Healthwatch: Get your child to sleep, and help them stay asleep

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - Every week we talk to a health expert about a variety of topics to bring you tips to stay healthy. This week we are joined by Dr. Cara Hamilton with Black Hills Pediatrics to talk about sleep training your child

“As a parent, you understand how important sleep is, and sometimes for children, you have to help them figure out how to get and stay asleep. That can vary throughout the age range of your child,” said Dr. Hamilton.

She then discussed how to sleep train your child at all ages, starting as an infant.

“For the infant who’s 6 months old and not quite making it through the night yet, you might have to do a little more training. What that can look like is gently pulling back on the support that you’re providing for your infant in the middle of the night. A smaller bottle, or just a rub of the belly instead of picking him or her up in the middle of the night, and slowly expecting them to make up the difference of the support that you’re pulling back on. It is important for them to get good sleep. Just like you, their brains are growing and forming solid memories, and do so much better if they are sleeping well. ,” Dr. Hamilton continued.

Dr. Hamilton then transitioned to how you can help your child who is a little bit older and might be sleeping in bed with the parent.

“For the older infant or child, keep in mind that routine is very important. A good 20 to 30-minute bedtime routine can help them feel tired at bedtime and can help them fall and stay asleep. For the child who’s often joining you in bed at night, you can slowly pull back on that support by having them sleep on top of the covers one night, and the following night they don’t get to be in between you and dad but at the foot of your bed. Then maybe next to your bed on the ground in a sleeping bag, and slowly moving that sleeping bag closer and closer to their room in an effort to help them realize that ‘hey, sleep is better in my own bed by myself,’” said Dr. Hamilton.

Lastly, Dr. Hamilton touched on how to help get and keep your teenager asleep.

“For that teen, again routine is important. They obviously don’t need as much involvement from you, but having less screen time at bedtime. Half an hour before bed, and having their brushing teeth, face washing, shower routine that can help them start to feel tired at bedtime, and go to sleep and stay asleep all night,” stated Dr. Hamilton.

As always, if you have questions about sleep or sleep disorders, make sure you talk to your child’s healthcare provider.

This has been your Healthwatch, be sure to check in next week for more health tips.

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