The Dreamtime Blog
Bedtime story ideas
& sleep tips for parents
Better bedtimes, happier mornings.
Practical guides on bedtime routines, storytelling, and raising well-rested children.
Why Your Child Can't Switch Off at Bedtime (And What to Do About It)
Does your child suddenly become the world's most talkative, energetic, or anxious person the moment the lights go out? You're not imagining it — and you're definitely not alone. Here's what's really going on in their brain at bedtime, and how to help them wind down gently.
Why Siblings Fight at Bedtime (And How to Make Storytime Work for Both)
Bedtime with two or more children can feel like herding cats — especially when they can't agree on a story. Here's why sibling conflict spikes at night, and how to create a storytime routine that genuinely works for everyone.
How Bedtime Stories Help Children Process Fear (And Which Kinds Work Best)
Many children experience fears — of the dark, of monsters, of being alone — that peak at bedtime. Discover how the right kind of story can gently help your child understand and overcome those fears, and what to look for when choosing one.
Why Your Child's Imagination Explodes at Bedtime (And How to Use It)
Ever noticed how your child suddenly wants to talk about dragons, invent wild stories, or ask enormous questions the moment the lights go down? There's real science behind the bedtime imagination surge — and smart ways to harness it for better sleep and richer development.
The bedtime friends your child grows attached to can come back
The characters your child loves now return night after night — with a new place to meet the whole cast they've collected.
Why does my baby hiccup in the womb?
Those little rhythmic flutters are usually a normal, healthy part of your baby's development. What fetal hiccups are — and when to mention them.
Start the bedtime story habit before your baby is born
From around the middle of pregnancy, your baby can hear your voice. Dreamtime now writes gentle, read-aloud stories for your bump — so the nightly ritual can begin early.
A quick thumbs-up at bedtime now shapes tomorrow's story
Tell us how last night's story went with a single tap, and we'll steer tomorrow's a little closer to what your family loves.
Why Bedtime Resistance Happens (And the Simple Routine Fixes That Actually Work)
If your child fights bedtime every single night, you're not doing it wrong — their brain is. Understanding why children resist sleep is the first step to fixing it, and the solutions are simpler than you might think.
Why Children Who Are Read to Every Night Sleep Better (And the Science Behind It)
It turns out the humble bedtime story is doing a lot more than filling time before lights-out. Research shows that children who are read to regularly fall asleep faster, sleep more deeply, and wake less often in the night. Here's why — and how to make it work in your home.
Talking and singing to your baby before birth
Reading isn't the only way to give your baby your voice. Simple, low-pressure ways to talk and sing to your bump during pregnancy.
Why Your Child's Favourite Stories Are Always the Same Ones (And What to Do About It)
If your child has demanded the same book seventeen nights in a row, you're not alone. There's a fascinating developmental reason behind story repetition — and smart ways to honour it while gently expanding their world.