Frequently Asked Questions
Research confirms the importance of a good night’s sleep for both children and parents. According to National Sleep Foundation, Toddlers (1–3yrs) need 12–14 hours of sleep in a 24 hr period and Preschoolers (3–5yrs) need 11–13hrs. The length and quality of sleep has a profound impact on a child’s physical and mental development. Other studies show that parents who get 7–8 hours of uninterrupted sleep perform better as parents and may actually experience improved mood, immunity and longevity.
With patience and perseverance, children learn when to stay in bed and when it’s ok for them to get up. This is huge! Now kids can get the sound healthy sleep they need for proper growth and development. Who else benefits? You guessed it. Parents can sleep through the night, which is essential for feeling good the next day, and for health in general.
Kids also gain feelings of accomplishment and the pride by learning something new. And if you have more than one child, the first one may set a great example for those who follow.
If you can set an alarm clock, you’re basically there. You simply set SleepBuddy™’s start times and durations for nap and nighttime, then let it do the rest for you. The times you set are stored in memory until you change them, and can easily be changed when needed.
The new SleepBuddy™ has a feature called “Nap Now” and “Night Now”. This allows you to quickly and easily begin a nap or start bedtime immediately, set the sleep duration, thus overriding your current settings for that sleep period only. The next day your settings will resume the regularly scheduled sleep times.
The new SleepBuddy™ has a second color option that we like to call “amber”. This color has been proven to enhance the falling asleep process and brings a calming ambiance to the room.
SleepBuddy™’s light has 7 levels of brightness, so we make it easy to find that perfect glow for every child.
The SleepBuddy™ method is not an overnight process. Keep in mind that every child is different. The time it takes SleepBuddy™ to work may vary. If you’re committed to being firm, consistent and positive, that can make a difference. So can other people who are using SleepBuddy™ successfully. You can talk with them and with us, the founders, at facebook: SleepBuddy.
Younger children will respond better to an immediate reward. So as soon as your child complies with one SleepBuddy™ session, give the reward! It can be a simple toy, a tasty treat, or a chance to play a favorite game. Do it right away to reinforce what your child just completed. SleepBuddy™ comes with a detailed Parent’s Guide that dives into using rewards effectively with gusto. You can also find more helpful ideas here. Join the conversation with other SleepBuddy™ at facebook: SleepBuddy.
Check out more ideas on the SleepBuddy™ Rewards page.
If your child has done well with the immediate rewards, you can use the Rewards Chart included in this package for further encouragement. After each night your child follows the SleepBuddy™ program, a sticker goes on the chart for that night. Once the stickers fill a whole week (or whatever time-frame you establish), give them a predetermined reward. More information can be found here.
Instead of just telling them about the trip they’ll take, or the cake they’ll get to bake, put a picture of the reward in the space that follows the week. Seeing is believing. Reinforcement helps. Go to facebook: SleepBuddy to find out what’s motivating other kids toward success, or find more information about rewards in the Parent’s Guide included with every SleepBuddy™.
Your child calls for you or gets out of bed. No worries. Here’s what to do. Go to your child and put him or her gently back in bed. Don’t show emotion or have a discussion. Just repeat the SleepBuddy™ Motto in a calm, but decisive voice. Remember, it’s important not to linger, but simply leave the child right away. Keep repeating this simple step no matter how many times it takes. It may take a few nights or a few naps before your child knows to stay in bed. If your child is still struggling, contact Laura for personal encouragement and support at www.healthyhappysleep.com!
We wish it were that easy. Our experience shows that kids need a safe, simple introduction to the idea of staying in bed. Then they need to learn the system, and they need reinforcement so their good habits stay with them. That’s why we developed our complete SleepBuddy™ system — because kids need a consistent, reliable routine and clear boundaries!
No need to go it alone. Go to facebook: SleepBuddy to connect with other parents. Whatever issues you’re facing, others have been there, too. Many have found success with SleepBuddy™ even with the most strong-willed children. We encourage you to reach out to others and find out what has worked for them.