Thursday 25 February 2016

Bedtime Sleep Tips with the #Bedtimeguru

One of the biggest changes you face as a parent is the loss of sleep, and as a parent of children aged from 5 to 22 I've had a lot of broken nights, and I still can't claim to have ever found the secret of a great night's sleep.

Bed Guru are trying to find the best sleep tips for parents in their #Bedtimeguru campaign and have asked me to share my best tips. These are what worked for me...

I'm not a person who can leave a baby to cry, I'd rather cart them around with me and plot them on the floor or wherever nearby to whatever I'm attempting to do, with the end result that my children would sleep anywhere. This is a really handy thing.



I breastfed all of my babies, and definitely by the time I got to number five I had realised you can easily nudge them into a routine that works for you both, but it won't be the same for every child. Plot feeds and spot a routine, and then you can work out how you can slide it around to make it work best for you both/all. Starting a feed thirty minutes before every school run, and the last feed in bed an hour before you want to sleep were both two ways I made my life so much calmer.

Toddlers really do become awful when they're tired, which is no fun all round. The amount of sleep they need varies a bit, but the way they get it varies massively. Two of my children had dropped a daytime sleep by 18 months, one would still regularly sleep every afternoon aged 3 1/2. Life is definitely easier if you can compromise on this. If they're sleeping 3 hours every afternoon and don't want to go to bed at 7.30pm, is it really a surprise? Either cut back the daytime sleeping or have a later bedtime. If they get up at 5am every day and early mornings are not your thing, shift the routine by moving bedtime later,

Early risers can be because your child is simply ready for breakfast. If you've limited daytime sleeping and it isn't helping, a sensible carbohydrate-based snack (toast, crackers, low sugar cereal etc) half an hour before bed will not only keep them going until daybreak, but will also help soothe them to sleep as part of a bedtime routine and it'll give them a nice full tummy.


Bedtime routine is a great thing. Keeping to a set routine not only settles your child ready for sleep and keeps them aware of how long before they'll be in bed, it's precious time together, where you learn about each other and have your most important conversations about worries and expectations and plans. As a bonus it can bring a love of books and reading that'll see your child through their exams in years to come.

The nice people at Bed Guru know parents need a treat every now and again, and have sent me a luxurious hamper to help me unwind after the kids are finally tucked up in bed. The hamper includes Bettys Tea Room tea and biscuits, a Yorkshire Soap co. candle, a Coconut and Shea Butter face mask and a Sally Hanson French Manicure Kit. 

Bed Guru also had a hamper to send to one of my readers as a giveaway prize. THat giveaway has now ended. 

For all of my live giveaways, or help with Gleam, please see my giveaways page....


218 comments:

  1. The scent of lavender on your pillow.

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  2. Switch off all technology at least 30 mins before bedtime - that rule applies to all family members!

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  3. I always have a set of earplugs beside the bed, for when the hubby starts his thunderous snoring.

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  4. have a routine And dont watch tv (both kids and adults)!

    Ashleigh

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  5. i though having my two boys in the same room would be a nightmare but they actually sleep better and are happier

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  6. Turn off electrics hour before you go to bed

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  7. Amazing Give away!! Bedtime is always a task!! xx

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    1. a good routine and a bedtime story maybe

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    2. We do have a bedtime story but its still a struggle, a lot of people have said 2 year sleep regression? I think hats how its spelt! x

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  8. tried to keep calm so the children remain calm

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  9. During the school week we have a set bedtime routine, they watch the simpsons before cleaning their teeth and up to bed! I think it helps that they know what to expect, weekends are more relaxed and we go with the flow!

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  10. Blackout blinds all year round!

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  11. When my grandson stays over he gets a little excited so I always keep it calmed down an hour before his bedtime and have an hours cuddle time

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  12. A nice warm bath then no TV or computers before going to bed and a few drops of Lavender essential oil on my pillow seems to help me go to sleep x

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  13. My little one always sleeps better at night when he's had a couple of good sleeps in the daytime - when he gets overtired we have a horrible night!

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  14. Best tip is leave ipad, phone, etc out of bedroom and apply lavender oil

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  15. Get up the same time every day!

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  16. We usually get boys to turn of tablets ect for a certain time before they go to bed, i call it wind down time x

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  17. I absolutely love your little ones' hair! They are so beautiful :)

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  18. (Sorry that's not a bedtime tip, but just had to say it!!)

