Sleep for Success

Sleep for Success!

Help Your Child Rest and Recharge for Back-to-School

As summer closes and school is back in session, it's so important to ensure your child gets enough high-quality sleep. By getting a full night’s rest, you allow your body to restore energy, reduce stress, and remain healthy. The sleep your child needs depends on how old they are. Sleep Foundation says infants need 12-16 hours of sleep, toddlers need 11-14, preschoolers need 10-13, and school-age children need 9-12. Read on for tips to ensure your kiddo is getting the sleep they need to succeed:

Getting the Right Mattress

Having a good mattress, no matter how little your child is, is a key factor in achieving sleep goals. Getting a high-quality mattress improves both the quality and the quantity of your child’s sleep. When buying a mattress for your little one, look for options that are firm, supportive, breathable, and waterproof. While there are thousands of crib mattresses on the market, we recommend the Dream Catcher Infant Foam Mattress. This mattress has the features above, is hypoallergenic and tear-resistant, and fits in standard size cribs and toddler beds. (To learn more about crib mattresses, visit the Child Craft Crib Mattress Buying Guide.)

Getting the Right Bed

For babies: Once you’ve picked out the proper mattress, the next step is to decide on a bed. Many different cribs with many different features exist, and we can help streamline the crib-buying process for you. Overall, the main features of any great crib are a smooth finish, adjustable mattress height, and convertibility. With these standards in mind, we recommend the Atwood 4-in-1 Convertible Crib. This is a great crib; stylish and constructed from pine wood. It's the perfect place for your little one to catch some Z’s!

For toddlers: When making the transition from crib to toddler bed, there are several factors to keep in mind. Parents often want high-quality materials, child-safe finishes, and accessibility for toddlers to get in and out on their own. Our top choice in toddler beds is the Woodland Toddler Bed. This bed is available in three finishes (Brushed Truffle, Brushed Cotton, and Brushed Pebble), so you can mix-and-match with other furnishings and decorations to create a custom look. Apart from being stylish, it's low enough to the ground for your child to easily climb in and out of. Plus, safety rails are included for extra help!

For children: Once your child is old enough for their first “big kid” bed, a twin size is the most common. Common doesn’t have to be boring though! A fun choice your child will love for sleep and play is the Modern Farmhouse Bunk Bed. The top and bottom bunk provide a child-safe design. The top includes a guard rail, and the bottom is easy for your child to climb in and out of. A bunk bed is also great when your little one has friends or family over for a slumber party! Including this bed in your child’s bedroom is sure to get them excited for bedtime.

Atwood 4-in-1 Convertible Crib

Woodland Toddler Bed

Modern Farmhouse Bunk Bed

Making Sure the Bed is Safe

Having a good mattress, no matter how little your child is, is a key factor in achieving sleep goals. Getting a high-quality mattress improves both the quality and the quantity of your child’s sleep. When buying a mattress for your little one, look for options that are firm, supportive, breathable, and waterproof. While there are thousands of crib mattresses on the market, we recommend the Dream Catcher Infant Foam Mattress. This mattress has the features above, is hypoallergenic and tear-resistant, and fits in standard size cribs and toddler beds. (To learn more about crib mattresses, visit the Child Craft Crib Mattress Buying Guide.)

Create a Calm Sleep-Environment

Every child is different - designing a room they feel comfortable sleeping in may be a challenge. What works for one child may not work for another, and that’s okay! A good way to create a calming room is to add textiles like blackout curtains and soft blankets. Blackout curtains ensure your child’s room is as dark as possible, supporting their biological clock and keeping healthy levels of melatonin in their body. Supplying your child with soft blankets is another simple way to help them be as comfortable as possible for bedtime. Consider additions like a fan, humidifier, air purifier, or sound machine to give them soothing sounds to fall asleep to. By incorporating these into their bedroom, they will have a tranquil, distraction-free space to fall asleep in.

Limit Screen Time Before Bed

Exposure to light from televisions, phones, computers, and tablet screens before bed negatively influences sleep patterns, no matter your age. A 2014 study from Science Direct found that screen time before bed results in lower quality and quantity of sleep. Light and content from a screen engages the brain, making it difficult to fall asleep from the adrenaline it causes. Allow sleep to be a higher priority than screen time by limiting device usage leading up to your child’s bedtime. Another option you can try is to remove all electronic devices from the bedroom at night.

We hope you enjoyed learning more about the importance of sleep for children! Sleep quality improvement is a process that won’t happen overnight. Ensuring your little one always has proper arrangements and a set sleep-schedule will help your child sleep smarter. The more high-quality sleep children get, the more energy they will have to be amazing at school or daycare!

Wishing you and your little one sweet dreams, The Child Craft Team

Want to learn more about the best sleep strategies for children? Visit Sleep Foundation, Verywell Family, and Happiest Baby.