Sleep

Tamaiti pūhou - babies 0-3 months

Need some tips getting your tamaiti pūhou (babies 0-3 months) sleeping well, sitting less and moving more?

Owhaowha - infants 3-12 months

How much sleep and activity do your owhaowha (infants 3-12 months) actually need?

Tamaiti nohinohi - toddlers 1-2 years

With so much information out there, understanding what your tamaiti nohinihi (toddlers 1-2 years) need in terms of sleeping, playing and adventuring can be hard.

Tamaiti - preschool 3-4 years

At this age tamaiti can be a bundle of energy!

Make bedtime comfortable

The place where your child sleeps should be quiet, warm and dark (a night light is okay though).

A settled tummy for a settled sleep

A light snack may help some kids sleep, but a meal within 1 to 2 hours before bed is not recommended and might make them uncomfortable and keep them awake. Giving your child food or drink with caffeine in it can also keep them awake longer than you want, so it's best to avoid them.

Increasing bed time

You can get your child to bed earlier by gradually changing the time. Get them to bed 30 minutes earlier and wake them 30 minutes later.

Keep your child active

Being active helps your child learn and grow. It also helps your child sleep. Spending time during the day, outside in bright sunlight, can help children sleep - but don't forget to be SunSmart.

Should my child have daytime naps?

It's normal for young children to have naps in the day. As they get older they need less sleep and fewer naps. Once your child is older than one year, a nap after 4pm can make it harder to get them to sleep at night.

Set a time for sleep

Have a regular bedtime and wake up time. This will help your child understand when it is time to sleep.

Why is sleep important for children?

Sleep restores your child's energy and helps them to grow and develop. The right amount of sleep can help improve behaviour, learning, health, wellbeing and weight.

Remove distractions and temptations

Try to keep TVs, computers and other portable devices out of the room where your child sleeps.