With the endless proven benefits that healthy sleep habits offer from mental to physical and emotional gains, there isn’t a better resolution than transforming your family’s sleep in the New Year.

While there is never a wrong moment to encourage your children towards healthy sleep habits, there is no time more opportune than the welcoming of a New Year! Whether you have big or small changes to make in terms of sleep health in your home, my 10 New Year’s Sleep Resolutions will get you headed in the right direction for a well-rested house. Continue reading below as I reveal my top 10 New Year’s Sleep Resolutions that will be sure to get your whole family the rest you need to take on all of the challenges and excitement the New Year has to offer!

10 New Year’s Sleep Resolutions

1. Schedule Sleep

At 4 months of age your baby’s daytime biological sleep cycles begin developing. This means it is time for scheduled sleep which aligns with their bodies natural sleep patterns. Resolve to schedule your baby’s sleep to help them rest easier during times that match their biological needs. Doing so ensures your baby receives the most nourishing sleep possible.

2. Ditch the Sleep Crutches

Baby swings, stroller rides, pacifiers, excessive rocking, bouncing, car rides, etc. These are all tricks of the trade that help your baby to fall asleep but are also techniques your child cannot replicate on their own. When using these tools regularly your child develops a Negative Sleep Association that keeps you coming in and out of their room in the middle of the night. Resolve to avoid these negative sleep associations so your whole family can get back sleeping soundly throughout the night.

3. Stop doing the job for them

If we rock our children to sleep before placing them in bed they will never have the opportunity to learn to fall asleep independently. Resolve to encourage your children towards sleep independence by practicing the drowsy but awake rule by providing limited soothing assistance during the bedtime and nap time routine and always place your child down awake.

4. Shift to an Early Bedtime

shifting to an early bedtime has been known to address common sleep issues like bedtime battles, night wakings, early risings, and inconsistent or short naps. Resolve to shift bedtime earlier even if only by 30 minutes and your babe will thank you for it.

5. Eliminate Screen Time before Bed

Using electronics like TVs, computers, cell phones, and tablets will delay your body’s internal sleep patterns by hindering the release of that delicious sleepy hormone melatonin making it difficult to fall asleep. Resolve to eliminate screen time 1-2 hours before bedtime so those tempting devices don’t impede upon your babe’s precious sleep.

6. Make Bedtime Interactive

Experiencing bedtime battles and stalling tactics? Consider making a Bedtime Routine Checklist or Tickets. Both tools can be used to help your child follow along with each component of the routine. Doing so will give them a visual cue that the routine is coming to an end while also creating a limit to the number of the times they can ask for another book, another song, another drink of water etc. Resolve to create firm boundaries around the bedtime routine to reduce the chaos.

7. Talk about Sleep Health

Whether it is healthy eating habits, using manners, or sharing with friends we talk about the things we value as parents. The same goes for healthy sleep. Resolve to have a brief but focused and age appropriate conversation regarding the importance of sleep for the whole family and your child will learn to practice those healthy habits as well.

8. Create Sleep Rules

As our children enter the toddler stage their comprehension skills boom along with their tendency to partake in bedtime battles and nap time strikes. Address these common sleep issues by creating Sleep Rules for your children to follow. Resolve to create clear and simple rules that your children will understand and ones you can follow through with.

9. Prioritize Sleep

When something is a priority we don’t make excuses to fit it into our schedule. Sometimes this means saying no to other invitations or opportunities to allow for sleep when necessary. This doesn’t mean you will be a slave to your sleep schedule but it does mean you should find a balance that works for your family. Resolve to practice the 80/20 Rule—80% of the time you will stick to your sleep schedule while 20% of the time you make concessions to partake in fun activities.

10. Reach out for professional help

I offer Free 15 Minute Phone Consultations where you have the opportunity to share about your family’s sleep struggles and I will discuss the services I offer for support. Be sure to Like and Follow me on Facebook and Instagram where I offer Free daily sleep tips and insights.

Happy New Year from Sleep Bar!

Resolve to make your family’s sleep habits better this year. Healthy sleep is truly possible for everyone! Select one or select all of my New Year’s Sleep Resolutions and you will be sure to head down a path towards healthier sleep for your whole family this year!