Sleepy’s, The Mattress Store, with Hints on Back to School Sleep Habits!

I was invited to an event at the local Sleepy’s store in Manhattan to discuss back to school sleeping habits. It seems like we have been discussing back to school since we ended school at the end of June, and yet here it is starting up again next week.

Michael Breus, PHD, author of the book, The Sleep Doctor’s Diet Plan (a book I desperately need to read!) was the speaker for the evening. He raised some very interesting points in relation to getting our kids back on a school sleep schedule as the Summer schedule is ending very soon. Stick to a routine, don’t excite your kids leading up to bedtime, and watch their diet before bed. All helpful things that I use as a goal but do not always achieve.

My original advice on how to put my son to sleep came from my sister-in-law who has 2 children older than my son. She said consistency was the key. Dr. Breus also stressed this. When people with children tell me what works, I listen. I have stuck to the same schedule throughout my son’s life. Bath, book, bed. Simple, and I stick to this consistently. And you know what? We have success! My son is a good sleeper and I am grateful for this advice. And now the sleep doctor confirms it!

Consistency is the key. It does not work over night, but it does work. You have to stick to your guns, and you have to stick to a schedule even when you want to deviate. Now that my son is 8 years old, we do not have to practice this consistency as religiously because the good sleep habits are in place. We are enjoying a Summer with a later sleep schedule, but I am fully confident that when the new school schedule starts up next week, we will have total success in moving back his schedule 1 hour. Except that I have just jinxed it!

I also want to share a fantastic tip, that is such common sense, that I never conceived of it. I heard it at the sleepinar (get it, sleep seminar?)!

If you, the adult, wake up at night for whatever reason, do not under any circumstances look at the clock! It will keep you adding and subtracting all night long. You risk constantly calculating when you have to get up, how much time you have left to sleep, and how much leeway you can give yourself. I used to do this on a regular basis. I now stop myself from looking at the clock, it does not help me to get back to sleep. Thank-you Dr. Breus!

In conclusion, I have shared sleep tips and a great deal if you look at the above current Sleepy’s promotion photo.

And as always, as your ultimate consumer, who has experience with almost every brand in America, my son’s bed is a trundle bed we purchased at Sleepy’s! (That automatically means I got a great deal, that’s how I shop.) We moved into our apartment 11 years ago, and all we knew back then is that we were planning to use the trundle for company as it is 2 beds in 1, and then our son was born! We then really needed it as our various babysitters (the in-laws) slept over to help and still use it to this day.

Disclosure: I received a gift bag for attending the event. All opinions are always 100% my own and honest. Good night!