Are you one of those parents struggling to sleep? You’re not alone! In a Swedish study, 30 percent of parents of children aged 6 to 20 months reported problems with their child waking up at night. Studies also show that 25 percent of all 5-6 year olds have sleep problems. (Source: The National Handbook for Child Health Services)

Problems with falling asleep and your child waking up frequently at night are the most common type of sleep problems throughout a child’s upbringing. The most common problem is that children have difficulty falling asleep at night and/or during the day and falling asleep again without the help of their parents.

As a sleep consultant, I meet many tired parents who have lost hope of getting a good night’s sleep. I want to give you new hope because I know that it’s possible to establish good routines around falling asleep and children falling back asleep again on their own.

You can influence your child’s sleep more than you might think or dare to hope for! You can change routines that aren’t working and replace them with routines that are long-term and sustainable and that are based on your child feeling safe, having control over where you are in your home and accepting being in bed whilst awake and until it is time to get up.

Feel free to read about different methods and choose a method that feels right for your family. If you are unsure as to whether you should really introduce new routines, my advice is to wait until you are ready. Being theoretically, practically and mentally prepared will put you in the best position and it is important not to lose confidence.

Changing routines can be difficult, especially the first few days when the new routines are introduced. Be sure to set aside time and focus on the change. Cross out as much as you can on your calendar. If one of you is working, that person should of course do so, but see if it is possible to take a day off when new routines are introduced. For those of you who are on parental leave, create a small world around yourselves. You need time to reflect and rest. Your child will also need a little less stimulation when the new routines are introduced. It takes strength and energy to create new behaviors – both for you as a parent and for your child.

Consciously working to create good sleeping conditions is about understanding sleep and sleeping in a holistic way. Take a holistic approach to everyday life. Create a schedule adapted to your child’s age (there are plenty online).