If you find yourself having bedtime battles with your little one, you might want to think about adding some of these sleep inducing foods to your child’s diet:
Tryptophan –
With Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner it is perfect Turkey season…and Turkey contains Tryptophan which is an amino acid shown to promote drowsiness. Tryptophan is also contained in milk, cottage cheese, nuts and seeds, shellfish, beans and eggs. I personally give my children a small yoghurt every night before bed to promote drowsiness.
Melatonin and Serotonin –
Bananas are full of sleep inducing hormones and minerals. Melatonin and serotonin help calm you and regulate your sleep cycles. They also contain magnesium which acts as a muscle relaxant. Incidentally I always eat one after exercising for their muscle relaxant properties.
Chamomile –
Chamomile is a flower that has long been used in teas for its calming effects. To use it as a sleep aid for your child, make the tea and sweeten it with 1 teaspoon of honey (for children older than 12 months). Allow it to cool slightly and give it to your child as a drink 30 minutes or so before bedtime. This is a safe tea and very different to the teas marketed as ‘sleep aids’ which can contain herbs which might not be safe for children.
Caffeine –
Do not allow chocolate for 2 hours before bedtime as this contains caffeine and can interfere with sleep patterns.
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