Parents warned to look out for 'first signs' of children not getting enough sleep

With the new academic year in full swing, parents up and down the country will have to contend with ensuring their children are back in a good bedtime routine

As the new academic year is well underway, parents across the nation are grappling with ensuring their children return to a healthy bedtime routine. Lack of sufficient sleep can have severe implications on your child's health and hinder their development.

Re-establishing routines after the lengthy summer break can pose a challenge for numerous families. A whopping 76 per cent of British parents admit to finding the task of getting their children to sleep stressful at times, and 84 per cent have faced difficulties in doing so.

However, experts have shared some vital tips to make the bedtime process as seamless as possible, and they're incredibly easy to integrate into your family routines. JoJo Maman Bébé collaborated with sleep experts Dave Gibson and Jenna Wilson to assist parents during this transitional phase as children acclimatise to being back at school and adjust to their timetable - all while the evenings become shorter as we delve further into the colder months.

Experts are highlighting some key signs to watch for that could suggest your child isn't getting enough sleep. Sleep coach Dave Gibson advises, "One of the first signs of loss of sleep is a change of mood with your child becoming grumpy, and unable to control their emotions," adding that "Difficulty concentrating as well as increased clumsiness and headaches are all signs. Younger children might even have increased bedwetting. Opt for monitoring bed and wake times to track sleep and look for signs of sleepiness in the day."

Sleep consultant Jenna Wilson also points out, "Another sign is them regularly falling asleep and always having to wake them in the morning instead of them naturally waking up."

Gibson emphasises that "Consistency is key" in establishing bedtime routines, suggesting that "The ideal bedtime routine would involve doing a series of relaxing rituals in the same order at the same time each night. Consistency is the key here as this conditions our brain to anticipate sleep is coming. Having a lighter meal before bedtime is also important during the summer months."

He also recommends, "With younger children, be mindful of not varying bedtimes too much - 15 minutes either way is fine. If they need to stay up later than usual, put them down for a nap during the day so they have some 'sleep in the bank'."

It's crucial, he notes, "It's important to maintain the schedule on weekends and during school holiday periods too."

Sleep consultant Jenna Wilson also points out, "A good routine can include some quiet play time in a dimly lit room and a story before sleep. It can be tricky to have quiet time before bed but aim for 10-15 minutes inside with the curtains closed and a lamp on so your child can start to produce melatonin (the hormone which helps sleep)."

Additionally, Dave Gibson suggests implementing a "countdown" to bedtime and incorporating "relaxation exercises" into their bedtime routine to help ensure your little ones are serene and ready for sleep.