5 Common Sleep Problems In Children And What You Can Do To Solve Them
Whether it's nightmares or difficulty falling asleep, here are ways to cope with it
We know that sleep is essential regardless of your age. For children, sleep helps with their growth and development. Unfortunately, the nighttime event can be a real fiasco as your child can be afflicted with anything from nightmares to insomnia. Here, we've rounded up five common sleep problems in children and what you can do to solve them.
What happens: Your child creates a fuss when it’s time for bed. They always want to finish another game before starting their bedtime routine. If you rush them, they burst out crying.
What to do: Since you know they are busy in the run-up to bedtime, give them plenty of advanced warning. For instance, you can say, “You’ll have to tidy up in 10 minutes,” then give further warnings five minutes later, and then when there is only one minute to go. Encourage your child to start tidying up after the second warning. Be prepared to speak firmly.
What happens: Although going to bed at the usual time, your child reappears later on, telling you that they can’t sleep. Or they may call out to you that they are still awake. They might even come out of their bedroom.
What to do: They are probably one of those children who need to unwind at the end of the day before trying to sleep. They may find it helpful to have a story read to them while they lie in bed or perhaps to listen to music. Soothing activities like these help settle them. It’s important for them to remain in their bedroom even though they are not yet asleep.
What happens: Your child refuses to let you put the bedroom light out and starts to cry when you try to switch it off. You may also hear them get out of bed to click the light back on again after you put it out.
What to do: There are several alternatives. First, you can fit a dimmer switch to their bedroom light, enabling you to gradually darken their room a little bit more each night. Second, you can have a nightlight to give off a small amount of illumination all the time. Or you could sit with your child until they fall asleep – though that could turn into a habit.
What happens: You are fast asleep in the middle of the night, when you suddenly realise your little one is at your bedside, wide awake. They tell you that they can’t get back to sleep and they want to lie with you.
What to do: Take them back to bed, give them a quick cuddle and then leave the room. Resist any temptation to give them food and drink; definitely don’t play a game with them. Your basic strategy should be to reassure your child and return them to their own bed while making it clear that this is not a time for fun and games. Do this every time they wake during the night.
What happens: You hear your young child shouting and crying, but when you enter their room, you see them is fast asleep. The nightmare distresses them and they might even leave the bed and move about the room with their eyes open.
What to do: Stay calm, no matter how upset you feel. Speak slowly and calmly to your child and do what you can to soothe them. Do not try to wake them in the hope of stirring them out of the bad dream. In most instances, the nightmare passes without the child ever waking. If they do get out of bed while still sleeping, gently and quietly steer them back to bed.
This story first appeared in Young Parents.