Children And Sleep Problems

Ask any parent..... children and sleep problems just seem to go together!

Whether it's a baby who can't sleep, dealing with toddler bedtime tantrums, or a teenager who won't go to bed, most of us struggle with this issue at one time or another.

But, did you know that children can suffer from several recognized sleep disorders? Conditions such as insomnia or sleep apnea aren't just for adults.

Then there are specific disorders such as bedwetting, night terrors, sleepwalking (and sleeptalking) and so on, that are most often seen in children.

Children and sleep problems - where to begin?

As she gets older, your baby will sleep less at night, and cut down on the daytime naps too. 10 - 11 hours at night, and one (possibly two) naps during the day. Grade schoolers often need 11 - 12 hours a night, reducing to an optimum of 9 hours 45 mins during the teenage years.

Children with sleep problems may have difficulty falling asleep, or they may wake several times during the night for no apparent reason. For others, night terrors, nightmares, or bedwetting can disrupt their sleep.

Anxiety, ADHD, allergies, asthma, too much caffeine or the side effects of medication (to name just a few) can also cause sleep problems in chidren.

'Tweens' and teens often prefer to spend their evening hours online, playing video games or talking with their friends. Sleep is seen as 'negotiable', rather the an essential part of their life. That's not necessarily surprising, but it's definitely not healthy and many teens and pre-teens are stressed, perform poorly at school and experience all sorts of sleep-deprivation symptoms.

Check out this set of sleep tips for teens written by a teenager who wanted to show how insomnia has affected them and to share some hard-earned advice! Sleep For Teens

At what cost too little sleep?

Research undertaken by the Harvard Medical School, found that young children who consistently slept for less than 12 hours a day during their first two years, doubled their risk of being overweight by 3 years of age.

(Want to know more? Get information on the link between sleep and weight gain here)

Another study done by researchers from the University of London, found that children with sleep problems were more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression, or to exhibit aggressive behavior.

Children and teens who suffer from sleep problems are at risk of poor academic performance, discipline problems, emotional/relationship difficulties, accidental injuries, automobile accidents and more.

So, you can see how it's very important to help your children learn good sleep habits right from the beginning.

Start the way you mean to go on!

Simple steps such as setting up a regular and calming bedtime routine, avoiding sugary foods/drinks (or those with caffeine) during the evening, and making sure they get enough exercise during the day can all make a difference in how well they sleep.

If good sleep habits are encouraged early on, it can help you reduce the chances of having children with sleep problems later.

Obviously as your child matures and becomes a teenager, your 'control' over bed/sleep habits becomes considerably less (ever tried to MAKE a 15 year old go to bed?).

However, teens whose bodies have become accustomed to a regular routine and good sleep habits are likely to sleep better overall.

Although, good sleep hygiene (sleep habits) can go a long way towards helping prevent/minimize sleep problems in children, conditions such as childhood insomnia, pediatric sleep apnea, night terrors, bedwetting and so on need specialized help.

For children with sleep problems who are experiencing these sleep disorders or parasomnias, the correct diagnosis and treatment is essential.

If you think your child is suffering from lack of sleep, pay a visit to your family doctor/pediatrician, he/she will be able to help you and your child find their way back to a better nights' sleep.

You can also learn more about pediatric sleep disorders here

Page/Article Links: