Helping a Child who Cannot Sleep

Sleep problems in children are frequently very different from the sleep troubles that beset grownups. Studies have shown that minors who do not get adequate sleep at night will often doze off in class, will not have the energy to exercise and will experience feelings of depression. Nightmares, bedwetting together with sleepwalking are common symptoms of sleep problems in children, so parents should know how to deal with these issues. If you are concerned about your youngsters sleeping habits, then read on for some valuable advice on getting them into a sleep schedule that will improve their quality of life.

When they are first born, babies have irregular sleep patterns and may only sleep for a couple of hours at any one time. Nonetheless, over the period of 24 hours, they will average roughly sixteen hours total sleep time. Once they start getting older, the quantity of sleep young children need, will gradually decrease. While a pre school toddler might still need upwards of twelve hours sleep a day, once they begin school, that number will reduce to roughly ten hours. However, no two youngsters are the same and each will have their own particular sleep pattern.

Studies have suggested that, as many as thirty seven percent of all young children suffer some type of major sleep issues including disrupted sleep, nightmares, sleepwalking and unwillingness to go to bed.  Bedwetting is an additional problem in older kids. The culmination of these issues can be the trigger of attention and behaviour problems as well as attention deficit hyperactive disorder or ADHD in some school age youngsters. If your child has trouble getting off to sleep, it is important for you, as a parent, to figure out if the reason may be the result or side effect of any ADHD medication he or she may be taking.

Children can resist their bedtime for various reasons. Nevertheless, establishing consistent bedtime rituals can help to quash sleep problems in children. This can include bathing, cleaning teeth, story reading or saying prayers. This down time should be restful. If your child suffers from nightmares or night terrors, then lay down with them in their bed until they drift off. Do not take them to your own bed, because doing so will not encourage them to feel safe and cozy in their own bedroom. It also helps if you talk with your child about why sleep is important. Tell them that sleep will help them to have more energy to play and grow up strong. This gives them an inducement to sleep more.

Seeing a physician can treat sleep problems in children. In more serious cases, you can be referred to sleep disorder centers in your area. It is generally, not a good idea to treat children with sleep medication, but there are cognitive therapy techniques that can help your child sleep more soundly and live healthier.