Keeping your kids on a regular bedtime routine is a great way to protect their sleep schedule. When each night is the same, your childrens' circadian rhythm will adjust accordingly. Rather than fighting to get them to sleep, you can help your kids sleep easily and quickly every night. The following tips can help you develop a stellar nighttime routine that works for your family.

Healthy Snacks and Vitamins

One of your first steps in an effective bedtime routine is managing your kids' hunger and thirst. If you don't want to deal with little voices asking for water every few minutes, it's essential to get a healthy snack and drink at the start of your evening. Snacks like nuts, bananas, and cherries can all contribute to healthy sleep for you and your children. By incorporating these snacks into your nighttime routine, you can improve your chances for a good night's sleep for the whole family.

In addition to grabbing some snacks, it's also crucial to make sure your children get their daily vitamins as part of their nighttime routine. Especially during cold and flu season, it's vital to make sure your little ones have the vitamins necessary to build a healthy immune response. Giving your kids vitamin C or vitamin D gummies will help them stay healthy when germs start flying around. When you start your nighttime routine with snacks and vitamins, you give your children the best chance for a good night's sleep.

Hygiene Maintenance

Once snacks are out of the way, it's time for your children to take care of their hygiene. One of the biggest steps in your child's sanitary routine should be a bath or shower. Depending on their age, you may have to help them wash their body and hair. If you opt for a bath, adding lavender-scented soap can provide for some instant relaxation. Whether your children like bubble baths or regular baths, including calming products can make bedtime quick and easy.

Of course, any good nighttime routine should include oral care. Starting at around six months old, your children should be getting daily tooth brushing to prevent decay and damage to the teeth. For babies and toddlers, a simple wipe of the gums with a washcloth will suffice. Older children should use a soft toothbrush with a pea-sized dollop of toothpaste. With proper oral care, your little ones will have healthy teeth and gums throughout their lives. Taking care of hygiene before bed will help you build a healthy evening routine.

Bedtime Bonding

Finally, it's time to spend some quality time with your children. One great way to bond with your kids while building a routine is by reading a bedtime story. Let each child choose a book they like and spend some time reading to them. Not only will this help strengthen your relationship, but it will also improve your child's individual reading ability. While you're reading, you can use silly voices, act out your stories, or even have your child read with you to help make the experience memorable each night.

Ultimately, the way you connect with your kids is completely based on you. If your little ones prefer quality time, reading a book or singing a lullaby before bed can help improve your relationship. If they like treats, making a special snack together at the start of your routine will show them you love them. No matter how you and your children connect, spending time with them in the evening is a crucial part of an effective bedtime routine.

Overall, having a consistent bedtime routine is important for your family. Whether you're a first-time parent or have been doing this for years, create a nighttime schedule that benefits your whole family.