Six tips to help your Infant’s sleep this summer
Fresh air is fabulous for kids’ sleep
Get outside - ideally, first thing in the morning if you can! It can be harder to get out when it’s super hot but fresh air, natural light and exercise are all great things to help your Small’s sleep. It’s also likely to be a bit cooler in the morning for both of you.
Keep the bedroom curtains closed
Bedrooms can really heat up during the day but closing the curtains to keep the sun out can really help keep it cooler for bedtime
Push bedtime a bit later in the summer
Lighter and noisier nights may mean your Small finds it trickier to fall asleep at bedtime. If they’re taking a long time to fall asleep or finding it frustrating try pushing bedtime a bit later. They’ll likely have a bit more sleep pressure behind them to help them fall asleep a bit easier
Reassess what they’re wearing for sleep
Their sleepwear will likely need a shake-up as it gets warmer. My tips would be:
check the tog of your sleeping bag is suitable for summer
only use natural fibres next to their skin and think light layers.
If you’re not sure check their chest or back with your hand and if it feels clammy/sweaty/too hot it’s likely time to lose a layer.
Slow your bedtime routine right down
It’s normal for your Small to resist their bedtime routine after a hot summer’s day. And it’s normal for you to hurry through it when you want to escape the heat. (I absolutely do this myself!) but the more we rush them the more they can resist us. So slow everything down, enjoy some time together and focus on your calm because it can make a big difference
Try to keep your cool during summer bedtimes
It’s normal for their sleep patterns to shift during the summer. And it’s understandable that this might stress you out a bit! But the calmer you are at sleep time the calmer your Small can be AND the easier they can find it to fall asleep. This is way easier said than done but having a cold drink, changing into cool and comfortable clothes or having a quick shower (if that’s possible for you!) before settling them to sleep can be a game changer and help you keep your cool.
Need more infant summer sleep support?
If your sleep situation is unsustainable and you want to support your Small to more settled night sleep this summer without sleep training check out my best value bundle here:
