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Neurodiversity Team Parents Leaflet  - December 2025 v.3

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IOW Neurodiversity Team Workshop schedule - Supporting Restful Sleep in Neurodivergent Children:

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IOW Neurodiversity Team Workshop schedule - Supporting Restful Sleep in Neurodivergent Children:

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Welcome to the Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership

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Including babies to adulthood

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How Much Sleep Does My Child Need? - The Sleep Charity

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As the new school term started at the beginning of September, and children’s sleep starts to settle into a more regular pattern again, we thought it might helpful to make parents aware of how much sleep their child needs and what time they potentially should go to bed. It’s important to note that the hours […]

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Night terrors and nightmares are often confused as the same thing but the two are completely different.

Nightmares are unpleasant dreams, occurring in dream sleep (REM), that are remembered upon waking. A night terror takes place during non-REM sleep and involves feelings of fear, screaming, thrashing around and sweating while still asleep, and won't be remembered the next day. More information on night terrors can be found here.

Nightmares are more common than terrors but neither cause any psychological harm to your child.

Here are our tips on telling them apart and how to handle them:

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Night Terrors and Nightmares - The Sleep Charity

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Night terrors and nightmares are often confused as the same thing but the two are completely different. Nightmares are more common than terrors.

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Hi I'm Charlie, your virtual assistant. I will explain how to use this online noticeboard (Padlet). 

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Hi I'm Charlie, your virtual assistant. I will explain how to use this online noticeboard (Padlet). 

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Please use the column headings to find the information you need

Then scroll down the column to see the information

Click on the links to view the information

To find other headings please scroll right

If you are using a mobile you can click on the 3 dots on this post and choose start slide show. This makes it easier to look through the information on a smaller screen.

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Baby and toddler sleep advice - BBC Tiny Happy People

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A collection of films and articles all about baby and toddler sleep. Whether your little one struggles to get into a bedtime routine, wets the bed or has a hard time sleeping through the night, we're here to help!

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NHS advice and guidance on sleep and young children

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Lots of young children find it difficult to settle down to sleep and will wake up during the night.
For some people, this might not be a problem. But if you or your child are suffering from a lack of sleep, there are some simple things you can try.

Every child is different, so only do what you feel comfortable with and what you think will suit your child.

If your child will not go to bed

Decide what time you want your child to go to bed.

Start a "winding down" bedtime routine around 30 minutes before the time that your child usually falls asleep. Bring this forward by 5 to 10 minutes each week - or 15 minutes if your child is in the habit of going to bed very late - until you get to the bedtime you want. Read more about helping babies to sleep.

Set a limit on how much time you spend with your child when you put them to bed. For example, read only 1 story, then tuck your child in and say goodnight.

Give your child their favourite toy, dummy (if they use one) or comforter before settling into bed.

Leave a dim light on if necessary.

If your child gets up, keep taking them back to bed again with as little fuss as possible.

Try to be consistent.

You may have to repeat this routine for several nights.

Sleep tips for under-5s

Make sure you have a calming, predictable bedtime routine that happens at the same time and includes the same things every night.

If your child complains that they're hungry at night, try giving them a bowl of cereal and milk before bed (make sure you brush their teeth afterwards).

If your child is afraid of the dark, consider using a nightlight or leaving a landing light on.

Do not let your child look at laptops, tablets or phones in the 30 to 60 minutes before bed - the light from screens can interfere with sleep.

If your child wakes up during the night, be as boring as possible to avoid exciting them and leave lights off.

Avoid long naps in the afternoon.

Help your disabled child to sleep

Sometimes children with long-term illnesses or disabilities find it more difficult to sleep through the night. This can be challenging both for them and for you.

The charity Contact has more information about helping you and your child sleep.

Scope also has sleep advice for parents of disabled children.

Further support and advice

Talk to your health visitor if you need further advice. They may have other ideas or suggest you make an appointment at a children's sleep clinic, if there's one in your area.

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Ideas to cope with and manage sleep in young children, including if your child refuses to go to bed.

