The Sleepless Child

I always like to take a holistic approach when it comes to getting a good night sleep. There are many different things you can do to keep improving on the length and quality of sleep for you and your child. I like to take the same approach I do with everything, and that is, every child is unique and has different needs at different stages and times. Styles of parenting and household situations are different too.  

I have taken different approaches to sleep since Xavier was a baby until now and as a three year old. There are things that have and haven’t worked for me over this time. Getting plenty of fresh air and play during the day helps Xavier to be more relaxed in the evening. A walk before dinner with the dogs, dinner, a little play time and then bath is a good routine for us. Our favourite essential oils to use in the bath are dōTERRA Lavender Peace, Roman Chamomile, Peace or Balance.

After bathtime, a little massage with essential oils is great too. dōTERRA Lavender Touch Blend over the belly helps with digestion and Easy Air Touch Blend over the chest and feet helps with breathing. I like to use dōTERRA Copaiba and Frankincense Touch Blends to massage all over the arms, legs and back for a full body massage a few times per week, and finish off with Balance under the feet. Four days of every month I massage a blend called FLOOM (Fankincense, Lemon, Oregano, OnGuard and Melaleuca) on the bottom of Xavier’s feet and up spine to support his immune system. If the immune system needs a boost you can apply this blend once a day for up to ten days. Having a relaxing environment in the nursery or bedroom, diffusing a relaxing oil like dōTERRA Lavender Peace has been our nightly routine since birth.

The right lighting is important too as complete darkness helps with melatonin production. A room free from digital devices, TV’s, computers, phones and tablets is ideal as the blue light eminating from these devices suppresses melatonin levels and electro-magnetic radiation is harmful for your health.

The Gia Wellness products protect us from electro-magnetic radiation. Baby monitors and any digital devices can be fitted with Gia Wellness Guards and children can wear a Gialite or Gialife Pendant to protect them at all times. A room that is away from smart meters, electricity meters and routers further protects children from the effects of electro-magnetic radiation

Feeling safe is key for a good night sleep. I have always taken the approach that if my child needs comforting, I comfort them. Xavier has always needed the comfort of touch - before going to sleep he likes to rub my nose while having his bottle and if he wakes up in the night he reaches for my nose to feel comfort.  

Children love going to bed with their favourite toy. For Xavier he has had Bunny since he was born and this has been his little companion to help him feel safe.  Bunny goes everywhere with him; his little friend helps him feel protected.

I tend to go with the flow when it comes to naps during the day.  If he needs a nap then he needs a nap, I just know then I have to maybe up the anti on the nighttime routine.  This might include popping a few drops of dōTERRA Copaiba and a drop of YarrowPom in his bedtime bottle, slightly warmed. My favourite grounding oils for sleep are dōTERRA Cedarwood and Vetiver. Both massaged under the feet and Vetiver at the base of the spine.

Limiting screen time before bed and reading books instead is preferable. Bad habits can happen and can always be changed with sometimes a little resistance at first.

I find reducing high activity play is essential. My husband used to get home late and would always want to play with Xavier which wound him up and I was constantly saying “keep it calm” (which did not always happen).  When his nervous system was too wired and sleep was not on the cards, my little friends dōTERRA Copaiba and Yarrowpom would have to come out and popping a drop of each in his mouth works every time to settle his nervous system down.