SLEEP STRUGGLES: WHAT TO TRY

Sleep is vital for children's development and emotional wellness - but for many families, a good night's rest can sometimes feel like a distant dream.

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Whether it's a newborn waking every couple of hours, a toddler resisting bedtime or an older child struggling to settle, sleep challenges are incredibly common and can leave parents feeling exhausted and unsure of what to try next.

BABIES

During the first year of life, sleep may be highly unpredictable as babies' circadian rhythms are still developing. Establishing gentle habits early on helps set the foundation for better sleep as they grow.

Consistent steps

Sleep steps could involve a warm bath, a gentle baby massage and quiet cuddle time - all of which will help signal to your baby that it's time to wind down. Keep the room dark, cool and quiet and consider a white noise machine, as they can mimic the sounds of the womb and provide some extra comfort.

Sleep cues

Rubbing eyes, yawning or becoming fussy are all signs your baby is ready for sleep. Responding quickly to these signs will help avoid an overtired and harder-to-settle baby. This is where good day-night differentiation comes in too! To achieve this, make your daytime feeds bright and lively, and your night-time feeds calm, low lit and low-key, teaching your baby the difference between night and day.

TODDLERS