Five sleep tips from sleep expect Gemma Coe

Sleep is essential for every organ in our body, yet so many of us struggle with it. For children, those struggles can feel even bigger at a point in their life when their imaginations are running at full speed.

Even if a child has always slept well, it does not take much to break the cycle. A new classroom, a wobble with friendships, a run of bad dreams, feeling unwell, or simply going through a developmental leap can all disrupt sleep. Children might appear absolutely fine during the day, but at bedtime and nighttime their imagination can catch up with them and everything can start to feel bigger and so much harder to manage.

Think about it… at night, shadows look bigger, worries feel louder, and the quiet of the night can put us on edge. Night-time fears and anxieties can affect up to 75 percent of children and, for some, these feelings can also continue into adulthood.

The good news is that with a little understanding and the right strategies, we can help children feel safe and confident as they fall asleep.

Here are five easy but practical tips from Child Sleep Specialist Gemma Coe that can help make a difference.

The Dreamies is a new picture book written and illustrated by Iona Campbell. 

Gemma Coe is a Child Sleep Specialist based in Sevenoaks, supporting families whose children struggle with falling asleep and staying asleep. www.childsleepspecialist.co.uk