What are some parenting tricks by an expert that will help get children to sleep at night? Getting Children to Sleep at Night: Expert Shares Minimal Parenting Tricks

What are some parenting tricks by an expert that will help get children to sleep at night?

As a parent, it can be incredibly frustrating to be constantly awoken by your child's cries in the middle of the night. The natural instinct is to quickly run into their room and do whatever it takes to get them back to sleep. However, this speedy approach may not be as helpful as you think.

Jennifer Robinson, a sleep consultant and the founder of Happy Sleep Coach, has shared her top tips for gentle sleep training to help parents struggling with their child waking up in the middle of the night. With two children of her own and having received help from a sleep consultant when her son wouldn't sleep, Jennifer has dedicated her life to helping parents get their children to sleep through the night.

Jennifer encourages parents to start by taking a more minimal approach when their child wakes up in the middle of the night. "Many of us have gotten into the habit of immediately rushing into our child's room and trying to get them back to sleep as quickly as possible by shushing them, rocking them, or feeding them. However, this can sometimes be more stimulating than helpful," says Jennifer. "Going in calmly and quietly, and starting with the minimum, before you build up your responses, can be really helpful."

To achieve this, Jennifer suggests making an 'in-the-night plan' and writing down the actions you may need to take when your child wakes up. Your initial action should be to go into the room, assess the situation, check if they need a diaper change, or anything else, and then start with the absolute minimum. For example, try to comfort your child and then leave the room, or start by patting and shushing them instead of picking them up and rocking them.

Consistency is key, according to Jennifer. It's important to work out what you want to do initially and what you would do after half an hour, and to do the same thing every single night. If you're taking turns with your partner, it's important to have the same routine every time. The bedtime routine is also crucial, and it's important to have the same steps in place every night. "Baths aren't always necessary before bedtime, it's more important to get them to bed at the right time. If you're running late, it's better to skip the bath and get them into the bedroom environment and feeling nice and calm," says Jennifer.

In conclusion, a minimal approach, consistency, and having the same routine every night can be incredibly helpful in getting children to sleep through the night. Jennifer's tips can help parents create a peaceful and relaxing environment for their children, leading to a better night's sleep for everyone.

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