As many parents know, sometimes even the smallest eczema flare up can prevent a child from getting a good night’s rest. Sleepless nights lead to moodiness and more eczema issues – and the cycle starts right there.

In a recent study published by the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (2010), it was found that eczema severity and sleep disturbance in children with eczema were found to be associated with reduced quality of life. Sleep disturbance has been rated as the second highest contributing factor to reduced quality of life in children with eczema after itching, while parents of eczema children report that lack of baby sleep is the most stressful aspect of care and describe sleep disturbance as the major impact on family quality of life.

Making sure that your child gets enough rest can help strengthen their immune system, provide time for the body to detoxify and fight immunity, and help with stress and anxiety. Today, we’re going to talk about some simple ways that you can help your child get to sleep fast for the whole night.

Sleep Is Essential

As mentioned above, sleep is an essential part of avoiding eczema flare ups and treating flare ups that are already happening. In order for the body to self-regulate and heal itself it needs to be given rest since many of these functions simply cannot happen when the body is at movement.

During sleep the body detoxifies and is given a chance to get rid of all the wastes and toxins that have built up over the day. This can directly influence how much inflammation is in the body, and it can help soothe the immune system and process triggers in ways other than a flare up or reaction.

Sleep also soothes the nerves and calms anxiety which can help strengthen the immune system and support better overall health and wellness in any child.

When sleep is missing, the immune system can become hypersensitive, over reactive, and overwhelmed with stress and strain.

Simple Ways To Get Great Rest

Here are some strategies you can try to help calm and comfort your little one so that they get the deep sleep they need every night…

Wet Wrapping

When itching and heat are issues, wet wrapping is a popular go-to solution that many parents love. Wet wrapping allows the skin to stay hydrated and cool all night so that the skin can heal while the itch is taken away.

If you've never wet wrapped before there click here to watch a great 'how to' video.

Aromatherapy

Many children respond well to various essential oils used in a diffuser or atomizer. Essential oils can help create changes in the brain which can lead to calmness and a sense of wellbeing. Make sure you only use oils that aren’t allergy triggers for your child.

Massage

Bodywork is a wonderful way to help relieve itching and pain, apply moisturizers, and soothe your child to sleep. A gentle massage with a story or soft music can help stop the itching cycle and give your child’s mind a chance to slow down enough to drift off to sleep.

Pre-Bed Soaks

A bath containing soothing oils can be a great way to cool and relax the body before bedtime, and also to burn off any excess energy. Baths are a great way to provide deep and lasting hydration to the skin and they can help stop itching and calm the mind for long enough to get your child to sleep. Follow up every bath with a moisturizer application to lock in the hydration and soothing.

Covering hands to minimize the itch-scratch-wake cycle

Products like Bamboo Bubby sleeping bags and ScratchMeNotflip mitten sleeves (for older kids up to 6 years of age) with enclosed sleeves to help minimize any damage rubbing and scratching can do during sleeptimes really help to break the itch-scratch-wake cycle and give your child a chance to learn how to sleep better. The other great things about these garments is that they quickly become a sleep queue and part of your child’s bedtime routine helping them to settle to sleep faster!

Do you have a favorite method to help gets your child to sleep?
Share it with us in the comments below!