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Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008

Sleep tips for children

When helping your child get to sleep, these guidelines may help:

• Set a regular time for bed each night and stick to it.

• Establish a relaxing bedtime routine, such as giving your child a warm bath or reading him or her a story.

• Make after-dinner playtime a relaxing time. Too much activity close to bedtime can keep children awake.

• Avoid feeding children big meals close to bedtime.

• Avoid giving children anything with caffeine less than six hours before bedtime.

• Set the bedroom temperature so that it’s comfortable — not too warm and not too cold.

• Make sure the bedroom is dark. If necessary, use a small night light.

• Keep the noise level low.

Source: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute