Sleep Problems In Children - Addressing A Serious Issue
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Sleep problems in children are often very different from the sleep disorders that plague adults. Studies have shown that kids who don’t get enough sleep at night will often doze-off in class, won’t have the energy to exercise and will experience feelings of depression. Nightmares, bedwetting and sleepwalking are common symptoms of a sleep disorder, so parents should know how to tackle these issues. If you’re concerned about your children’s sleeping habits, then we’ve got some valuable advice on getting them into a sleep schedule that will improve their quality of life.
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.
Sleep problems in children can no doubt be thwarted if a regular sleep schedule is followed to ensure that your child gets enough rest. Start by establishing a quiet time before bed. This is a good time to take a bath and read a story. By winding down, your child will be able to fall asleep quicker. Once the body adjusts to a set schedule, he or she is more likely to be sleepy at the same time every night. If your child suffers from night terrors or nightmares, then make him more comfortable by turning on a night light in the room and allowing him to sleep with a favorite toy. Physical comfort, such as a firm sleep foundation is also key to a good night of sleep, as well as roomy and cozy pajamas.
Sleep problems in children can be a learned behavior. If you have a family of night owls, then there might be a connection to your child’s bad sleeping habits. If you’re really concerned, then visit a sleep disorder center - especially if you suspect that depression or other anxiety disorders may be behind your child’s sleepless nights. It’s important to remember that different people need different amounts of sleep at different ages. If your child is not tired during the day, then don’t worry! Sometimes a simple bout of insomnia is nothing to lose sleep over.
Sleep disorders are deadly. Sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome and even sleep walking are various causes why many individuals continuously feel sleepy throughout the day regardless when they have fell asleep the night before. The difficulty is that they are not able to get the quality of sleep their bodies demand in order to function. Snoring might be the butt of numerous jokes yet it is serious. If you are afflicted from sleep quality restless or poor sleep quality you need to click here for more information:
Treatment Of Insomnia similarly Depression And Insomnia and certainly try Pregnancy And Insomnia
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