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Exploring all things dad, the highs and the lows, Dadzclub is building a supportive community of like minded fathers both online and through our weekly in person social meet ups.
Find out where and when it is held on the IOW

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Exploring all things dad, the highs and the lows, Dadzclub is building a supportive network of like minded fathers.

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What is the DadPad?
It’s the essential guide for new dads, developed with the NHS.

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Do contact us with any further questions or support needs.

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Welcome To Isle Of Wight Family Centres : Isle Of Wight Family Centres

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Lots of children find it difficult to settle down to sleep and will wake up during the night. For some people, this might not be a problem. But if you or your child are suffering from a lack of sleep, there are some simple techniques you can try with your child.

The amount of sleep your child needs changes as they get older and can vary from child to child. Every child is different, so only do what you feel comfortable with and what you think will suit your child.

Below you will find the approximate hours of sleep needed by children of different ages.

Babies 4 to 12 months old

12 to 16 hours including naps.

Toddlers 1 to 2 years old

11 to 14 hours including naps.

Children 3 to 5 years old

10 to 13 hours including naps.

Children 6 to 12 years old

9 to 12 hours.

Teenagers 13 to 18 years old

8 to 10 hours.

Sleep Hygiene

The lead-up and routine around your child's bedtime is referred to as 'sleep hygiene'. Having good sleep hygiene can help your child both to settle to sleep and to stay asleep.

Strong sleep hygiene means having both a bedroom environment and daily routines that promote consistent, uninterrupted sleep. Keeping a stable sleep schedule, making your bedroom comfortable and free of disruptions, following a relaxing pre-bed routine, and building healthy habits during the day can all contribute to ideal sleep hygiene.

Bedtime Routine (click to expand)

Try to establish a calm bedtime routine, which follows a similar pattern each night, for example have a bath and read a book before settling. Having a bedtime routine and a set bedtime is a good idea and it can help your child to understand what to expect and how they should behave.

Please see below tips to help your child sleep through the night:

A routine can start 30 minutes to 2 hours before bedtime. It can include activities to help wind down, like a warm bath or shower or reading a story.

Sticking to a set pattern each night will help your child to settle before bed. This will give them the time to calm down before sleeping.

Going to the toilet just before getting into bed can also help prevent your child from needing to get up in the night-time.

Ideally, electronic devices should not be used an hour before bed. Your child will learn this means it is time to get ready for bed and sleep.

Routines through the day are also important. If your child still naps, it would be beneficial to consider encouraging these earlier in the afternoon, therefore ensuring your child is tired again for bedtime.

Melatonin is naturally produced and helps us fall asleep. Melatonin production is stimulated during the day by having time outside in the day light, perhaps take a walk, spend time in the garden or the park.

The Book Trust have some great tips on settling children up to the age of two; for more information visit their web page, ' How to get your little one to sleep'.

Bedtime Environment (click to expand)

There are several ways in to improve the sleeping environment. Choose changes that will work for your child and any other children in the room.

Your child's sleeping environment should be a place where they feel safe and secure. It should be a place to sleep and not play. Your child's bedroom should be cool, dark, quiet, tidy, and comfortable.

Consider the following tips:

Some children may find the use of a dim nightlight can make them feel safe. Other children may sleep better in total darkness.

Room temperature and noise level should be adjusted if possible so your child is comfortable and can fall asleep.

Your child's bedroom should be calm with no distractions. If your child is being stimulated by toys, you can remove these from the room before bedtime, or keep the toys in a different area of the house.

Avoiding screen time an hour before bed and keep your child's room a screen free zone.

Ensure the room is well ventilated, it should not be too hot or too cold.

Further advice on sleep environments and healthy sleep tips for children can be found on the Sleep Charity website.

Food and Drink (click to expand)

Some food and drinks can impact your child's sleep, such as snacks and drinks high in sugar, for more information visit the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children website.

Good sleep hygiene starts in the day with food and drink. Caffeine is a stimulant that can stop sleep, it can stay in the body for up to eight hours. It is important to limit caffeine drinks like tea, coffee, cola and fizzy pop and avoid them completely after lunchtime.

