What Parents Need to Know About Sleep in Children
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Half of all children have sleep issues at some point during childhood.
When a child does not sleep well, the entire family feels the impact. Sleep supports growth and development and prevents other illnesses. Poor sleep can lead to daytime irritability, trouble focusing, behavioral issues, and learning difficulties. Poor sleep is also associated with long-term problems, such as obesity, breathing problems, and heart problems.
Childhood sleep problems fall into 4 main categories. The most common is behavioral insomnia. This happens when a child has trouble falling or staying asleep, often because they need a specific habit or aid (like rocking or feeding) to settle. Without this help, they struggle to soothe themselves to sleep.
A second category is parasomnias, which are sleep disturbances like night terrors, sleepwalking, and teeth grinding. Night terrors are sudden episodes in which a child screams or appears panicked early in the night. While frightening to witness, the child is unaware of the episode and will have no memory of it. These are usually harmless and temporary.
A third category is bed-wetting, which is also common up to around age 7 years and is usually normal. If it continues regularly after that, discuss with a health care professional to rule out underlying issues or find strategies to help.
Sleep apnea is the final category and is a more serious condition involving repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea can be caused by enlarged tonsils or excess weight. Children may snore loudly, gasp, or appear restless at night. This disrupted sleep can affect their mood, behavior, and ability to learn. Some children may need overnight sleep studies to diagnose sleep apnea and provide interventions to decrease lifetime illness.
Speak to your child’s pediatrician if you have concerns. Note if your child snores loudly 3 or more nights per week, especially if they gasp or choke during sleep. Excessive daytime sleepiness, frequent headaches or stomachaches, or sleep consistently lasting less than the recommended amount (less than 9 hours for school-aged children) are also signs that your child may have a more serious sleep condition.
All sleep problems need attention. The best way to support better sleep is to create consistent routines that support sleep, known as good sleep hygiene. Keep the same bedtime and waking time every day, including weekends. Establish a calm wind-down routine (like a bath or quiet reading) for 20 to 45 minutes before bed. Turn off all screens and end exciting activities at least 1 hour before bedtime, and make sure the bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet without televisions and screens. Pay attention to both nighttime signs (like snoring or waking) and daytime behaviors (like crankiness, trouble concentrating, or hyperactivity). For children who have trouble falling asleep on their own, put them to bed when they are drowsy but still awake so they learn how to independently fall asleep. They will need this skill every time they wake up in the middle of the night, which could happen 2 to 3 times. With consistency, many sleep issues improve, helping your child rest well at night and feel their best during the day.
