Diet & Sleep
What your child eats during the day may impact on their sleep during the night. A light snack in the hour before bedtime may be helpful for some children. Avoid heavy meals as this can make it more difficult to sleep but also be mindful that if your child is starting the day early it may be due to hunger.
It’s best to avoid sugar but also consider natural sugar levels when providing a little snack. Fruit and natural fruit juice contain sugar and too much of them too close to bed can provide a rush of energy. Avoid caffeine from late afternoon onwards. It is not only present in tea and coffee but can also be found in hot chocolate and fizzy drinks.
Melatonin is the hormone that we produce when it gets dark and helps us to feel sleepy. Some foods contain melatonin although research around amounts and the impact on sleep needs a lot more work.
Foods that may aid sleep
There still needs to be much more research in this area but many families share that they find this list helpful:
Almonds
Bananas
Dairy, yogurt, milk and cheese
Cherries
Cereal