Eating a large meal just before bedtime can affect and prevent sleep. Try to plan meals so they are not eaten just before bedtime.

There are some food and drinks that can help your child sleep, for example eating a banana, whole wheat bread or drinking warm milk.

Exercise (click to expand)

Exercise is very important for physical and emotional wellbeing. Children might find falling asleep difficult if they have not had much exercise during the day.

It is important to encourage your child to do sports, to play outside or go for a walk in the fresh air. This will help to burn off energy and help your child to feel tired at the end of the day.

Exercise approximately four hours before bedtime if possible. This gives the muscles a chance to cool down before bedtime. If you child is too hot, they might struggle to fall asleep.

Technology (click to expand)

Don't let your child use electronic devices like televisions, mobile phones, and tablet computers close to bedtime. Electronic devices can make it difficult for your child to get to sleep.

Electronic devices produce light that stops the natural hormones in the brain which cause sleepiness.

Ideally, electronic devices should not be used an hour before bed. Take them out of your child's bedroom. Your child will learn this means it is time to get ready for bed and sleep.

Does your child use electronic devices to help them fall asleep? Think about swapping the device with a bedtime story, playing soothing music or a children's audio relaxation track.

Although this video was developed primarily for parents of children with special educational needs or disabilities, the principles and techniques are the same for all children.

More Information and Resources

Try completing a sleep diary as this can help show you what your child sleeping pattern is like. A sleep diary will give you information about the changes you might need to make to improve their sleep. You can download and print this sleep diary used by our Health Visiting Teams; you can use it as a template to make your own. Please note, if you wish to print these resources, you must download a copy first before this function will become available. If you do not have the ability to print yourself, please use the Ask a Question facility to request paper copies to be sent to you.

You can find information and advice about sleep help for babies on the Family Assist web page Safer Sleep for Babies: Every Sleep Matters.

For more information and sleep advice for School Aged Children, please look at the Family Assist website.

There is advice and information for helping teenagers sleep on the Sleep Help for Teenagers page on Family Assist.

For information and advice about Night Terrors, Sleepwalking and Sleep Nightmares please have a look at our Sleep Problems and Disorders in Children page.

The NHS website has guidance and information about sleep routines and sleep positions for twins.

There is also information and tips in the NHS website to support parents with their sleep and tiredness after having a baby.

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Helping Your Child to Sleep Through the Night

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Lots of children find it difficult to settle down to sleep and will wake up during the night. For some people, this might not be a problem. But if you or your child are suffering from a lack of sleep, there are some simple techniques you can try with your child.

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Sleep Help for Teenagers (custhelp.com)

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Top tips for sensory needs, activities and routines to help you sleep.Useful apps and products recommended by young people.

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28 Best Baby Apps For New Parents - Netmums

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The safest cot is a clear cot

The safest cot for a baby is a clear cot. That means removing anything that isn't essential. Babies need just two items in their cot:

It's important to remove anything that isn't essential because items such as toys, blankets and bumpers could cover their face and obstruct their breathing.

When preparing your baby's sleep space, remember:

No pillows or duvets

No cot bumpers

No soft toys or comforters

No weighted or bulky bedding

No products designed to keep your baby in one sleeping position, such as wedges or straps

No pods or nests, rolled up towels or anything soft placed on top of the mattress.

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Safer sleep overview - The Lullaby Trust

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An easy guide to practicing safer sleep for your baby and reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS, or cot death).

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This document contains advice on:
-Food to help with sleep
-Sleep training clocks
-Helping your child sleep for under 5's
-Nightmares, night terrors and sleep walking advice
-Information on sleep training techniques
-Sleep diary

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We know that the colder months can be difficult for families. You may be worried about the costs of living and have to make difficult choices for you and your family. Or you may be worried about paying your heating bills. You may be concerned about trying to keep your home warm, keeping draughts out and keeping your baby warm.

