A consistent bedtime routine is more than just a series of steps before lights out—it’s a crucial part of a child’s sleep quality and overall development.
“Consistent quality sleep is vital to a child’s development as it is during this time that many critical neurological processes take place,” Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell, a sleep specialist, shares.
BlackDoctor.org spoke with Dr. Holliday-Bell to discuss how a nightly bedtime routine can help your child sleep better.
1. Helps Your Child Transition to Calm
Bedtime routines help children transition from the excitement of the day to a state of relaxation, making it easier for them to fall asleep.
“A bedtime routine is very important for children’s sleep quality. The bedtime routine acts as a transition point to help them wind down from the play and excitement of the day to the calm and relaxation of the night. This often leads to an easier time falling asleep and to them getting overall better quality sleep,” Dr. Holliday-Bell says.
2. Promotes Better Sleep Quality
A consistent bedtime routine leads to better overall sleep quality, as children are more likely to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep throughout the night.
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3. Promotes Neurological Development
Quality sleep is crucial for children’s neurological development, including memory consolidation, emotional processing, and forming new neural connections.
“Sleep also helps with development of problem solving skills and emotional regulation and it is during sleep that memories formed during the day are consolidated or stored while also priming the brain to absorb new information the next day. Growth hormone is released in it’s highest quantities during sleep as well, contributing to the child’s overall growth and development,” Dr. Holliday-Bell notes.
4. Allows Bonding Time Between the Child and Parent
A study conducted in the Journal of Pediatrics shows that listening to a caregiver’s voice, even in recorded form, can improve children’s sleep quality by reducing stress and promoting feelings of security. Although the study did not delineate the exact reason, Dr. Holliday-Bell notes that other research suggests that a mother’s voice can increase oxytocin (or the feel-good hormone) levels and decrease cortisol (or the stress hormone) levels when a child hears it.
“I think features like the Tuck Ins by You will be a big game changer for parents and children alike. The ability to customize the bedtime routine and implement something so specific and special to a child like hearing a caregiver’s voice without them even having to be present, will open up a world of opportunities for children to feel connected to their caregivers and other family members no matter what the situation,” Dr. Holliday-Bell adds. “The benefits transcend just a good bedtime routine as hearing that familiar voice can calm stress and anxiety and lead to not only better sleep but better and more secure functioning during the day.”
Family creator, Shaunda, has benefited from features like these firsthand. “The new Tuck-Ins feature has brought an extra layer of joy to our evenings that our kids look forward word to, ensuring that even when one mom is absent, her presence is felt in our nighttime rituals,” she shares.
5. Supports Cultural Connection
Bedtime stories and cultural practices can stimulate a child’s imagination and create a sense of
