Tips + Must-Haves From Babies”R”Us To Get Your Child’s Sleep Schedule On Track (Win!)

After a few months of late bedtimes, unenforced rules, inconsistent schedules or any of the many “in-advisables” that may have taken place over the summer vacation, it’s time to get your child(ren) back on track for BTS season. Below are tips from sleep expert Amanda Jewson, along with products and must-haves from Babies”R”Us that will help get your child back on track and sleeping like a baby! —Vita Daily

tip #1: set a bedtime and stick to it. Amanda recommends having kids go to bed at 7 or 8 p.m. at night. Kids need at least 10 hours of sleep at night, and parents should factor in the time it takes them to get to sleep after they get into bed. As a parent, Amanda also recommends using an earlier bedtime to get some child-free time for a few hours per day to recharge those parenting batteries.

tip #2: don’t leave it to the last minute. If your kids have been going to bed at around 9 p.m. for the better part of their summer vacation, try moving bedtime up by about 15 minutes every four days until you’re back to their normal bedtime.

tip #3: establish a bedtime routine. If you had an effective bedtime routine before your summer vacation threw everything into upheaval, then try to re-implement it as much as possible. Familiarity will definitely help your child settle back into the schedule quicker and with less resistance than trying out something new.

tip #4: use a timer. Of course, things like baths and stories are super fun, so there is a tendency for your toddler to try and negotiate for more time in the tub, or one more story. If you find yourself constantly having to play sheriff, a timer can be your best friend for keeping things on schedule, and as silly as it may sound, takes the blame off of you and puts it on the timer.

tip #5: turn off screens. The thing about screens, whether they’re phones, TVs, computers or tablets, is that they put out a massive amount of blue light. Our brains associate blue light with sunshine, and therefore daytime, so screens before bed can actually have the unwanted effect of firing your kid’s system back up when it should be powering down. Try to avoid any screen time for at least two hours before bed.

tip #6: turn to the darkside. If your child’s bedroom is still lit up when you’re putting them to bed, Amanda suggests investing in a set of blackout blinds to get your child to wind down.

Top Picks for Sweet Dreams

baby dream. Exclusively available at Babies”R”Us, this is a product for moms who are tired of being tired. Created by sleep experts, scientists and industry leaders, Baby Dream is a 5-in-1 children’s sleep device proven to help children sleep better and longer. Uses night light + red light therapy, cool mist humidifier, pink noise and aromatherapy.

rise little earthling sleepwear. Dream big in Rise Little Earthling kids sleepwear. Comfort is key when it comes to pajamas but the sweetest sleepwear also has style. Cosy long-sleeve PJ sets come in a variety of prints and patterns while details at the neckline and sleeve add something special. Made from eco-friendly materials, Rise Little Earthling kids pajamas come in 100 per cent cotton to ensure your little stays at just the right temperature while they sleep—meaning you’ll have a good night’s sleep, too.

fisher-price lumalou better bedtime routine system. The Fisher-Price Lumalou Better Bedtime Routine System helps make getting your child to bed easier. This wall-mounted, interactive helper guides kids through the nighttime routine, rewarding them as they complete each task. The Lumalou system also serves as an infant to toddler sleep-training tool and sound machine with lights and a sleep expert-approved music playlist to help your child settle down for sleep. Easily customize and control your child’s daily tasks, sleep timers, as well as the music, sounds and lights with the convenient Smart Connect app.

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Win! A Kiddie Sleep Prize Pack From Babies”R”Us!

Congrats Kylee D. of Burnaby, B.C., who will receive a Kiddie Sleep Prize Pack from Babies”R”Us, including Rise Little Earthling sleepers, a Baby Dream Machine and a Lumalou! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadaily.ca. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.