The recommended room temperature is 16-20 degrees, this may be difficult to maintain in the colder months. It can be tempting to wrap your baby up to keep them warm, however we know that overheating a baby increases the chances of SIDS (also known as cot death). Research shows babies are better to be cooler than too hot.
We recommend using a room thermometer for accuracy. You can buy a Lullaby Trust thermometer in the shop.
Things to consider for your baby and their sleep space during the colder months

Bedding for cots and Moses baskets

Sleep your baby in the feet-to-foot position with their feet at the bottom of the cot. Firmly tuck in sheets and blankets (no higher than the shoulders) to avoid the risk of your baby's head becoming covered by loose bedding.

If you use sheets and/or blankets we recommend using lightweight and not thick, fleecy or padded blankets or duvets. If you think your baby is cold, add an extra lightweight blanket or layer of clothing

If you are using a baby sleeping bag, don't add extra blankets on top, add an extra layer of clothing or choose a higher tog sleeping bag if you feel the sleeping bag is not enough. You can choose different togs for different seasons to help keep your baby at the right temperature. Baby sleeping bags should be well fitted, so the baby can't wriggle down inside. Most sleeping bags are fitted according to a baby's weight, rather than age. Always check the manufacturer's guidelines for the baby sleeping bag that you choose.

Babies' heads are an important way for them to lose heat if they need to so remove hats when inside.

Bedding and bedsharing

The safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own clear, flat, separate sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket. However, we know that many parents find themselves bedsharing, whether they mean to or not, therefore it's important to follow this advice.

When bedsharing, keep all adult bedding or any other items that could obstruct your baby's breathing or cause them to overheat away from the baby. Don't be tempted to put your baby under adult bedding to keep them warm. A high proportion of infants who die as a result of SIDS are found with their head covered by loose bedding. A baby sleeping bag is advisable when bedsharing.

Remember that the warmth generated by an adult in the same bed as a baby may create a warmer environment, so adjust bedding and/or clothing for your baby accordingly.
Follow all our other safer sleep advice to reduce the risk of SIDS. Put babies on their BACK for every sleep. In a CLEAR FLAT SLEEP SPACE. Keep them SMOKE FREE day and night.
Babies should never be left alone in an adult bed. If there is not an adult in bed with them then put your baby in their own separate sleep space. To reduce the risk of accidents, do not bring other children into bed with you if you choose to bedshare with your baby.

Make sure your baby won't fall out of bed or get trapped between the mattress and the wall. Adult bedding should be kept well away from your baby along with any belts or cords from clothing, so keep adult bedding at your waist height and add an extra layer of clothing if you are cold.
It is important for you to know that there are some circumstances in which bedsharing with your baby can be very dangerous. You should never bedshare with your baby if any of the following apply:

Either you or your partner smokes (even if you do not smoke in the bedroom)

Either you or your partner has drunk alcohol or taken drugs (including medications that may make you drowsy)

Your baby was born premature (before 37 weeks)

Your baby was born at a low weight (2.5kg or 5½ lbs or less)

It's best to have another adult on hand to help with baby if you are not well, have drunk alcohol or taken drugs that make you less aware than normal.

Things to avoid:

Never sleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby. This can increase the risk of SIDS by 50 times

Don't use hot water bottles in any baby sleep space (cot, crib, Moses basket or adult bed) as they can make your baby too hot

We would not advise using products like swings and baby bouncers as sleep spaces as they are not firm and flat

Babies shouldn't lie on or have anything soft around them, particularly their heads, as this can cause them to overheat and
increases the risk of SIDS. Soft, squishy materials can get pressed against a baby's mouth and nose and interfere with breathing

We do not recommend:

Cot Bumpers
They can pose the risk of an accident to babies and toddlers. There have been a number of cases in the UK and abroad where infants have become entangled in the ties and material, or fallen from pulling themselves up on the bumpers. Don't be tempted to use them to make your baby's sleeping environment cosier.

Weighted Blankets
Weighted swaddles, weighted blankets and weighted sleeping bags are not recommended for babies under 1 year due to risk of overheating and head covering.

Babies sleeping in hats, hoods or outdoor clothing
Babies lose heat though their heads so remove hats or hoods when indoors or in a car so they don't get too hot. Babies shouldn't sleep indoors in any outdoors clothing.

