Parent's guide to getting more sleep 💤

5. Protect your little one's bed. Running out of sheets in the middle of the night, scrubbing the mattress, your little one in your bed wide awake at 2AM. Sounds familiar? Make sure it's quick and easy to change your little one's bed in the middle of the night in case they have an accident. Thanks to PeapodMats you can change their bed and be back to sleep within minutes! PeapodMats stay in place with no straps so you can just whisk them away and go back to sleep!

Let's talk about your bedtime!

Now that kids are in bed, it's time for you to wind down as well. How long does it take you to fall asleep? If you find that you don't need any wind down time, and you fall asleep as soon as your head reaches the pillow - that's actually a sign of sleep deprivation. You should catch up on your sleep before it leads to more serious health conditions, including obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. 

It's important to establish a night-time routine for yourself as well. One night of long sleep won't solve your sleep debt. It might take weeks before you start to notice a difference. On the other hand, if you find yourself laying in bed unable to fall asleep, here are some tips to help you relax: 

1. Have a relaxing bath with oils or candles of your choice

2. Listen to relaxing music

3. Relax with breathing techniques

4. Read a book or write a journal. This is very beneficial and gives you a satisfaction of doing something enjoyable for yourself. 

5. Listen to an audiobook or guided meditation.

6. Don't look at the time. Looking at the clock while struggling to fall asleep is a terrible idea. If you have an alarm clock in your room, keep it out of sight. 

7. Avoid caffeine late in the day. While it might keep you awake through the day, the last thing you want is it keeping you awake during the night. 

8. Keep phones out of the bedroom

9. Avoid any screen time in the hour before bed

10. Make sure your bed is comfortable too. If your mattress protector is noisy and you can hear it rustling with every move, it's time for a change. Try PeapodMats and sleep better: 

✔️ no rustling

✔️ stays in place all night without straps 

✔️ allergy-friendly

✔️ green alternative to old-school PVC protectors

If you're having troubles falling asleep, contact your GP who will advise and provide treatment if necessary. It's equally important to ask your family or friends for help. They can look after your little one if you need to nap or just need some time for yourself. Parents need a rest, too and there is no shame in asking for help. Remember: happy parent is a happy child! 

source: NHS

*** This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.