Essential Tools For Promoting A Restful Night’s Sleep For Children

Aromatherapy Oils

Essential oils can make it easier to take care of ourselves and our kids from the comfort of our own homes. Here are some of our favorites to help your kids with their sleep routine, you can also add some essential oils to your humidifier:

• Aura Cacia Kids Bedtime Essential Oil
  • Place a drop or two on your child's pillow or favorite stuffed toy.

• Mindful & Co Kids Aromatherapy Spray: Dream (Pictured)
  • Spray 2-3 spritzes around their bedroom before bed or naptime, helping your children to slowly take stock of the day before drifting off into a quiet, peaceful sleep.

• Plant Therapy Organic Calming the Child KidSafe Essential Oil
  • Organic Calming The Child was created to help promote a tranquil atmosphere during the day or before bedtime. Used by adults and children alike, Calming The Child can help anyone feel more calm.

And if you'd like more, read on for our Top Ten Essential Oil Stores In Hong Kong

Bedtime Books And Stories

Storytime is one of the most special parts of the bedtime routine and there are so many stories to choose from. Here are some of our recommendations:

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise
  • A classic bedtime favorite for many decades and a must-have. Its beautiful words and rhythm will surely relax your little one to sleep.

• Rabbit's Nap by Julia Donaldson and Axel Sheffler
  • A great book to read both for naptime and bedtime. A fun, interactive book that is both educational and motivating when it's time to snooze.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
  • Another classic favorite and one of the best stories that talks about unconditional love.

• The Little Elephant Who Wants To Fall Asleep by Carl-Johan Forssén Ehrlin
  • Follow Ellen the Elephant as she goes through a mystical journey that eventually will lead to sleep.

• Sleep Tight With The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Fans of The Very Hungry Caterpillar will love this one. Join The Very Hungry Caterpillar and all his friends in this lift-the-flap board book perfect for bedtime.

• Time For Bed, Pete The Kitty by Kimberly and James Dean
  • Pete the Kitty helps toddlers get ready for bed! Pete takes a fun bubble bath, brushes his teeth, and picks out his pajamas before saying good night.

Cuddly Toys

• Jellycat Bartholomew Bear (Pictured)
  • Who doesn't love a classic stuffed fluffy bear to cuddle with throughout the night? The Bartholomew Bear is the perfect companion for your little ones. It is priced at HK$245.

• Jellycat Bashful Dino
  • For the ultimate dino-lovers! This dino will surely give your kids the best hugs at night with its soft, squishy features. It is priced at HK$325.

• Friends For Life Cuddle Koala
  • Its long, extended arms can give your tots soft hugs all throughout the night! It is priced at HK$79.50.

Mobiles

• Mamas & Papas Musical Mobile (Pictured)
  • Inspired by a cloud full of dreams and creating the perfect ambiance for your baby, its relaxing lullabies will help soothe your baby to sleep. It is priced at HK$390, you can choose to have it delivered or picked up from its given locations.

• Dream Time Soothing Light Up Mobile
  • This mobile Playgro offers soft glowing lights that change colors, creating a soothing visual environment for your baby. It has 30 minutes of gentle music to help relax and encourage a good night's rest. It is priced at HK$359.10.

• Rainbow Sky Bed Arch
  • For newborns, it can be used as a cot arch to entertain and relax the baby in the crib which includes classic melodies. And for tots ages 6 months and up you can transform this as a bedside night light and remove the pendants. It is priced at HK$258.

Night Lights

• Bubble Toucan Night Light  (Pictured)
  • Its dimming button ensures easy brightness adjustments to suit your child's needs. Usage can last for about 7-24 hours, depending on the brightness level. It is priced at HK$224.

• Upplyst LED Wall Light
  • Its beautiful simple design brings in calmness to a child's bedroom. With its soft lighting, it will surely bring ultimate relaxation promoting a good night's rest for your little ones. It is priced at HK$179.90, available for pick up or delivery.

• KORNSNÖ Portable Night Light
  • You can bring this amazing item everywhere you go! From travel to sleepovers, it is reasonably priced, sized, and battery-operated. It is priced at HK$54.90.

• Cloud B Nightlight
  • A starry nightlight plus fur plushie toy in one! This toy helps ease children’s fear of the dark by projecting a starry night sky onto ceilings and walls, its comforting colors will mesmerize your tots and will help them feel more calm allowing them to fall asleep faster. It is priced at HK$228.

Soothing Sound Devices

• Soothe N Snuggle Otter (Pictured)
  • It is a unique plush soother that helps comfort your baby just like you do. Its soft belly moves up and down in a rhythmic motion that mimics your breathing to help soothe your baby naturally, along with up to 30 minutes of calming music, sound effects, and soft lights. This sweet soother can become part of your baby's bedtime routine, helping them develop healthy sleep habits. You can check this out at Toys R Us, and have it delivered or collected from its multiple branches. It is priced at HK$499.90.

• Sweet Dreamz On The Go - Owl
  • An all-in-one baby soother to calm fussy and tired babies. Each adorable soother comes equipped with a built-in nightlight along with calming sounds and melodies. It is priced at HK$228.

• Baby Bear
  • This triples as something cuddly that is also a projector toy with spectacular light effects AND it plays relaxing melodies. It plays about 30 minutes of Classical (Bach and Beethoven), Jazz, Soft Rock, Modern, New Age and Sounds of Nature melodies. It is priced at HK$428.

Taking A Bath

Studies show that after taking a warm bath, a baby's body temperature starts to cool, which can help your infant/toddler fall asleep more easily.

Some suggestions on what kind of bath toys your kids will love:

• Playgro Bath Duckie
  • The classic bath duckie every bath time needs!

• Top Tots Bath-Time Bubble Elephant (Pictured)
  • This adorable elephant starts to overflow with bubbles as soon as you place it in the tub.

• Splash About Pufferfish 
  • The sensory design and bright colors are perfect for little swimmers, who can grab, throw and chew these toys whilst in the water.