Placing your baby's cot next to a radiator or having a heat source, like a portable heater, directly aimed at your baby
Babies are unable to regulate their temperature so could potentially end up getting too hot and are unable to move out of the way of a heat source.
Wherever your baby's sleep space is, keep it clear, keep it simple, keep it safe.
How can I check if my baby is too hot?

All babies are different so we recommend checking your baby's chest and/or back of their neck to make sure that their skin doesn't feel clammy or sweaty to the touch (their hands and feet will always feel cold to touch.) Warm is fine, but if it feels sweaty or clammy it means they are too hot so remove a layer of bedding or clothing.
Babies who are unwell need fewer, not more layers.
If your baby is unwell

Always seek medical advice if you are worried about your baby. We have a baby check app which feature 19 simple checks that you can do if your baby is showing signs of illness. Each check tests for a different symptom and when completed, a score is calculated that tells you how ill their baby is. The app then lets you know whether your baby needs to see a doctor or other health professional. Find out more about our Baby Check app.

Finding support

If you are worried about or struggling to pay your bills do seek help, the
following may be able to help:
* National debt helpline
* Stepchange

If you are worried about feeding your family contact the Trussell Trust to find out more about how they can support you. There may also be local initiatives or community groups who can help with clothing and equipment for babies or help with school uniform for older children so do check this out too.
Download our 'Safer Sleep In Winter' guide.

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Safer sleep in winter - The Lullaby Trust

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We know that the colder months can be difficult for families. You may be worried about the costs of living and have to make difficult choices for you and your family. Or you may be worried about paying your heating bills. You may be concerned about trying to keep your home warm, keeping draughts out [...]

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What to look for when buying second-hand

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What to look for when buying second-hand

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There are a few things to be aware of before you use something pre-owned. Here are our top tips for buying or using second-hand baby products

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Dads play a key role in the care of their baby. A survey of over 500 dads by The Lullaby Trust revealed that only 32% of new and expectant dads have been given safer sleep information by a health professional so we have created this dedicated page filled with everything you need to know.

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Baby product information - The Lullaby Trust

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It can be hard to know which products are safest for your baby to sleep in. We’re here to help you find the safest baby products…

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Diet & Sleep - The Sleep Charity

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Below is a list of foods that may aid sleep, there still needs to be much more research in this area but many families share that they find this list helpful:

Almonds contain magnesium promotes both sleep and muscle relaxation. They also help to keep blood sugar levels stable overnight.

Bananas are an excellent source of magnesium and potassium. They also contain tryptophan an amino acid that helps us to sleep but don't forget fruit contains sugar too. Blend one banana with one cup of milk or soya milk to make an ideal bedtime drink.

Dairy, yogurt, milk and cheese contain tryptophan helping us to nod off more easily. Calcium is effective in stress reduction and it's not true . . cheese doesn't give you nightmares!

Cherries particularly tart cherries have been found in one small study to naturally boost melatonin production. You could try drinking a glass of cherry juice (available at most natural foods stores) or a serving of fresh, frozen or dried cherries before bedtime.

Cereal not only is it a healthy snack, but it may also help you snooze. Complex carbohydrate-rich foods increase the availability of tryptophan in the bloodstream. Avoid sugar-coated cereals though, these will give your child a sugar rush and wake them up.

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Almonds contain magnesium promotes both sleep and muscle relaxation. They also help to keep blood sugar levels stable overnight. Bananas are an excellent source of magnesium and potassium. They also contain tryptophan an amino acid that helps us to sleep but don't forget fruit contains sugar too.

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Relaxation Tips - The Sleep Charity

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Feeling relaxed is important in the run up to bedtime for both parent and child. If your child is experiencing difficulties sleeping it can make you both feel anxious. Youngsters often pick up on stress levels so try to create a relaxing and calm environment as bedtime approaches.

Here is some advice that may help:

1. Turn off all screens an hour before bedtime, this includes television, laptops, tablets and mobile phones. Screen activities can be mentally stimulating and also may inhibit the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone that helps us to feel drowsy.

