Health Tip: Easing Your Child's Bedtime Fears

Anxiety can interfere with your child's sleep, not to mention yours.

The Cleveland Clinic offers these suggestions to help:

• Talk to your child about his or her fears. Reassure the child that imaginary creatures are not real.
• Offer plenty of reassurance, but keep the child in his or her own bed.
• Use the daytime hours to boost your child's self-esteem, self-confidence and coping skills.
• Make sure the child's bedtime routine is relaxing, fun and happy, with nothing frightening or upsetting.
• Make sure your child has a nightlight, security items and anything else needed to feel safe.
• Reward your child for doing well and staying in bed.