Sleep and Circle of Security Concepts
Strong relationships help children to build a sense of security so they can conserve their energy and grow to their potential. When children feel anxious and insecure, they are constantly watchful for what may happen and feel they need to protect themselves from harm.
Weighted blankets – are not safe for babies and young children
Weighted blankets are also called ‘calming’ or ‘sensory’ blankets and are often marketed as a sleep aid for babies and young children. Advertisers claim weighted blankets assist the child to go to sleep because they boost a sense of security and help them to calm. However, there is no evidence or proof that any of these claims are accurate. In fact, weighted blankets can be very unsafe and tragically, there have been babies and children who have died when being covered by a weighted blanket during their sleep.
Tips for when your child is sleeping away from home
We’ve all heard that babies and young children are adaptable. But the truth is that many small people are not. Just like the adults in their lives, some respond more easily to changes in their daily routine, others are less flexible.
Whichever way your child is ‘hard wired’ to respond to change, there will be times when they’ll need a little more support. Sleep and settling is one aspect of care which needs to be flexible, depending on the day and where your child may be.
Safe sleeping during the day – why checking is important
Most parents are mindful of the importance of following the safe sleeping recommendations for their baby. Following these recommendations helps to reduce the risk of Sudden Unexplained Death in Infancy (SUDI) and to prevent sleeping accidents. Room sharing is also protective and reduces the risk of SUDI by up to 50%.
However, room sharing for day naps is a different matter to overnight when it’s easier for parents to check on their baby because they’re so close.