2. Set aside time earlier during the day to allow your child to share any worries with you. It can be helpful to share how their day has been and what is planned for the next day. Make sure to give them your full attention.

3. Dim the lights in the hour before bed to create a relaxing environment and aid the production of melatonin.

4. Fine motor skill activities such as craft activities, model making, jigsaws or colouring pictures can aid relaxation.

5. Massage can help some children to unwind.

6. Classical music can be very soothing and makes good relaxing music to play in the background during the bedtime routine.

7. Mindfulness is being increasingly used and there is evidence to suggest that it can be helpful to promote relaxation and sleep. There are a number of apps and products on the market that may be useful.

8. Encourage your child to concentrate on their breathing. Imagine breathing in a beautiful white light and blowing out any worries or troubles each time they exhale. Breathing exercises are also useful for parents to carry out and are a great exercise to enjoy together.

9. Teach your child to progressively relax the muscles in their body. They can begin my tensing their feet to the count of 5 and then letting them relax. Next tense the calf muscles and relax, moving up to the thighs and so on until they have relaxed each part of their body. This is another good activity to try together.

10. End the day on a positive note by sharing 5 great things that have happened during the day.

If you are concerned about your child's anxiety levels discuss with your GP or a healthcare professional, some children may require specialist support.

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Youngsters often pick up on stress levels so try to create a relaxing and calm environment as bedtime approaches.

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It is important to make sure that your baby is a comfortable temperature - not too hot or too cold. The chance of SIDS is higher in babies who get too hot. A room temperature of 16-20°C - with light bedding or a lightweight, well-fitting baby sleep bag- is comfortable and safe for sleeping babies.

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Problems getting twins to sleep

There are several reasons why 2 or more babies may be more difficult to get into a good sleeping routine.

Twins and triplets are more likely to be born prematurely and spend time in neonatal care, where they're used to being touched and nursed frequently.

They may miss this contact and find it hard to settle when they come home.

If you're still visiting 1 baby in hospital, it can be hard to establish a good routine with the other baby at home.

Other things to note:

Newborn babies, in particular premature babies, have tiny stomachs and need to feed frequently.

It may take longer to get into a routine with 2 babies to care for.

More than 1 person may be caring for your babies, and they'll take a while to get used to being handled in different ways by different people.

You may want to comfort a restless twin faster than you would a single baby, as you're worried they may wake up their twin.

But there are plenty of ways to encourage a good sleeping routine so everyone gets enough rest.

Can my twins sleep in 1 cot?

You can put your twins to sleep in a single cot while they're small enough. This is called co-bedding and is perfectly safe.

In fact, putting twins in the same cot can help them regulate their body temperatures and sleep cycles, and can soothe them and their twin.

If you put your twins in the same cot, follow the same safe sleeping advice as for a single baby.

They should be placed on their backs with the tops of their heads facing one another and their feet at opposite ends of the cot, or side by side on their backs, with their feet at the foot of the cot.

Use a single cot for co-bedding, but not a Moses basket, as it'll be too small for 2 babies.

Co-bedding means you can keep your babies with you in your room for longer.

With triplets, you can place them next to each other across a cot while they're still small enough to fit.

They should be laid on their backs with their feet touching the side of the cot.

When your twins are older, you may choose to put them in separate cots placed close together so they can continue to comfort each other.

If older twins are disturbing one another, you may think about giving them separate rooms if you have enough space.

It's recommended that babies sleep in the same room as their parents for the first 6 months, as this is known to reduce the risk of cot death.

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There are several reasons why 2 or more babies may be more difficult to get into a good sleeping routine. Twins and triplets are more likely to be born prematurely and spend time in neonatal care, where they're used to being touched and nursed frequently.

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The bedroom environment plays an important role in getting a good night's sleep. There is a lot to consider including temperature, light and comfort. Here are some tips to help you to make sure that your child's bedroom supports a restful night's sleep:

1. Decorate in neutral colours, bright colours can be over stimulating.

2. If the room is too hot or too cold it can disturb sleep, around 18 degrees is ideal, you may find it helpful to invest in a room thermometer.

