5 sleep tips for baby’s and young kidsTips by Daisy, child sleep coach

The right bedtime is between 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM. I often see that children go to bed too late. Parents often keep them awake for too long in the hope that they will be tired and sleep better. But the opposite is actually true: when you put your child to bed on time, you will prevent overtiredness. This will lead to better nights and later mornings. Seriously, give it a try!

Up to 4 to 5 months, we look at wake time for babies. After that, we establish a more fixed routine. The right wake time for your baby's age is crucial. Being awake for too short a time can result in short naps because your baby isn't tired enough. Being awake for too long can also lead to short naps because your baby becomes overtired. So, find out what the right wake time is! You can find everything about wake times in my Sleep Guide for 0-18 months.

Several factors are essential: the right number of naps for the age, the duration of a nap, and the timing of a nap. You want your child to get enough daytime sleep (again, to prevent overtiredness), but at the right time. For example, you don't want the longest nap to be at the end of the day, as it will affect the night.

Many children have trouble falling asleep independently. However, this is a skill essential for good nights. If they receive help falling asleep, such as rocking to sleep, a bottle, breastfeeding, or sharing your bed, they won't know how to fall back asleep on their own when they wake up at night. You want to gradually reduce this assistance after 4 to 5 months of age. You can do this through a sleep training method. The Sleep Guide for 0-18 months offers various sleep training methods and practical tips for independent sleep and peaceful nights.

A tip for slightly older children. I often see families in my practice with toddlers (or even older kids) who keep getting out of bed. Sometimes, they visit their parents' bed 20 times or more during the night. Often, parents transitioned to a toddler bed too early. The crib provides literal boundaries with its bars. Children under 2.5 years of age generally can't handle the freedom of a bed without bars (with some exceptions). My advice: stay in a crib for as long as possible! My daughter didn't switch to a regular bed until she was 3.5 years old. That way, you can establish clear agreements.