All Children Should Visit the Land of Nod

There are many euphemisms for sleeping. Snoozing, napping, catching some Z’s and visiting the Land of Nod are all popular phrases, especially with regard to children. Developing positive sleeping habits in children is critically important. Some may think that young children don't need to worry about sleep because they napped so much in infancy but this untrue. Small children need lots of sleep and should be put to bed early in the evening.

Children who have not gotten proper rest perform more poorly in school and receive lower grades than students who have had a good night’s sleep. Sleep-deprived children also tend to make worse dietary choices, feel sluggish and lazy and refrain from exercising. Each of these elements plays a critical role in a young person’s development. It is profoundly important that all children begin their life with an established bedtime, and the Land of Nod is the perfect place to get them started on that regimen.

Children in their infancy tend to have a very difficult time unless they head to the Land of Nod several times a day. Most infants need several hours of sleep. Although it can be difficult sometimes to put them down for their nap, it is very important that you do so. Lots of parents worry about their child crying. Their fear is that if the child cries he or she is unhappy. The reality is, however, that all children cry when it is time for them to go down for their naps during the day and their bedtimes at night.

As a parent, you must resist the temptation to take your baby out of his or her crib and let the baby play with you or engage in constant stimulation. Just because an infant can stay awake does not mean that he or she should be awake. If you are becoming distressed by your child’s cries at night, then you should remind yourself that your baby is in a safe and comfortable environment that you prepared. Feel free to leave the baby’s room and listen to some soothing music. You might also equip your baby’s room with soothing sounds as well. In a few minutes your child should be sound asleep.

One exciting aspect of having a new baby is preparing the baby’s room. Many parents want to spend lavishly on their baby because they are so excited for its arrival. Unfortunately, this is not always a wise idea. Children spit up, have accidents and sweat a lot when they sleep. Spending bundles of money on their bedding might mean wasting this money when it becomes clear that the sheets need to be replaced on a regular basis. Fortunately, there are a number of baby stores that sell sheets and linens that are relatively affordable while being soft and attractive.

Buying a crib, bed linens and other things to help your baby sleep will allow you to make sure that your child is resting comfortably and safely. As your baby grows and changes, you will want to ensure that they are protected by comfortable materials like soft linens and blankets that will help your baby drift off to the Land of Nod without fail.