3 Min Read
Back to School Sleep Reset: In Conversation with Claire Fair, Founder and Certified Holistic Sleep Coach
A big welcome to Claire, founder of The Gentle Sleep Coach and a proud mum of three! We're so grateful for her insights on the importance of sleep for little ones and tips on transitioning from summer sleep habits as the new school year begins. Let’s dive into our conversation.
Tell us a little about yourself and your business The Gentle Sleep Coach?
I'm Claire, a mum to three wonderful and busy little people living on the NSW South Coast. And married to my high school sweetheart Josh. The Gentle Sleep Coach started as a passion project, after a disastrous attempt at sleep training my first highly sensitive baby. I knew there had to be a better way, so I dove into study and shared my journey along the way. Fast forward four years and here we are, supporting families to get better sleep without compromising on responsiveness.
How essential is quality sleep for little minds and growing bodies? And how does sleep (or lack of sleep) impact kids daily?
Sleep quality is so important! And quality does not equal sleeping through the night. In fact, we know that it's normal for our kiddos to wake for a number of reasons - comfort, connection, a sip of water or a bad dream for example. You can also have a child who sleeps a lot, but without good quality sleep. Sleep quality plays a key role in brain development, emotional regulation, immune function and overall well-being. And one of the big things that can impact sleep quality is nutrient deficiencies - Iron, Zinc, Vitamin D and Magnesium to name a few!
After the fun of summer holidays, it can be hard to re-establish a regular sleep routine. Can you share how you would approach getting back on track for kids returning to school?
How fun are the summer holidays?! However, it’s normal for bedtime to get a little wonky and with it can come some lovely sleep-ins! Here are some first steps to getting sleep back on track:
- Having a consistent start time in the morning, reflective of your child's sleep needs. Gradually adjusting their wake-up time a week or two before school starts can make the transition smoother.
- Lots and lots of sunlight exposure and time outside during the day. Natural sunlight plays a key role in regulating our internal body clocks and can help to reinforce a healthy sleep-wake cycle.
- Supporting good sleep hygiene by darkening the house and turning off screens in the lead up to bedtime. It’s so important to create an environment that signals to the body that it’s time to wind down.
- Creating a great bedtime routine - yes, even our older kiddos benefit from a consistent bedtime routine. Having a set sequence of calming activities before bed, such as reading a book, taking a warm bath or practicing deep breathing can help your little one relax before lights out.
What is your must-have Salt Lab product to support your family in getting better sleep?
I'm a huge fan of the Kids Magnesium Oil Spray! Not only is this a fantastic addition to the bedtime routine, but if your kids are like mine, the fussy eating can be hard to ensure they are getting the nutrients needed for growing bodies. Supporting optimal magnesium levels can support relaxation before bedtime. Sleep is an activity of our parasympathetic nervous system, so helping our kiddos be at a calm baseline is key in helping sleep to unfold.
Do you have any self-care rituals that you do to prepare for a good night's sleep?
I love having a herbal tea, while reading my Kindle for 30 minutes. Then it’s lights out, crashing into bed at 8pm!
Learn more about Claire at:
I: @thegentlesleepcoach.
