsius. It is however important to be mindful that your child is comfortable overnight, and so choose pajamas and bedding that are suitable for your child in the cooler temperature.

• Calming toys and activities

Exciting toys and activities before bed can make it difficult for children to fall asleep. In the evening before bed, begin a ‘wind-down’ routine where your child plays with calming toys and activities, such as reading a book or drawing. Avoid screen time in the 1 hour before bed and avoid having electronics such as tablets and TVs in your child’s bedroom.

• Reduce outside noise

Changes in noise overnight can cause children to wake up. Aim to reduce household noise once your child has gone to bed. If the sound is beyond your control, try sound blocking strategies such as a white noise machine or draft stopper under the bedroom door.

• Keep it consistent

Lastly, it is important to keep the bedroom set-up the same from the start of the night through the night until wake time. If the bedroom set-up changes, such as sunlight entering the room, it may cause children to wake overnight and have difficulty falling back asleep. Keep the bedroom set-up consistent the whole night, every night.

If your child continues to have sleep difficulties, reach out to a trusted professional for further advice and support.