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  19. A warm non caffeine drink sometimes helps and no technology for an hour before bed :)

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  20. I don't drink tea or coffee after 7.30pm I always switch the tv off before I fall asleep! and I never ever have my phone or tablet when I am in my bed, I would never sleep if I took them with me

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  21. A warm glass of Milk before bed

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  22. A bottle of wine sends me off to sleep

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  23. I spray lavender on my pillow,have a warm drink of hot chocolate and read until i drop off x

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  24. Some lavender oil on their cushions will help bring sleep

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  25. listening to soft classical music

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  26. Wind down from tea time onwards, dim the lighting and spray lavender on the pillow.

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  27. Eucalyptus oil on the pillow and a book.

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  28. Don't worry about making a rod for your own back, just do whatever it takes. I rocked my oldest to sleep for months, she is 6 now and guess what? I don't rock my 6yo to sleep!

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  29. I find lavender spray amazing for sleep and having fibromyalgia, sleep regularly evades me ... but the best method so far, safe for adults and children is reflexology.. My husband has learnt it in order to get me to sleep at night !!

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  30. Don't go to bed unless your tired you will worry about not dropping off and then struggle to sleep

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  31. No tv ,computers or phones an hour before bed

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  32. no screen time at least an hour before bed

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  33. 45 minutes reading before i go to bed helps me sleep a lot better

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  34. lavender on pillow, blackout curtains and warm bath before bed always works x

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  35. A nice warm bath before bed and some lavender pillow spray

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  36. I've never had trouble getting to sleep, but my daughter has never needed as much and she's 25 now. So I'm not one for handy tips I'm afraid.

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  37. Have a routine to wind down before bed.

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  38. dont take anything electrical to bed, like phones or tablets, it keeps your brain stimulated.

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  39. Have a good routine for young children. Bath, pj's and a bedtime story works well for me.

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  40. Make sure you have a supportive mattress & pillows. Comfort is important for a great night sleep

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  41. Don't force yourself to sleep. Read a book or listen to music to unwind. the more you try to fight it the more it will elude you (or at least me!)

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  42. Stick to routine for young children. They feel more secure and sleep better if know what to expect.

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  43. A good bedtime story works for both kids and adults!

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  44. Bathtime, milk and biscuit, story, bed

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  45. What fab ideas

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  46. Warm bath, glass of wine (me not the children!) and good book

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  47. A quiet room where I only sleep and therefore do not associate with business.

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  48. An hour of quite time before bedtime for the children.

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  49. I find that my daily 10 minutes of meditation work wonders! Since doing this, sleeping is not a problem anymore

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  50. A couple of glasses of red wine - works wonders for me! ;-) x

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  51. Some lavender scent on your pillow helps me to sleep

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  52. Same routine each evening & a bedtime story.

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  53. Warm shower and climb into a freshly made bed. Bliss

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  54. No technology in the bedrooms. and a good night story helps

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  55. Making sure that the room is not too hot and stuffy

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  56. set a routine and a bedtime!! stick to it

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  57. warm bubble bath and book before slep x

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  58. If you get circular thoughts that won't leave you in peace, no matter what the time is, write them down. When they're on paper, they leave your head :)

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  59. Stop using screen/computer an hour before bed

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  60. A nice warm bath and dimmed lights

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  61. It's been said a hundred times but you can't go wrong with a regular routine for children, whatever that routine is, stick to it and do the same thing every night :)

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  62. Drop a little bit of lavender oil on to your pillow, helps me sleep :)

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  63. Routine and a good hour without any computer, tv etc

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  64. White noise works really well for me and for my little ones when they were babies.

    @rachiegr

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  65. Margaret Clarkson
    Read in bed until you are tired.

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  66. for me I have to have speech radio on all night, i have Radio 5Live on 24/7, I don't like it quiet

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  67. Make sure you go to bed around the same time everyday, adults need bedtimes too! Very important if you suffer from occasional insomnia. Even if it seems like it takes a few hours to get to sleep it relaxes your body and you're more likely to get to sleep next time.

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  68. Isabell Whitenstall28 February 2016 at 21:52

    No exciting game after bathtime, just read them a story and sing a little song until they settle

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  69. My sleep tip is to have a bedtime routine and stick to it.

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  70. A warm drink before bed and a set routine!

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  71. Have a routine and have the room as dark and peaceful as you can, also not to hot so you snuggle up under the duvet.

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  72. Avoid looking at screens a few hours before bedtime, and make sure your room isn't cluttered - tidiness can aid sleep!

