What do sleepy babies, tired toddlers, yawning preschoolers, and cranky kindergartners have in common? They might not want to go to sleep at bedtime!
Each child is different, but according to HealthyChildren.org, babies up to two years old may need nearly 12-16 hours of sleep a night, while preschoolers and kindergarteners may need 10-13 hours each night!
Having a bedtime routine, or activities you do every night, can make a difference between a child can go to sleep with little fuss, and one who fights it every night.
Depending on the age of your child, activities at bedtime can include a warm bath, a snuggle with a book, or a small snack.
Get these resources from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Safe Sleep and Your Baby- How Parents Can Reduce the Risk of SIDS and Suffocation. This brochure not only shows parents the importance of putting baby to sleep on his or her back, but how to create a safe sleep environment to help reduce the risk of SIDS, entrapment, strangulation, and suffocation.
Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play. Although babies should be placed on their backs to sleep, supervised tummy time is an important part of healthy development. Read all about tummy time and how to make it fun for your baby in this brochure.