Common Sleep Problems in Younger Children

Most parents are aware of the importance of sleep for their child, but are not always clear about how much sleep is enough. They are also often confronted with common sleep problems which they may not be aware are not normal and need to be dealt with, or they know there is a problem but are not sure what to do.

How Much Sleep Does a Child Need?

A school-aged child generally needs ten to eleven hours per night. However, as they get older, get more homework, and engage in more recreational activities, their sleep can start to suffer.

Even mild sleep deprivation and disruption of sleep can cause serious issues. Studies have shown that those countries which practice daylight savings time note more accidents during the dates when the clocks change, especially when the clocks are set forward one hour and people therefore lose an hour of sleep.

A lack of sleep can cause:

* Accidents and injuries

* Behavioral problems

* Mood disorders, such as stress, irritability, depression and anxiety

* Memory, concentration, and learning problems, often described as a “brain fog”

* Slower reaction times, such as when playing sports, or when adults are driving

* Overeating and binge eating

* Gaining weight, mainly due to the lack of sleep affecting the hormones that impact metabolism and weight loss

If your child is showing any of these symptoms, it might be time to tighten up on your daily and nightly routines.

Other Issues to Watch Out For

Sometimes underlying health issues can result in sleep disorders. If you have noticed any of these in your child, it might be time to follow up with a pediatrician:

* Snoring

* Breathing pauses during sleep, gasping sounds or wheezing sounds

* Trouble falling asleep, even though you know they have been up for hours and have to be tired

* Problems with sleeping all the way through the night

* Trouble staying awake during the day, nodding off a lot in the car and/or at home

* Unusual events during sleep, such as sleepwalking or nightmares

* Night terrors, a reluctance to go to bed

* Bedwetting, which can disturb sleep and be very upsetting

* Getting up in the night for various reasons, such as the toilet

Snoring and respiratory issues could be a sign of a more serious condition known as sleep apnea, in which the upper airway gets cut off and the person literally wakes up for microseconds at a time in order to gasp for breath. Over time this can lead to both seriously disrupted sleep and oxygen deprivation.

Mood disorders can usually be handled safely without medication. Stress relief techniques, meditation and visualization of a “happy place” can all help.

Nightmares can lead to night terrors, a fear of falling asleep. Parents being on the same page about regular bedtimes and what to do if a nightmare occurs can help. So too can limiting anything the child finds “scary”.

Practical Steps

1. Establish a regular time for bed each night, seven nights a week.

2. Establish a regular wake-up time seven days a week.

3. Organize a relaxing bedtime routine, such as bath, pajamas and a story, to signal the end of the day.

4. Do not allow electronics in any bedroom (including your own).

5. Limit liquids three hours before bedtime, and avoid stimulants like caffeine and chocolate.

Adjusting Your Expectations for Every Family Member

Of course, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting all of your children to do equally well in this world. It’s just another day in the life of a proud parent. Unfortunately, in the majority of families, not every child is created equal for one reason or another. Some children might even be dealing with a physical or mental disability, have a substance abuse problem or something else equally challenging.

That being said, it is possible to adjust your expectations for every family member in your household… even the adults. Other parents are successfully achieving this feat. Read on to learn more.

Defining Your Children

When defining your children, it’s extremely important not to compare one child against another. It’s also vital that you don’t try to fit them into a mold. Every child on this planet is different. No two kids will ever be exactly alike when it comes to things like thoughts and achievements.

Take the time necessary to really think about each of your children. Forget what their friends are doing, forget what you’ve heard online or on TV, and forget about what your spouse or partner says about them.

Ask yourself:

• What are my child’s needs?
• What is my child’s basic temperament?
• Where is my child in regard to development?
• What are my child’s accomplishments?

Once you have answers to these questions, you can start to zero in on your possible expectations.

Discovering Uneven Development

Every child develops a different rate. So, don’t automatically panic when you think one of your children is a bit behind his or her peers. In the vast majority of cases, these kids catch up eventually. It just takes a little more time.

At this point, you might want to schedule a meeting with each of your child’s teachers. Ask if there’s anything you can do to help your child with any delays he or she might be experiencing.

Adjusting to Different Levels

Assessing each of your children’s “reasonable behavior” also means taking his or her capabilities into account. For example, if one of your children happens to be afraid of heights, you may want to drive to your next vacation destination instead of flying. Don’t just automatically expect that child to get on an airplane and tolerate a long flight with no problem at all.

Always be tolerant of other people’s views when adjusting your expectations of family members. It’s not uncommon for your child’s other parent or adult relative to question your expectations.

If you disagree, sit down with that person and ask them why they feel as they do. Many times in situations like this, coming to an agreement is easier than you think.

From reading this, is it time to adjust your expectations for your family members? If so, there’s no better time to get started. The adjustment typically takes some time, so don’t expect it to happen overnight. But, with due diligence, you’ll accomplish the task before you know it.