Is it okay to let my toddler watch videos to wind down before bedtime?
You’re not alone in thinking television or videos in the evening will help calm children down and get them sleepy and ready for bed. But this information is false.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, the use of screens and electronic devices within one hour of bedtime is harmful to the sleep-onset process because the artificial light (often called blue light) can suppress our body’s natural release of melatonin, the hormone that helps signal our body to fall asleep.
And by the way, this is true for parents, too. Good sleep hygiene is important for the whole family, not just the children. That iPad or cell phone scrolling before bed is way too stimulating, with the light affecting your release of melatonin. Try reading a book or taking a warm bath before turning out the lights instead.
Though a short, calm video early in the evening may be fine for a two-year-old, implement a nice bedtime routine that includes books or songs, storytelling before bed, and lots of cuddles and snuggles.
