Sleep Disorders in Children

When someone says to me “I slept like a baby”, I have a little chuckle and ask them if they woke up every hour on the hour. People tend to say this to illustrate a good nights sleep but there is nothing restful about ‘sleeping like a baby’.

Babies wake up multiple times in the night because they need to eat every few hours due to dramatic growth. It is a natural part of parenthood that parents are expecting. When this growth slows down some kids tend to sleep better and will sleep though the night.

This isn’t true for all children though. Some develop sleep disorders, a few of which can be quite scary to their parents. These can range from mild nighttime disruptions to down right dangerous behavior.

Interrupted sleep cycles are not only irritating they are not good for your child. Children need sleep to aid in proper growth both physically and mentally. When a child isn’t receiving proper amounts of sleep they can have weakened immune systems, which makes them more prone to illness. They may become moody and have difficulty concentrating.

Anxiety

This is probably the most common cause of sleep issues in children and adults alike. In the case of children it may simply be an issue of being afraid of the dark. Monsters and other creepy crawlers whipped up by your child’s imagination are just waiting to get them once the lights go out.

Most children at one point or another will be frightened of their darkened room and the scary secrets it may hold. Nightlights and thorough searches for hidden monsters may be in order. You may try discussing the issue during the daylight hours. There may be a specific reason they are afraid and you can do your best to correct it.

Anxiety may also result from recent changes in the household such as divorce, the addition of a sibling or a move to a new home. Take extra care to have a bedtime routine that is quiet and calm. Allow your child to voice their fears but keep a firm grip on the situation.