4 ways independent play helps your active baby sleep better.
As the day unwinds and bedtime looms, we start to slow down in anticipation of that moment when we hit the pillow and rest our weary eyes. Yet, at the same time, our little ones can appear like they are gearing up for a party, bursting with energy, so the battle begins as you try to calm them down and get ready for sleep.
Hyperactivity at night in young children is not uncommon and can be caused by many contributing factors. However, there are things you can do to help your kiddo sleep more soundly, and one of the most successful strategies is to encourage your little one to play independently during the day.
Here, we break down four ways independent play helps your active baby sleep better so you can both enjoy that quiet time at the end of the day.
1. It promotes development
While interaction with caregivers and other children are vital for healthy development, independent play is just as crucial. When little ones are allowed to explore their environment and entertain themselves, it fosters critical skills essential for their development.
Independent play promotes:
Creativity
Problem Solving
Confidence
Self-Regulation
So how does it contribute to sleep? Emotional control and self-regulation are critical for healthy sleep. When your little one plays independently, they are learning how to stay calm and engaged without your assistance which is an essential skill at bedtime.
2. It eliminates over-stimulation
Overstimulation occurs when children are swamped by more noise, sensations, and activities than they can cope with. Unfortunately, many parents turn to screen time in the hours before bed as they view it as a quiet and calming activity. The truth is screen time is completely counterproductive for your little one's sleep.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children under 18 months have no screen time at all and that kids ages 2 - 5 should get no more than an hour of screen time per day. The blue light emitted by a screen can inhibit your baby's production of melatonin (the body's sleepy hormone) and increase cortisol levels linked to stress and hyperactivity at bedtime.
Independent play has been associated with lower cortisol levels in children, encouraging a healthy circadian rhythm and good sleep hygiene.
3. Uses energy
While exercise and physical activity right before bed may not be recommended, reduced physical activity and increased screen time during the day can adversely impact sleep. Encouraging independent play during the day gives your little one an opportunity to use their growing curiosity and energy.
Try setting up a safe place (like a playpen) where your baby can explore and engage in large motor play. Your little one will enjoy the freedom of movement, and physical activity will improve the quality of their sleep.
4. Will help them self-soothe
The ability to self-soothe is an essential social-emotional tool children use to fall asleep on their own at night. Independent play encourages the development of this crucial skill and will help your little one lay in their crib or bed without needing your presence to drift off to sleep.
Encouraging independent play
You can start to implement independent play with your baby at around 5 months of age. At this stage, they can typically hold their head up and manipulate a toy on their own. While it is great to start teaching them this skill early, children of all ages can learn to play independently.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
Ensure your little one is well-rested and fed before play.
Start the play session with your baby and then slowly move away to where your little one can see you but has room to play independently.
Don't overwhelm your baby with too many toys; keep it simple.
Start with small sessions of approximately 10 minutes and extend as your baby becomes more confident.
It takes time
Independent play provides rich and varied developmental benefits for our little ones that carry over into everyday activities, including sleep. However, every child is different, and teaching independent play can take time… and that's ok. Childhood development is not a race. If your little one has difficulty winding down for sleep, reach out to a pediatric sleep consultant for professional advice.
My Sweet Sleeper offers one-on-one coaching crafted to meet the needs of your unique family and the opportunity to connect with other parents on a similar journey in group sessions.
We are here to support you and your little ones through every stage of development.
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How to manage sleep for your baby with separation anxiety.