3. Make the bedroom a gadget free zone. If possible, keep TVs, gaming devices, tablets and phones out of the bedroom. Using them before may suppress the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, and make it more difficult to nod off.

4. White noise can mask out background noise and may be useful.

5. For younger children put away toys or cover them with sheets at nighttime so that they don't provide a distraction. For older children try to discourage them from doing schoolwork on their bed and pack away school books at bedtime.

6. A dark environment can help with melatonin production making us feel drowsy at the start of the night. Blackout blinds can also help in the summer months to avoid early waking.

7. Some youngsters (and adults!) prefer a little light in the room at nighttime. If a dark room is distressing or disorientating, try using a soft glowing night light that can be safely left on all night. Those with visual/hearing impairments for example can find total darkness disorientating.

8. Consistent conditions throughout the night are important. Avoid using products that switch off during the night or turning landing lights off when you go to bed.

9. Comfort is important, we all have different needs when it comes to what we prefer and what suits our bodies. The firmness of the mattress and pillows, the texture of the bedding and nightclothes are all important considerations when planning our sleep environments, especially for those youngsters with sensory needs. For more information on mattresses for children visit NBF's Bed Advice UK.

10. Never use the bedroom or an early bedtime as a sanction for children, sleep should be promoted positively.

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The bedroom environment plays an important role in getting a good night's sleep. There is a lot to consider including temperature, light and comfort. Here are some tips to help you to make sure that your child's bedroom supports a restful night's sleep: Decorate in neutral colours, bright colours can be over stimulating.

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Children with SEND - The Sleep Charity

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If you have a child with additional needs and sleep issues, bedtime can be tricky.

Whether they struggle to communicate how they're feeling, have increased anxiety, sensory issues or social cueing problems, sleeping well may be difficult. For example research estimates that between 40-80% of children and young adults with autism have sleep problems. If your child regularly has difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, it may be a sign of a sleep issue.

Lack of sleep can impact in the following ways:

Aggression

Depression

Hyperactivity

Increased behavioural problems

Irritability

Poor learning and cognitive performance

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If a child struggles to communicate how they're feeling, have increased anxiety, sensory issues or social cueing problems, sleeping well may be difficult.

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Our dedicated sleep service is here to help.

Alongside our Sleep Tips booklet and relevant guides, we also offer one-to-one support. This involves completing an application form for your child and two weeks' worth of sleep diaries which we'll send out to you as long as you come under our criteria for support.

If you need one-to-one support and are a parent/carer or a professional referring a family with their consent to having sleep support, please click the button below to contact the sleep service.

If you have a question or query about our services please email us at [email protected].

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Sleep tips Our Sleep Tips booklet introduces and explains different techniques for you to try that may improve your child's sleep. It covers ten main topics including bedtime routines, daytime napping, comfort objects and moving bedtime backwards or forwards. It gives lots of illustrated hints and tips for putting the...

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The Wonder Weeks Apps | The Wonder Weeks

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The Wonder Weeks Apps | The Wonder Weeks

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Our sanity saving, all explaining apps. The must have 'original', our AudiBook app and our newest Milestone Memories app.

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Sleep | Barnardo's Family Space (barnardos.org.uk)

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Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - sometimes known as "cot death" - is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby. It is rare and the chance of it affecting your baby is very low. However it can still happen and there are steps you can take to help reduce the risk of SIDS for your baby.

The risk of SIDS can be further reduced by following the dos and don'ts below:

Do

Always place your baby on their back to sleep in a clear, separate sleep space such as a cot or Moses basket

Place your baby in the "feet to foot" position - with their feet touching the end of the cot, Moses basket, or pram

Keep your baby's head uncovered, their blanket should be tucked in no higher than their shoulders, baby's do not need hats indoors

Let your baby sleep in a cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months both day and night

Use a mattress that's firm, flat, waterproof and in good condition

Breastfeed your baby if you can, our breastfeeding page has more information

Keep your baby smoke free day and night

Follow The Lullaby Trust's advice on how to use a sling or baby-carrier safely, if you use one

Do not

Sleep on a bed, sofa or armchair with your baby

Share a bed with your baby if you or your partner smoke or take drugs or medication which makes you drowsy

Share a bed with your baby if you or your partner have recently drunk any alcohol

Share a bed with your baby if your baby was born prematurely or weighed under 2.5kg when they were born

Let your baby get too hot or too cold - a room temperature of 16°C to 20°C, with light bedding or a lightweight baby sleeping bag, will provide a comfortable sleeping environment for your baby

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Our guide to sleep for babies includes how to know when your baby is tired, how much sleep your baby might need, and how to keep them safe while sleeping.

