We all know the feeling that we get when we haven’t had enough sleep the night before. A sore head, watery eyes and high levels of irritation are just some of the symptoms of lack of sleep. Mothers know this feeling all too well, and for many families, bedtime is World War 3. Sleeping problems in children are not uncommon, and many young one’s will fight to the bitter end to extend bed time for a few extra hours.. Many refuse to go to sleep and others wake constantly throughout the night. The question is, how a mother with serious sleep deprivation knows when her child has a genuine sleeping problem or when bedtime fights are merely a battle that must be won.
Sleep is a vital component for our mind, body and soul. Sleep nourishes and relaxes, and contributes to development and growth. One of the most important factors in avoiding sleeping problems with your child, as well as getting them to bed early enough for them to have a good night’s rest, is to maintain a regimented routine. Trying to maintain a pattern will aid in the reduction of sleep problems for your toddler or young child. Child experts suggest giving your child a soft toy or blanket that is only used for sleeping, so that they can associate this object with the act of sleep. Another suggestion that may help your child feel more relaxed is if they help you decorate their room. Let them chose a special children’s bed and the colour of the room if possible. If a children feel comfortable in their own room, it is more likely that he or she will stay in it.
In some cases, a sleeping disorder, such as childhood insomnia, lies behind your child’ sleeping problem. One must remember that children between the ages of 6 and 12 need 10 – 12 hours of sleep a night to function well during the day. It is not always appropriate to turn to medication as a solution, as there are a number of alternatives to help your child get some much needed sleep. One solution is to make sure that there is no TV watching or video games in bed as the bed itself must be restricted to only sleeping. Other solutions include teaching your child some relaxation techniques if they feel tense at bedtime, keeping a strict bedtime regime and making sure that they get regular exercise during the day.
Child sleeping problems can also be more deeply rooted than just an irregular sleep routine. Children may not want to fall asleep at night because they are being bullied at school or they could be depressed. Medical problems such as ADHD might also hinder a child’s sleeping patterns. If you feel that your child’s sleeping problems may be a result of these factors, then you should take them to see a medical professional. Getting enough sleep is vital as some medical studies have shown that children who do not get enough shuteye are more likely to develop anxiety and depression, as well as weight problems.
Getting your children to fall asleep peacefully and preventing them crawling into your Double bed or French bed in the middle of the night might seem like an impossible task for many. But sleeping problems do not mean the end of the world and can be corrected with something as simple as a change of routine. Try some of these suggestions and hopefully those sleepless nights will dissipate and eventually feel like nothing but a bad dream.