Treating Sleep Problems In Children

Quality sleep can fill you with energy, and no one needs more energy than a child. Without adequate nocturnal rest, kids can exhibit behavioral problems, have trouble learning and experience health issues. Sleep problems in children are surprisingly common. In this article, we'll discuss sleep disorders found in children and how they can impact your child's development.

New parents are often very concerned about how much sleep their baby is getting. Newborn infants have irregular sleep cycles and sleep an average of 16 to 17 hours per day. However, they may only sleep 1 or 2 hours at a time.

As children get older, the total number of hours they need for sleep decreases. A pre-school child may still need to sleep 10 to 12 hours each day, whereas a school aged child sleeps about 10 hours each day. It is important to remember that each child's sleeping pattern will be different.

It is well known that a child who has a sleep problem will also develop behavioral and attention problems in school. A recent study reported that 37% of school aged children experience significant, nocturnal sleeping issues.

Problems may include a reluctance to go to sleep, disrupted sleep, nightmares and sleepwalking. In older children, bedwetting can also become a challenge. Sleep problems are also common in kids with ADHD. It is important to try and figure out if these issues, especially if your child has difficulty falling asleep, are a side effect of any ADHD medication he or she might be taking.

To avoid sleep problems in children, it is important that you help your child develop good sleeping habits at an early age. A regular routine will help them understand that it will soon be time to go to sleep.

Make sure there is a quiet period before bedtime and make it the same time every night. His or her sleep patterns will adjust accordingly. Allow your child to take a favorite teddy bear, toy, or special blanket to bed each night.

Such comforting objects often help children fall peacefully into a deep slumber. Try to avoid letting your child sleep with you. This will only make it harder for him to learn to settle himself and fall asleep when he is alone.

Sleep problems in children can be treated by visiting a doctor. In more serious cases, you can be referred to sleep disorder centers in your area. It's generally not a good idea to treat children with sleep medicine, but there are cognitive therapy techniques that can help your child sleep sounder and live healthier.