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  73. Chamomile tea and a hot water bottle x

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  74. A routine is a must both for adults and children and no technology too late keeps the brain too active to sleep

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  75. For me, no caffeine after 6pm x

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  76. No food or drink after 7pm for me. Keep the bedroom well ventilated and spray some lavender pillow mist

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  77. Turn off all your electrical items in the bedroom and a nice bit of lavender pillow spray! - Lucia

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  78. I used to drink energy drinks in the morning, to give me a boost, but even the no sugar ones really mess up my sleeping, so I knocked them on the head, and it really helped ;)

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  79. i always put a few drops of lavender oil on my pillow

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  80. a routine is the most important thing x

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  81. Turn over your pillows at bedtime as pollen will settle on them during the day

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  82. My best sleep tip I learnt from my mum that if you have small children try to squeeze in forty winks yourself when they are taking their afternoon nap. You'll appreciate it at 3am!

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  83. Fresh air, my 3 year old can be a nightmare at bedtime and has all the excuses ready. We take a walk round the village and along the river for some fresh air and it seems to tire him out nicely. Also a clear routine works wonders, my son knows it's nursery, walk, home to play, dinner, quiet time and bed.

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  84. For the kids, a small glass of warm milk and a nice bedtime story x

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  85. No phone or TV in the bedroom.

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  86. I read for an hour before bed to wind down after too much screen time :o)

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  87. I find with both of my sons a fluffy blanket to cuddle helps them settle

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  88. I always spray my pillow with lavender to help aid sleep it definitely works xx

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  89. Don't have kids and go to the pub every night - that used to work for me in the 'olden' days :D

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  90. I had a set routine from day 1 and it seemed to work when my son was little.

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  91. Bath and a little massage for my 2 yr old before bed makes her settle alot more

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  92. For myeself I love listening to ASMR videos on youtube

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  93. No phones & tv in the bedroom, do adult coloring books

    x

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  94. Try to blank out your mind and just listen to your own breathing!

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  95. Lynsey Buchanan4 March 2016 at 05:55

    If i read before bed I nod of to sleep easily

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  96. I sleep with earplugs

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  97. I have lavender and eucalypus oil on a hanki under the bed - it seems to calm xxx thanks for the competition :))) xx

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  98. To have structure an routine at bedtime so your body knows it's time to sleep.

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  99. I have to leave my tele on to fall asleep x

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  100. Have a routine with children

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  101. I like a hot drink before bed, but not coffee.

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  102. I read a book or listen to music to fall off to sleep

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  103. A little lavender oil on a hankie near your pillow.

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  104. a nice bath for the kids a story the bed with lights off

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  105. Routine is essential for both children and adults as it helps the body and mind prepare for sleep
    We both have a bath read books and chat about our day so we can put them to sleep too and enjoy a fabulous nights sleep

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  106. for kids: set a routine such as bath, hot drink, bedtime story, so that they wind down. for adults: switch off phones / computers at least 1/2 hour before bed

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  107. After my little girl has had her bath all toys are put away, we have quiet snuggle time with milk and biscuits

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  108. keep away from blues screens

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  109. Getting my now grown up bullies to sleep was all based around consistent timing and routine

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  110. Getting my now grown up bullies to sleep was all based around consistent timing and routine

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  111. A nice hot relaxing bath then read a book

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  112. A cool, dark room with some lavender essential oil on cotton pads slipped into your pillow case x

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  113. My 14 month old falls asleep every night to the sound of white noise

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  114. Don't stay up till late :)

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  115. recently purchased an imusic pillow - can now listen to calming music that puts me straight to sleep :)

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  116. No gadgets or TV for at least 45 minutes before bed (works great for adults too) and lavender on the pillow (not sure the other used to appreciate that though lol). :)

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  117. Routine is key. Stick to it as best you an even in holiday time.

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  118. A book does it for me as a bedtime story used to work with my children

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  119. a nice warm bath then storytime

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  120. Turn off gadgets an hour beforehand

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  121. I love my lavender spray mist and after reading about 2 pages of my book I am gone!

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  122. A lovely relaxing bath and a good book

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  123. Sadiyya maryam9 March 2016 at 19:49

    A good routine really does help both myself and my daughter.

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  124. Routines and regular bedtimes are important for both children and adults :)

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  125. I spray my pillows with a sleep mist then have a warm bath to relax.

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  126. winding down time before and a regular routine

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  127. Read a story to your little on in bed nice way to spend time together and relax

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  128. I always insist on a routine - bath, supper, bed, 1 book read, night night - at least then after they get into it, they know what's going to happen

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  129. A storytime with Mum or Dad and some quality time together always makes bedtime special

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  130. For the children, I agree with the earlier comments, a regular routine and a bedtime story. Which is probably why for myself as a shift worker reading a chapter or two will send me off whatever the time :0)

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  131. Mug of Horlicks always worked wonders for me!

