What To Do If Your Kid’s Sleeping Habits Are Keeping You Up At Night

Ah, sleep. It’s peaceful, necessary, and restorative. But getting (and keeping) your little ones down for the night is universally recognized as one of the biggest parenting struggles out there. As parents, we know all about the patience and practice it takes to nail down a sleep schedule that works for your squad.

We also know that life is full of curveballs and change is the only constant when it comes to raising tiny humans. And if your family is anything like mine, even the smallest disruption can mean starting from scratch.

This past year has presented nothing but change, with sleep suffering in households across the U.S. as a result; 49 percent of parents of school-aged children surveyed nationwide said bedtime has turned into more of a struggle since the start of COVID-19, according to data provided to Romper from a recent survey commissioned by Zarbee’s Naturals® and conducted by OnePoll.

Since sacrificing sleep isn’t a healthy option for anyone (been there, no thanks!), Romper teamed up with the folks at Zarbee’s Naturals® to help make your family’s sleep routine as seamless as it can be, no matter what else is going on in the world. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Remember That Bedtime Disruptions Are Inevitable

I remember having to re-sleep train my oldest son after one night in a hotel when he was 4 years old. Literally overnight, he realized he preferred sleeping in the same room as his mama (and chatting to her, and climbing out of his bed to cuddle up against her). When we returned home, it took him a solid two weeks to make peace with the routine of bath, books, and bed in his own room. Then just one week after that came daylight savings, and I felt like I’d drawn the “Go back to start” card in a board game I was clearly losing.

After that, I knew it was time to figure out how to cope with a steady stream of bedtime interruptions. For us, successful additions to the routine included lying in bed with him until he drifted off and leaving a white noise machine on before and during sleep. Other techniques — like leaving a nightlight on, ensuring their favorite blanket or stuffed animal is beside them, and limiting screen time before bed — are also key.

Use Pediatrician-Approved Melatonin To Help Establish A Sleep Routine

A lot of us already know of the benefits of using melatonin in our bedtime routines, but did you realize it’s also a safe, drug-free remedy for kids, too? Melatonin is a wonderful way to help bridge the gap as your child adjusts to new sleep patterns, shares Dr. Kelly Fradin, pediatrician and author of “Parenting in a Pandemic: How to Help your Family through COVID-19.”

“With all the adjustment to our routines over the past year, supporting sleep is one of the most important things you can do to help your child be well, mentally and physically,” the mother of two tells Romper. “Zarbee’s Naturals® sleep products with melatonin are my first choice as both a pediatrician and a parent, as they safely and effectively help occasional sleeplessness in children without forming a habit.”

And non-experts agree, too: Of parents surveyed who have given their children melatonin, 68 percent said it helped their kid fall asleep more quickly and 55 percent said it improved overall quality of sleep, according to the aforementioned survey commissioned by Zarbee’s Naturals® and conducted by OnePoll.

Zarbee’s Naturals® Children’s Sleep with Melatonin products are available in gummy, liquid, or chewable tablet form, so you can choose the one that works best for your child. No matter which form your little one prefers, you’ll rest easier knowing the supplements are high quality, gluten- and gelatin-free, and allergen friendly.

Identify Sleep Disruptors Ahead Of Time & Plan Accordingly

I don’t know what your littles are like after a rough night of sleep, but mine aren’t too much fun to be around. Sleep is the foundation for a good day, and it’s helpful to plan ahead for things that may get in the way of it if possible.

In addition to things like vacations and daylight savings, other sleep disruptors can include time changes either from travel or even from switching up their bedtime between summer and the school year. These are sudden adjustments, but they can be planned for.

Activity level is another factor that impacts sleep, and since many extracurricular and in-person activities were cancelled in the face of the pandemic, children are more energetic and have a harder time winding down at bedtime.

No matter what brings them on, sleep disruptions are a part of life. Help bridge the gap in a safe and natural way with Zarbee’s Naturals® Children’s Sleep with Melatonin products.