Article Review Day 5: Inadequate Sleep Hygiene

Sleep hygiene? Yes, we try to work on our kids dental hygiene as much as they will cooperate, but sleep hygiene? Really?

We all want to create good dental habits in our children to maintain the integrity of their teeth, in the same way to want to create "habits and activities that promote the initiation and maintenance of effective sleep." Poor dental hygiene creates cavities that need fillings. Poor sleep hygiene creates habits that "enhance wakefulness and interrupt the sleep period, which can lead to a decrease in the quality and quantity of sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness."

Examples of Poor Sleep Hygiene:

• "engaging in stimulating activities near bedtime"- you should probably skip the before bedtime basketball game
  
• "using the bed for non-sleep-related-activities" (e.g. playing, watching tv, time out)
• "routine consumption of caffeine near bedtime" (Note: chocolate has caffeine. I recently read that it takes a child up to 6 hours for caffeine to completely leave their body)
• "allowing the bedroom to be uncomfortable to the sleeper (too cold, too hot, too noisy, too bright, etc.)"
• "inconsistent bedtimes and wake times with or without inappropriate napping"

Ways to Change Sleep Hygiene and Create Good Habits:

• "develop a consistent, calming bedtime routine" (bath and storytime are good items to have in your routine)
• "activities such as reading and singing lullabies also can foster sleep onset"
• be educated on poor sleep hygiene and avoid
• work with a sleep specialist/doctor or sleep consultant to create a plan that works with the family's schedule and lifestyle and gets the child the sleep they need.