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Avoid a sleep deprived Christmas 

Sleep is a hot topic in our house and when we were asked to bring you this post in association with Bedstar, we knew avoiding sleep deprivation would be top of many parents Christmas lists this year.

Nothing is guaranteed to cause over excitement and lack of sleep among the kids - and therefore the adults - of the house than Christmas. As soon as you put the tree up and start gathering the gifts, the countdown begins and excited eyes don’t want to close! Of course, the last thing anyone wants is a sleep deprived Christmas Day, particularly when there is inevitably a huge group of people to cook for and every tradition to keep going. Here’s some Lilypad tips to make sure everyone gets enough sleep during the most wonderful time of the year. 

Stick to your normal routine 

With young children it can be tempting to let them stay up later to enjoy the festive films, or play longer, but it’s most definitely wise to make sure they go to bed at their normal time, right up to and including Christmas Eve (especially if you need to wrap those last minute presents like me!)

When it comes to the big night, don’t forget to remind them that they need to be asleep for Santa - otherwise he won’t come! Putting snacks out for the big man and his reindeers is a tradition that can help to get them keen to go to bed so that the next day comes quicker.

If you’re sneaking gifts into their room or under the tree, wait until they are definitely asleep (you don’t want to ruin the magic) and set a rule the night before that nothing gets opened before 7am. It’s fairly unlikely they’ll stick to it but you never know - it could buy you some precious time in bed before you have to get up and start the Big Day itself. 

Is everyone sleeping well? 

If you find your children aren’t sleeping well or for long in general then it could be time to look at their environment a bit more closely. This is especially important during the exciting festive period, but will also stand you in good stead for the new year.

If they have a plethora of electrical equipment (TVs, iPads, consoles) in their room, remove them. Make sure their bedroom is just for sleeping and reading. Encouraging your little ones to read (or be read to) for half an hour before lights out can be a great way to get them to properly relax. 

Check their mattress - if it’s five years old or less then it’s most likely OK, but a lumpy or uncomfortable mattress can really impede anyone’s sleep time, including kids. It could be time to treat them to a new bed for Christmas, complete with brand new mattress to lull them into dreamland. And it doesn’t have to cost the earth - we all have enough expenses at this time of year without adding on any others! Have a look online and do some research. When you’ve decided on the kind of bed and mattress you’re after, buy from www.bedstar.co.uk to make sure you get the best deal and the best quality. They also have a fantastic range of character and themed beds that will make sure your kids are dying to get to bed. 

Late nights or not?

Depending on the age of your children, either make sure you stick with their normal routine on Christmas Day - there’s always time for a nap, even in the busiest of days. If they’re older then try making it a treat to stay up late can put the cherry on top of the Christmas cake, and mean some extra special family time.