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How do I swaddle my baby or use a sling?

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How do I swaddle my baby or use a sling?

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Baby Slings
How to swaddle a baby

Sleep baby on their back

Never put a swaddled baby to sleep on their front or side. The safest sleeping position for a baby (swaddled or not) is on their back .

Use thin swaddling materials

Use materials such as a thin muslin or thin cot sheet, and never place any additional bedding over a swaddled baby as they could cause them to overheat.

Do not use blankets to swaddle a baby.

Use minimum amount of clothing necessary

Ensure baby is not overdressed under the swaddle and has their head uncovered. Babies do not need hats indoors unless advised by a medical professional, as it can cause them to overheat.

Check your baby's temperature to ensure they don't t get too hot (the back of the neck is a good spot for this). If their skin is hot or sweaty, remove one or more layers of bedclothes.

It is also important to . keep an eye on how warm or cold the room is 16-20°C is a comfortable room temperature for sleeping babies so we would advise you to use a room thermometer in the rooms where your baby sleeps.

Swaddle securely

To reduce the risk of your baby's face getting covered by loose material, they should be swaddled securely so the swaddle can't come apart or undone. This is because loose, soft bedding can accidentally get pulled over a baby's head, causing overheating or a breathing obstruction, increasing the chance of SIDS.

However, swaddles should not be applied very tightly around the hips as this is a strongly associated with developmental dysplasia of the hip.

How to swaddle a baby: a diagram

Never swaddle a baby when:

When to stop swaddling

Once a baby shows signs of rolling, stop swaddling them with their arms wrapped inside the material. This is because your little one may roll onto their tummy and not be able to roll back again without the use of their arms.

The safest sleeping position for a baby is on their back , so we don't want to risk them getting stuck on their tummy.

Swaddling products

There are various swaddle products on the market such as swaddle blankets, swaddle sacks and swaddle bags. We can't comment on their safety but parents/carers need to ensure the product meets necessary safety standards and fits their baby well.

Always follow the individual product's guidance. (For example, some swaddle manufacturers recommend their product is based on a baby's weight rather than age.)

We do not advise on a specific tog rating for swaddle products. However, we advise parents/carers to use a lower tog rating to reduce the chance of baby overheating.

How to use a baby sling

Slings and baby-carriers

Slings and baby-carriers are useful for holding a baby hands-free, however they are not always used safely. Although there is no reliable evidence that slings are directly associated with SIDS, there have been a number of deaths worldwide where infants have suffered a fatal accident from the use of a sling. These accidents are particularly due to suffocation, and particularly in young infants.

The risk appears to be greatest when a baby's airway is obstructed either by their chin resting on their chest or their mouth and nose being covered by a parent's skin or clothing.

The safest baby carrier to use will keep the infant firmly in an upright position where a parent can always see their baby's face, and ensure their airways are free. Complete guidance is available by visiting The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

The Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers provides the following advice to baby sling wearers: keep your baby close and keep your baby safe. When wearing a sling or baby carrier, keep in mind the TICKS guidelines:

This is to ensure that your baby's airway is kept clear, and so you can check that they are able to breathe easily and are not overheating.

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Swaddling and slings - The Lullaby Trust

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It is very important to follow the guidelines on how to swaddle a baby or use a sling more safely. This is to reduce the risk of SIDS.

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How do I keep my baby safe while they sleep?

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How do I keep my baby safe while they sleep?

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Safer sleep overview - The Lullaby Trust

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An easy guide to practicing safer sleep for your baby and reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS, or cot death).

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How much sleep should my newborn baby have? | NHS