Sleepness nights can be tolerated and even enjoyed at first but sleep deprivation can be torture.

The pressure to have a child that sleeps well at night can often be heightened by family and friends. A common question from people is ‘How do they sleep?’ or ‘Are they sleeping through yet?’. Even though the question is well intentioned it can create feelings of inadequacy if your child does not sleep for long stretches at night.

Our advice is:

• Children are different and can encounter different problems at different times.
• Support for everyone. Lack of sleep can cloud judgement and can cause friction and divides. Counteract this by supporting each other. Take turns at getting up and discuss possible solutions together.
• If you are tense and uptight about your child’s sleeping then there is a chance that they will sense this, which is counter-productive. Relax and set realistic but flexible goals. Often progress takes the form ‘two steps forward, one step back’.
• Listen to tips and avice from all sources but take it with a pinch of salt. What may well work for one child may not work for another.
• Invest in a good book. Children’s sleep or lack of sleep has been a hot topic for a long time so a good book can provide a wealth of tips and techniques to help improve your own personal situation.

The following selection of books have been rated highly by readers:

Author: SuperDads

We’re here to make a difference. Superdads not only offers advice but we are her e to promote the importance of fatherhood. Many people are oblivious to the fact that Dads really do matter and this is something we’d like to put right.

Homepage