Does your child get anxious about bedtime, have difficulty separating from you at the end of the day, or get out of bed multiple times a night? Your child may be experiencing sleep anxiety, an increasingly common issue among school-aged kids. 5 Little Monkeys has developed strategies to combat bedtime anxiety, to use alongside our award-winning sleep system for kids, a children’s mattress designed to support growing bodies and make bedtime a rewarding routine. Combat bedtime worries with these 5 strategies, and try our sleep system risk-free!

1) No Screens Before Bed

Screens before bed can disturb your child’s circadian rhythm, elevate adrenaline and anxiety levels, and even cause insomnia. It is very important to put away screens at least an hour before bedtime, and to wind down with story time, a book, or a quiet game instead.

2) Consistent Bedtime Routine

Bedtime is easier for your child to understand if the routine is consistent. Her energy levels will flag around the same time each night, simply out of habit, and that means you won’t have to work as hard to help your child wind down.

3) Downtime to Talk

If your child feels anxious about letting go of your company at night, and needs a little pillow talk or cuddle time, allow this but limit it to 5 or 10 minutes. This gives your child a sense that you understand her needs and value this time together, within healthy limits.

4) Can’t Fall Asleep? Read a Little More

If your child is still too wired to turn out the lights when it’s time for bed, allow him to read himself to sleep. Books are stimulating, but also quiet and soothing, the perfect combination for ushering an overactive imagination off to dreamland.

5) Limit Fluids at Night

Getting out of bed to pee at night is one of the many ways children with sleep anxiety will put off bedtime. That’s why it’s a good idea to start limiting fluids at dinner time, so that your child will be less restless when it’s time for sleep.

6) Invest in a Quality Sleep System

For bedtime to become a rewarding routine, your child needs to be getting a consistent good night’s sleep. Sleep is a crucial time for the body and mind to heal and grow, and 5 Little Monkeys has engineered a sleep system that provides the correct environment for little ones (and not so little ones) to rest. Our hypoallergenic, organic, temperature-regulating mattress is a game changer. Read our reviews, or try it and see for yourself! Contact 5 Little Monkeys for more information.