What’s inside this article: A possible sleep hack to help your child sleep through the night by using this adorable dog toy.
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Having a child who has trouble falling asleep, or wakes up multiple times through the night, can be draining.
You might feel like you can’t remember the last time you had a full nights sleep. And that takes a toll on your wellbeing.
Not getting enough sleep, or having interrupted sleep impacts your child’s wellbeing too.
Why Your Child’s Sleep Is So Important
Our bodies need sleep to function efficiently. The amount of sleep you get affects stress hormones, growth hormones, appetite, blood pressure, breathing, and cardiovascular health. (Source)
Inadequate sleep impacts:
- Learning
- Attention
- Behavior
- Self-Regulation
- Mental Health
Helping Your Child Sleep
Do you feel like you’ve tried everything to help your child sleep?
If you do a Google search about getting your child to sleep through the night, the results turn up an array of possible solutions.
Anything from sleep training (which studies show can be harmful), to following specific bedtime routines, essential oils, magnesium supplements, and lots of other ideas in between.
Did you know the most prevalent form of disordered sleep in children is anxiety and resistance to bedtime?
Could This Cute Little Dog Toy Help My Child Sleep?
Well, it might!
Depending on what causes your kiddos sleep disturbances, this puppy toy may just solve all your problems.
What is it? Snuggle Puppies
What Are Snuggle Puppies?
Snuggle puppies are soft, plush, dog toys intended to recreate the experience of cuddling with mom & littermates, which reduces anxiety for puppys adjusting to their new homes.
They are super soft, and have a pulsing heartbeat inside them, along with a heating pad.
Adorable.
How Will A Snuggle Puppy Help My Child Sleep?
Well, if your child doesn’t like being alone and wakes up looking for you, wants you to sleep with them or wants to sleep in your bed, these may help ease their anxieties, make them feel more comfortable and improve sleep.
Just like the help puppies – they will provide warmth and the sound of a life-like heartbeat next to your child while they sleep – which will help them stay asleep.
My 4 year old slept all night in his own bed, three nights in a row, for literally the FIRST time ever. He’s never spent a whole night in his own bed before now.
Are They Machine Washable?
The heartbeat pack and heat pad are removable, so it’s safe to machine wash your snuggle puppy on a gentle cycle.
Where to Buy Replacement Heat Packs for Snuggle Puppies?
When you first purchase your snuggle puppy, two disposable heat pads are included. Each pad lasts 24 hours, so you will need to buy replacement heat packs.
You can purchase replacement heat packs on Amazon here.
You could also use a reusable heat pack.
Different Colors/Animals
Fortunately, there are a lot of different colors and animals available so you can get a snuggle puppy that matches your child’s preferences.
These two are part of the original Snuggle Puppy brand’s collection.
There are also Snuggle Kitties
Adorable little lambs.
Bears … and more.
Using A Dog Toy To Help Your Child Sleep
The idea of using a dog toy might seem a little weird to you.
But, if you’ve got a child who doesn’t sleep well, and this product works for them, then you should absolutely do it.
If it works, it works! That’s really all that matters.