The UK is facing a new urgent amber heat alert with temperatures set to surge above 34°C this week, making it difficult for children to fall asleep. Research by CapyChews reveals that nearly half of parents (48%) say their child's sleep worsens during hot weather, rising to 71% among families with four-year-olds. Additionally, 82% of children are sleep-deprived, with only 18% getting the recommended nine hours of sleep a night.
Common Bedtime Mistake During Heatwaves
Andrea Grace, a baby and child sleep consultant, identified a common mistake parents make: putting children to bed too early. She said: "One of the most common bedtime mistakes parents make is putting their child to bed too early. While early bedtimes are usually recommended, a bedtime that comes before a child is genuinely ready for sleep can make falling asleep harder – and your child's bed can become associated with wakefulness." Grace suggests a later bedtime for a few nights, then gradually moving it earlier once the child falls asleep easily.
£1.50 Chamomile Ice Lolly Hack
Fraser Gowland, Founder of CapyChews, shared four tips to help parents during a heatwave, including a genius £1.50 hack. Chamomile tea has known benefits to help kids sleep, but a hot drink during a heatwave is counter-productive. Instead, make chamomile tea, let it cool, and freeze it into ice lollies. Chamomile tea can be bought for as little as £1.50. Babies can have weak, unsweetened chamomile tea after six months, but experts advise waiting until 12 months due to potential allergen risks.
Other Tips for Keeping Kids Cool
Move to the Coolest Room
For extreme conditions, have kids sleep in the coolest room in the house. Create a makeshift bed for a few nights. If worried about disturbing their sleep routine, consider sleeping with them for added comfort.
Cool Clothing and Cloths
Keep kids' bedding and pyjamas cool by placing them in the freezer for a short time. Leave a cold flannel by the bedside for cooling the forehead, neck, and hands throughout the night.
Sleep Gummies
Gentle, natural support can be helpful. Look for products with magnesium, chamomile, lavender, and lemon balm. Sleep gummies could be the secret to successful sleep, but it's still important to keep kids cool in other ways.
