📺TV before bedtime📺
My boys watch TV. They have iPads. I believe it’s absolutely fine in moderation. However when it’s affecting your little one’s mood and sleep, something needs to change.
We used to include TV as part of our bedtime routine, we didn’t see any harm in a bit of ‘kids tv’ (there’s even a cbeebies programme called ‘bedtime stories!) but when my eldest started getting upset when it was over and it took us longer to calm him down than the programme was on for, we knew we needed to make a change.
I always advise turning off the TV at least 1 hour before your child’s bedtime. Here’s why:
* 📺Blue light from screens (TV, tablets, phones) can interfere with melatonin production, the hormone that helps promote sleep.
* 🤪Exciting or fast-paced content can overstimulate your child, making it harder for them to wind down.
* 😴Quiet, screen-free time helps establish a calm routine that cues the brain for sleep.
What can you do instead?
* 😴Engage in calming activities like reading a book, listening to soft music, or doing a quiet puzzle.
* 🛌Create a consistent bedtime routine to help their body and mind prepare for sleep.
wakes?
In our house, our rules are that boys can watch TV before dinner time. It’s our compromise and means we can sort dinner and sort the house out 😂 However, once we call them for dinner, there is no more TV until the next day. So this is usually around 5.30 and they’re all asleep by 7.30. It works well for us!
Have you found limiting screen time helps with your little one’s bedtime and overnight wakes?
