Tips for little one easily take a nap

Nap time for little one is important for their growth and development. But little one is difficult to put to sleep. When it’s time for little one to take a nap, they just want to keep playing and ignoring Mom. In fact, children need longer sleeping hours than adults.

The average age of children under five years needs 10-13 hours sleep time a day and have so many benefits to their growth. Like Jodi Mindell, Ph.D., a psychology professor in  St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia said  that toddlers are experienced development marathons, so much improvement in intellectual and physical. Sleep is the only way for them to recover. Besides, Marc Weissbluth, M.D., a writer of a book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Children, said that napping makes little one cognitive development easier. During nap time, cortisol hormone, which is stress cause hormone will dramatically decrease. The effects are little one will wake up happier, alerted, and ready to explore their world.

After knowing the benefits, it reminds us about how hard it is to put little one to take a nap. Don’t worry, Mom. Here are Morinaga Platinum already summarized some tips of parenting that Mom can use to make little one wants to take a nap.

1. Routines arrangement before nap time

   If it’s hard to put little one to sleep, Mom can do activities or routines that they like before nap time. For example, a bedtime story. Unconsciously, little one’s body will get used to the habit and finally they can take a nap regularly.

2. Keep up with sleep time and wake up time

   It’s enough for little one to take a nap for 1-2 hours a day. Keep up the time and don’t change it. The routine that is done frequently will make little one sleep regularly. This regularity will form a good habit when little one starts to go to school.

3. Gibe the right amount of nutrition at the right time

   Nutrition intake and meal time also determine the time of little one’s nap time. If a little one feels hungry or full during nap time, it will make them feel uncomfortable. The result is that little one finds it difficult to take a nap. So, make sure Mom gives them a balanced breakfast, a complete nutrients lunch, and a satisfying dinner for little one.

4. Let little one get enough sunlight

   Mom, in the sunlight there is a substance named melatonin. That is good for little one growth and balance their hormones. In a research Journal of Pediatric Health Care said that the hormone balance that little one’s have will bring a message to the brain about needs of sleep. So, more exposed to sunlight, it’s better for little one’s body development.

In order to get a quality nap time for little one, make sure to create a comfortable condition in their room, cool, clean, and quiet. And, avoid putting the little one to sleep in the afternoon close to night bed time. Because if they sleep in those hours, it will make little one hard to sleep at night. Putting little one to sleep surely needs effort and patience. But, Mom can do it if it’s done constantly to their nap time routine. Hope this parenting information is useful for Mom. Keep up the spirit!