sleep

The Sleep Charity and Premier Inn share expert tips to help children sleep easily in unfamiliar environments this half term, keeping their bedtime routines smooth while away from home.

It can be tricky to get your little ones off to sleep when they’re away from home. Staying over in a new environment is exciting, but it’s also a change from their nightly routine, and that can make it difficult for them to drift off. So, we decided to ask the experts!

Here, The Sleep Charity – in partnership with Premier Inn – have given some top bedtime tips to help kids nod off in no time, wherever they are. As a charity that works extensively with families, they know the importance of a great night’s sleep.

Favourite teddy: Kids will always want something familiar in a new environment, so be sure to pack their favourite toy or blanket to help them feel comfortable and at home.

Bedtime routine: Although you won’t be able to do everything like you would at home, try to include an element of your usual routine, such as reading a bedtime story.

Colouring in: Fine motor skill activities help kids relax, so take advantage of the colouring packs in hotel restaurants like to get a head-start on bedtime!

No TV: Screens interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone that makes us sleepy. Switching off the TV an hour before bedtime can really help little ones nod off.

Bath time: A warm bath 30 minutes before bedtime can be very effective in helping kids wind down and getting them off to sleep.

Repetition: Staying away from home is exciting for kids, so you’ll need to be clear and firm with them when it’s time for bed. Try a calming phrase like ‘It’s night-time, go to sleep’ and repeat it.

Dim the lights: Switch off a few lights and make use of the Premier Inn blackout curtains to help with that all-important melatonin production.

Mealtimes: Plan your dinner time! Try not to eat so early that the kids are hungry by bedtime or so late that they’re uncomfortably full.

Avoid stimulants: Caffeine and sugar play havoc with sleep so in the evenings, try to steer little ones away from sugary desserts and opt for fruit and water instead.

*From breakfast to dinner, kids eat free at Premier Inn this autumn with a paying adult. Choose from over 600 hotel locations across the UK. Little ones can enjoy delicious and nutritious dishes like our 10-Veg Tomato Pasta and Oven Baked Poppin’ Chicken – and sweet treats like a Fresh Fruit Salad, Pancakes and more.

Valid at selected Premier Inn restaurants until 1st November, for participating restaurants see HERE

Big Brother newcomer Catrin was at the centre of an explosive argument in the latest episode of the ITV2 show

A Big Brother housemate has been forced to sleep away from her co-stars after tensions reached boiling point.

The ITV2 reality competition returned to screens tonight (October 6) and saw the contestants enduring yet another day in the House of Revelations. The new theme is all about exposing the housemates’ real opinions about one another, which means they were forced to nominate face-to-face.

In the end Pauline received five nominations from Lynx, Philip, Rhianna, Rochelle and Catrin. While Rob received six nominations from Frankie, Lynx, Omar, Philip, Rhianna and Yasmin. The duo will go head-to-head in this Friday’s live eviction.

The nominations naturally left tensions high in the house, but it was newcomer Catrin’s choice to put Pauline up for elimination that caused a huge housemate clash, which led to Big Brother asking Pauline to sleep in the Snug instead of the Bedroom.

It started when Catrin approached Pauline because she “felt bad” about the nomination but Pauline walked away from her. But the conversation returned before bed time when Catrin decided to point out that Pauline has been ignoring her ever since the nomination.

The 23-year-old said: “I’m not invisible”. This only sparked an argument between the pair as Pauline explained that she is upset about being placed for eviction for the third time, not necessarily about Catrin’s vote. It later spiralled out of control when Pauline, Harry and Rob were caught having a private chat in the bathroom.

Referencing her spat with Catrin, Pauline said: “Is this place empty? Is it just us? What the f*** was that? Like don’t start on me, you literally just got here.”

She went on to fume: “I don’t even owe you a hello at this point. ‘Pauline, give me attention. It’s about me.’ It’s not about you, babe, you just got here. Like, you ain’t gonna get your moment girl.

“Go look for it elsewhere, you ain’t gonna find it here. That was so ridiculous. Is it really that deep that you just came… tried to come for me? Like, you look stupid, seriously, like you were looking for a moment.”

But she didn’t realise that Catrin was also in the bathroom listening to the entire conversation. An emotional Catrin then came out of the toilet and said: “Sorry, I just wanna say I’m in the toilet the entire time and I can hear the conversation, so, I can hear everything.”

Pauline replied: “Cause you really tried to make that moment about you and I wouldn’t go for it… it’s not about you. This week is not about you.” Catrin was left in tears as she argued: “Nothing is about me and I’m not trying to say that.”

“Oh my gosh. I can’t. No seriously, I can’t. And now she’s in tears and ‘I’m the bad guy, I’m the villain’. Like what the f***,” Pauline fumed as the new housemate stormed off in tears.

Upset by the conversion she overheard between Pauline and Rob, Catrin joined the other housemates in the bedroom seeking their comfort. Another argument soon erupted as Rochelle decided to defend the teaching assistant, telling Pauline to “pick on someone your own size”.

Big Brother ultimately had no choice but to separate Pauline, Catrin and Rochelle for the night.

Big Brother continues tomorrow night at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX