Young children sometimes have trouble falling asleep. There can be a number of reasons, but as a parent you simply want them to get a full night’s rest. To that end, we will look at some common sleep problems your child may be experiencing.
1. Restlessness. You put your child to bed and all he does is toss and turn. He may begin to sing to himself, count, talk or do a number of things. Some 30 minutes pass by and he still isn’t asleep. Chances are your child did not go through a wind down process to help him fall asleep. If he was stimulated just before he went to bed, it can take a long time for him to fall asleep. Change his routine so that he isn’t playing a game or watching a show that stimulates him.
2. Wakefulness. Perhaps your child falls asleep without a problem. Then, about an hour into his sleep, he suddenly wakes up. Worse, he is more wide awake than before. It can take hours to get him settled down again, something that will only drain you. One solution here is to change your child’s sleep time, by placing him in bed only when he is thoroughly warn out. Once he is out cold, he is not likely to awaken so readily again until morning.
3. Nightmares. All children have them — nightmares. These bad dreams suddenly wake the child up and before you know it she is screaming for her mommy and daddy. Bad dreams are typically a stage, but if they occur frequently and are persistent, then you need to evaluate a few things. Do not allow your child to watch the news or take in a show that is scary. She will internalize what she sees and it may come out at night. If the problem persists, take your child to her physician.
4. Bedwetting. At some point your child may begin to wet his bed, awakening him too. An occasional bedwetting is one thing, but if done regularly it can disturb his sleep. And yours too. Endeavor to ensure that your child uses the toilet before he gets in bed. He should also avoid drinking liquids within the hour leading up to his rest. You can allow him to get a sip of water, but consuming a full glass is simply an invitation to trouble.
5. Hunger. Your daughter is growing and eating more food than you thought possible for her age. Worse, she is now waking in the middle of the night and asks for food. She may want attention or she may actually be hungry. Evaluate the food that you are giving your child and adjust if needed. For some children, a snack before bed will tide them over. A serving of fruit is a healthful way to achieve this.
6. Snoring. Yes, little children may snore. Usually, that isn’t a problem, but it is a big deal if it messes with their sleep pattern. Here, you may want to supply a nasal spray before your child goes to bed. It may alleviate the problem. But, if the problem continues, then a trip to your physician may be in order.
Sleep Disorders
Could your child suffer from a sleep disorder? That’s quite possible, especially if you have carefully countered each problem with a solution. You won’t know this for sure unless you take your child to a physician for an evaluation. While there, you can explain to the doctor your findings and work toward a solution explains CPAPMan.com.
You should also know that it usually takes children 15 to 30 minutes to fall asleep. At the same time, they should wake up easily without your support. And being alert all day is a sign that your child is getting enough sleep. If anything is out of the ordinary, then see a doctor.
