A child with a chronic health issue is subject to the same late night worries as mom and dad are, but they don't have the tools to express those worries like an adult does. To help you understand what a chronically ill
child may be experiencing, check out this guide.
Since toddlers can pick up on worries and tension from their parents, it is important to remember to not let a very young child know how concerned you are. Sleeplessness can be contagious if a child notices that a parent is always tense, so keep it light.
Since toddlers can worry about tests, doctor's visits, and trips to the hospital during the night, make sure you only tell the child what is necessary. For example, no matter how major tomorrows visit to the doctor may be, keep it simple; say something like, "Tomorrow we have to go see the doctor, but I know you'll be a brave girl." Focusing on the positives can also help.
Physical discomforts can also play a role in keeping the chronically ill child awake at night. Whether it is the itch of eczema, the wheeze of asthma or the inability to get comfortable because of cerebral palsy, discomfort can keep the youngest children from finding a peaceful position to sleep. Be available to do whatever you can to ease the pain or discomfort of illness or injury.
Remember that typical sleep solutions won't always work for the chronically ill child. If a toddler is experiencing impairments in language, thinking, or behavior, talk to the child's physician about how to handle sleeplessness.
Regardless of age or illness, keep in mind that young child are subject to the attitudes of their parents; if a child seems out of sorts, check your own anxiety levels...the child could simply be responding to you.
If your child has a developmental delay, make sure that you are using age appropriate tactics in order to foster healthy sleep patterns. For example, if your child's doctor informs you that your three year old has only developed as far as an unaffected 18 month old, use tricks to help an 18 month old sleep, rather than those old standards which you would use for a 3 year old who is developing in a typical way.
Since toddlers can pick up on worries and tension from their parents, it is important to remember to not let a very young child know how concerned you are. Sleeplessness can be contagious if a child notices that a parent is always tense, so keep it light.
Since toddlers can worry about tests, doctor's visits, and trips to the hospital during the night, make sure you only tell the child what is necessary. For example, no matter how major tomorrows visit to the doctor may be, keep it simple; say something like, "Tomorrow we have to go see the doctor, but I know you'll be a brave girl." Focusing on the positives can also help.
Physical discomforts can also play a role in keeping the chronically ill child awake at night. Whether it is the itch of eczema, the wheeze of asthma or the inability to get comfortable because of cerebral palsy, discomfort can keep the youngest children from finding a peaceful position to sleep. Be available to do whatever you can to ease the pain or discomfort of illness or injury.
Remember that typical sleep solutions won't always work for the chronically ill child. If a toddler is experiencing impairments in language, thinking, or behavior, talk to the child's physician about how to handle sleeplessness.
Regardless of age or illness, keep in mind that young child are subject to the attitudes of their parents; if a child seems out of sorts, check your own anxiety levels...the child could simply be responding to you.
If your child has a developmental delay, make sure that you are using age appropriate tactics in order to foster healthy sleep patterns. For example, if your child's doctor informs you that your three year old has only developed as far as an unaffected 18 month old, use tricks to help an 18 month old sleep, rather than those old standards which you would use for a 3 year old who is developing in a typical way.
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