Safe sleeping
It is important that your baby has their own safe area to sleep in, such as a bassinet or cot. Always place your baby on their back when you put them to sleep and make sure there is nothing that can cover their head during the night (such as blankets or soft toys). While Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (sometimes called cot death) is rare, it is very important to follow the safe sleeping steps to make sure your baby has a healthy and safe sleep.
Bedwetting
Bedwetting happens when children who are toilet trained don’t wake up in time to go to the toilet and wet the bed while they are asleep. Children don’t wet the bed on purpose. It is common for children under 7 years of age to wet the bed from time to time.
Other night-time problems
It is common for children to have other night-time problems, such as nightmares, sleep terrors, or sleepwalking, from time to time. Nightmares are bad dreams that can wake your child up and make them feel worried or scared. Night terrors happen when your child is in a deep sleep and might make them cry or shout. Children usually don’t wake up from night terrors and don’t remember them when they wake up the next day. Sleepwalking is when your child gets out of bed and walks around the house while they are asleep.
GET STARTED
Starting a bedtime routine
Having a few activities that you and your child carry out before bedtime can help your child feel ready to go to sleep. It might take a little bit of time and practice to find a bedtime routine that works for your family. The Raising Children Network has some good information on the types of activities that you might like to include in your child’s bedtime routine, for newborns, or older babies and children.
Help with your baby’s settling and sleeping
It is common for babies and children to have trouble with their sleep from time to time, but if it is causing problems for you or your child, or if you are worried, there are lots of places you can ask for help:
– your doctor (or GP);
– visit a CHaPS Parenting Centre – ph: 1300 064 544 or visit Child Health and Parenting/Children and Youth Services;
– CHaPS also offers over-the-phone help if you are unable to make it to a Parenting Centre of if you have an urgent question: 1300 808 178. You can call at any time during the day or night.
Have a look safe sleeping steps on the Red Nose website.
If bed wetting is causing problems for your family or your child you can ask for help from:
– your doctor (or GP);
– the CHaPS Wetaway Program – visit this website or phone 1300 064 544 for more information go to their website.
For more information about these night-time problems, and how to comfort your child when they happen, see the Raising Children Network website on the topic of Preschoolers: nightmares, night terrors & sleepwalking.
Children usually grow out of these night-time problems, but if they are happening every night or if your child is worried about them during the day, you can talk to your doctor (GP) or child health nurse for support.
ACTION STEPS
Here you can find a simple list of the best actions to take if you are interested in this topic:
1 .
Make sure your child has a safe area to sleep in, and visit the Red Nose website or talk to a child health nurse to learn about safe sleeping for your child.
2 .
Make a bedtime routine for your child to help them get ready for sleep at bedtime.
3 .
Read about some of the common night-time problems that children can have, and how to support your child when they happen.
4 .
If you are worried about your child’s sleep or just need some extra support, talk to your doctor or child health nurse.