Don’t Screw Up Sleep This Summer With These 5 Tips

Sing with me… school’s out for summer!  school’s out forever…. (nope, not forever… just for a teeny, tiny, break.)

Like many of you, we’re officially into our summer ritual since camp has already started and I already know this is going to be a great summer.

Regardless if your kids will be out at activities or they might be doing a whole bunch of nothing..it’s always a great idea to think about how you can enjoy summer without screwing up sleep.

Summer Tip #1:  Close the shades

It’s bright…. so make sure that you keep your child’s room dark.  It’s now staying darker later and getting lighter so much earlier…. (hello 5:30am)  which my guess is seriously messing in the sleep department.  If you haven’t already, go ahead and invest in blackout shades (this liner will block the light).  They are worth it…. to get every minute into your morning or night that you can.

Summer Tip #2:  It’s hot, hot, hot

More activity = more need for sleep.  I don’t know about you but this past weekend, it was 95 degrees and we were were at the beach all day and then my kids woke up at 7:55am the next day.  #neverhappenedbefore.  I don’t think the heat was a coincidence.  It was soo hot and they were run ragged.  Thank god that they were able to make up on that sleep.  So don’t be alarmed if in summer, you get a surge of sleep, and enjoy every second since you never know when it will happen again. (oh, and it has never happened since).

Summer Tip:  #3: Let’s go (not so or a little) crazy

Have fun in the summer…but…. don’t go too crazy.  If you’ve followed my blog, you know that I will always talk about your child’s sleep sensitivity and once you know what type of a baby/toddler or preschooler you have, you can push it a little.  If your child is OK with going with the flow, go ahead and be one with the flow (assuming that sleep is overall in a good place).  I’ll even say it – keep your kid awake if you want to go see July 4th Fireworks (I know – I can’t believe that just came out of my mouth either).  But, don’t go so crazy that you’ll have to fix a hot mess kid down the road.

Toddlers and preschoolers still need 11-13 hours of total sleep, so don’t get too far off course, since getting back on is never easy.

Have fun, go crazy, but don’t go too crazy that you need to fix a hot mess kid.

Summer Tip #4:  Don’t let your room get too hot

Your child’s room’s optimal sleeping temperature should still be around 68-72 degrees.  A baby doesn’t have as many sweat glands as adults so it becomes dangerous if they get too hot.  According to the CDC, air conditioning is the best way to keep a baby safe in the heat.    If your baby’s room doesn’t have air conditioning, make sure to monitor the temperature to make sure that the room doesn’t get too dangerously hot.  The easiest way to monitor temperature is through a video monitor so if you don’t have one, see if you can borrow one from a friend, to be safe.

For children with A/C in their room, my 3.5 year old still rocks out in her footed fleece PJs.  Pretty sure she will wear them in college.  #cribandpjstocollege

Summer Tip #5:  Don’t forget about the basics

Don’t forget that even children that don’t nap need some downtime.  And if you child is still napping – make sure you continue to offer it daily.  Always end the day with your solid bedtime routine since that is the structure that your child is craving.  End your night with a consistent and loving phrase so your child can blissfully go to sleep…

How are you going to make sure that you focus on sleep this summer?  Do you have any big plans?