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  132. My youngest always settles to classical music

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  133. I like to curl up with a good book and read till my eyes feel heavy.

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  134. relaxation music in the background a few hours before bed

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  135. A warm milky drink before bed

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  136. I was sent to sleep by my father stroking my head and ready a book to me, so i have kept the tradition up and it works a treat..

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  137. Have a routine , hot bath , hot drink no TV or Computers and a nice story and cuddle :)

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  138. Have a nice relaxing bedtime routine for children, warm bath, cup of warm milk, story and snuggle together before tucking them in

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  139. A good bed time story and a big cuddle

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  140. Read before you go to sleep, no electronics

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  141. no phone before bedtime and read instead

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  142. For me it's reading a book before I go to sleep. It helps relax me.

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  143. For my toddler a routine works well, healthy but not too interesting snack with milk, bath, brush teeth, PJs and then choice of massage or extra story. Lights out, say goodnight to the sun, make sure there's plenty of connecting at bedtime so he feels safe to be alone.
    For my baby...we try to fit him into a matching routine where possible but he's still feeding a lot through the night just now.

    Every child is different though so what works for one won't necessarily work for another. It's trial and error.

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  144. With my daughter I've found that it is usually having to go to the loo that wakes her up at night or makes her sleep restlessly so I always make her have a wee before going to bed.

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  145. Routine and as others have said no screen time at all for at lest 1 hour before bed

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  146. get them to do some activity in the afternoon so they naturally feel tired, and then have a routine for bath time and story before bed.

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  147. I don't know how I'd live without ear plugs to sleep with!

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  148. Warm bath, chamomile tea and stay away from my mobile!

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  149. A nice warm bath, with a few drops of lavender oil in it. A room that is not too hot or too cold, comfy pj's & a bedtime story x

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  150. Definitely no phones nearby, quick lavender massage helps too

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  151. With small children I'd have to say a good routine including a bath, for myself a hot bath, glass of wine and a good book :)

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  152. Set regular go-to-bed and wake-up times for the entire family and be sure to follow them even on weekends

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  153. A routine always helps. No computers in the bedroom is my No 1 rule and always a read to settle.

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  154. Defo bath with lots of bubbles befor bed a nice routeen not just for children but for adults as well i have to go to bed and get up almost same time ever day and feel refreshed no tv phones

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  155. I think the biggest tip is sticking to a routine, esp with young children

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  156. For children it's get into a routine and stick to it as much as you can.For younger children,no TV after six,have wind down time,quiet play,bath and then bed and bedtime story and hopefully sleep by seven.It all sounds so easy but you have to be realistic,it won't always go smoothly x

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  157. Bath, cuddles and a lovely story

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  158. Judy Beba-Brown11 March 2016 at 10:11

    Softer and softer lighting as the evening progresses, a warm bath and a lovely story. Sweet dreams!

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  159. Black out curtains all year :)

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  160. No technology for at least an hour before going to bed.

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  161. Routine and sticking to your guns

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  162. Blackout curtains / blind .

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  163. Michelle Buckle11 March 2016 at 11:19

    Quiet and calm time before bed :-)

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  164. I have a lavender body oil spray and it's brilliant. Helps me feel cosy and relaxed

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  165. My electric blanket on with one of my cats nestled beside me while I read my current book for about an hour, soon has me drifting off x

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  166. Lavender oil on my pillows always helps

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  167. Relaxing bath then wind down time with a story and I use the Lavender room spray which works great with the children.

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  168. Reading to kids make them & you sleepy.

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  169. Story time, then we talk about anything that happened during the day that was good/bad/indifferent & then it's lights out & bed time
    gemmab79@hotmail.com

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  170. Ear plug so my partner don't wake me with his snoring

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  171. ROUTINE ROUTINE ROUTINE

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  172. stick to a routine and relax with a bedtime story but nothing too exciting that gets them buzzing again

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  173. Try to go to bed around the same time and get up the same time so some sort of routine established for your body clock

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  174. I try not to use my laptop or phone in bed. To stop myself from looking at my phone I put it at the other side of the room!

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  175. A nice bath and always a story

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  176. Have a routine so the little ones know what to expect

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  177. My daughter woke hourly (literally) until she was 10 months old. Try not to stress, enjoy the cuddles whilst you can. One day they won't need them. After losing my son shortly after birth, I try to cherish every moment with my daughter, however exhausting and draining it is x

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