Sleeping outside

Sleeping outside

Description:

  • Have you ever offered your child the choice to sleep outdoors? Outdoor sleeping is becoming increasingly popular in Australia and has many benefits to children’s health, wellbeing and development, including;
  • Developing a healthy sleep routine. Children sleeping outside have been shown to have longer and deeper sleeps.
  • More flexible sleep. Children sleeping outside tend to be more flexible about where they sleep and experience less sleep-related issues as adults.
  • Better immune system. By sleeping outside, children are exposed to oxygen-rich air that helps their immune system create antibodies that fight off infection and reduces illness.
  • Improved cognitive and physical development. Sleeping outside encourages children to be more engaged in nature and outdoor play and increase brain activity.
  • Outdoor naps provide children with the vitamin D they need to strengthen bones and muscles.
  • Reducing stress. Sleeping outside, lulled by the surrounding sounds, has a stress reductive effect.

Remember to:

  • Follow sleep safety guidelines from Red Nose Australia
  • Make sure the weather conditions are safe for sleep
  • Ensure your child is appropriately dressed
  • Position your child in the shade on sunny days and follow sun safe practices when UV is 3+
  • Ensure the surrounding environment is safe before your child goes for a sleep.
  • Never leave your child unsupervised whilst sleeping

To learn more about the benefits of outdoor sleeping, visit the links below;

https://www.insider.com/nordic-parents-nap-babies-subzero-temperatures-sleep-better-2020-1 

The babies who nap in sub-zero temperatures – BBC News 

https://www.playgroundprofessionals.com/play/health-and-safety/5-benefits-outdoor-napping-babies 

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