A comfortable and soft pillow ensures a restful sleep. The pillow plays a crucial role in the comfort of children's sleep. A normal adult-sized pillow does not always fit a child, as it can be too large. For this reason, it is important to choose a pillow that is made specifically for children.
According to a study from Canada, 40 percent of children under the age of 10 suffer from sleep deprivation. Too little sleep can affect a child's growth, development, learning and behavior. Experts recommend starting with good "sleep hygiene." A consistent and calming bedtime routine and a room that is prepared for sleep - cool temperature, comfortable pillows and a soft nightlight.
Why can't children fall asleep?
Denying bedtime
Children are masters at delaying bedtime: jumping out of bed to ask for another glass of water, a hug, or another story. A "visual schedule" that shows pictures of the nighttime routine, e.g., toothbrush, toilet, story, sleep, can help establish a bedtime ritual for the child.
Nighttime waking
Many children wake up several times a night and cannot fall back asleep on their own. They often have "sleep association disorder": they have developed a set of criteria that must be met in order to fall asleep, such as having a parent lie with them or having the hallway light on. An experiment would be to use a "fall asleep table" with a reward that your child only receives if they stay in bed a certain number of nights. The prize should not be material, but something special where the child spends time with a parent.
Fear of the Night
Some children have nighttime phobias - whether it's a fear of the dark, something scary they've seen, or a general uneasiness about sleeping alone. Some children may just be seeking attention, but if fear is the reason, we need to teach the child the difference between fantasy and reality and help them overcome these fears. Parents should reassure the child that he is safe and that there is nothing in the house except family members. A small night light can already be a great support for the child when he wakes up at night.
What helps when children can't fall asleep?
Set up a bedtime routine
Choose a bedtime routine that fits your daily routine. This can be dinner, followed by a bath, a quiet game or story, then brushing teeth, toileting, and bed. There should be time to cuddle, but not to romp and play. Make sure the last 30 minutes before bed are quiet, with no television or other electronic devices. Children need quiet before they go to bed.
Help your child to settle in
There are several ways to help your child get to sleep. You can stay in the room, cuddle your child to sleep, check on him regularly, or close the door and stay away. All of these options have their pros and cons, and it's important to choose a method that suits you and your child. When your child is old enough to understand the situation, explain what will happen and what you expect.
A comfortable place to sleep
The right pillow and a cozy blanket will make your child look forward to going to sleep, feel safe and secure. The pillow for your child should be soft and comfortable, but also firm to provide optimal support for your child's developing body. Are size and supportiveness really important? Absolutely. A normal pillow is designed to support an adult's head and neck. Children's bodies are proportioned differently. Adult pillows can put unnecessary stress on the neck and shoulders, which disrupts sleep and leads to discomfort and poor posture.
The KomfortKissen Kids also helps children to toss and turn less at night and promotes a calmer and more restful sleep. The KomfortKissen not only offers children better sleeping comfort, but also a place to retreat to, which gives them a sense of security and safety. This can quickly make it easier for children to fall asleep and can be integrated into the bedtime routine at the beginning. You can choose a pillow design together with your child. Whether it's a dinosaur, unicorn, astronaut or fox - your child will find a companion in their KomfortKissen that will help them fall asleep and stay asleep at night.
The bottom line: a comfortable KomfortKissen is the key to a restful night's sleep so that you and your child can start the day refreshed!