How often should you check on sleeping children?

Checking on sleeping children regularly but quietly, as needed, is vital for ensuring their safety and comfort while minimizing disturbances to their sleep. Children may awaken easily, and interrupting their sleep cycle can lead to crankiness or difficulty falling back asleep. By periodically checking on them in a silent manner, the babysitter can monitor their well-being without causing alarms or disruptions.

This approach also allows the caregiver to respond promptly if any issues arise, such as a child waking up scared or needing to use the restroom. It's a balance between keeping an eye on the children and respecting their need for sleep, which is crucial for their growth and development. In contrast, set intervals like every 30 minutes or every hour can be too structured, potentially leading to unnecessary disturbances. Checking only once before bed leaves too long a gap for monitoring and could miss any needs that arise during the night.