Child Sleep Problems: What’s Normal and What is a Sleep Disorder?
“Sleep is absolutely necessary for optimal child development, especially in the first five years of life.”
As a society, we often overlook the importance of sleep; however, sleep impacts every aspect of our lives, including our physical health, mental health, and overall well-being. Unfortunately, children are often the most overlooked when it comes to sleep health, and many parents are unaware of the prevalence and impact of childhood sleep disorders.
The consequences of inadequate sleep on children can be severe. Children with sleep disorders are more likely to experience mood swings, irritability, and behavior problems. They may also struggle to pay attention in school and struggle academically. Additionally, sleep disorders can impact physical health, leading to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease later in life.
It is estimated that up to 50% of children experience some form of sleep disorder, yet only a small percentage receive proper diagnosis and treatment. What many parents don’t realize is that sleep disorders are treatable and can greatly improve a child's overall health and well-being.
Your child may be experiencing a sleep disorder if he/she:
refuses to go to bed when told
takes a long time to fall asleep
is unable to fall asleep without parent support (rocking, being fed, rubbing back, singing, etc.)
wakes up in the middle of the night and is unable to go back to sleep without parent help
goes to parent/sibling’s room in the middle of the night
wakes up extremely early and is unable to go back to sleep
difficulty staying away during the day
teenagers refusing to get out of bed on the weekends
snoring or heavy breathing
excessive tossing and turning or kicking in sleep
increased tantrums and fussiness during the day
unusual events during the night like nightmares or sleepwalking
Behavioral sleep disorder treatment is a highly effective approach for managing sleep problems in children. This treatment involves a range of strategies that aim to modify children's behaviors and sleep habits to improve their sleep quality. Some common techniques used in behavioral sleep disorder treatment include establishing a regular sleep schedule, limiting caffeine intake, creating a relaxing sleep environment, and implementing a consistent pre-sleep routine. Additionally, parents learn strategies to help their child practice relaxation and calming techniques, and to learn how to manage behaviors that interfere with sleep. Overall, behavioral sleep disorder treatment can help children get the restful sleep they need to thrive in their daily activities.
A comprehensive behavioral evaluation can determine if daytime problems are due to a sleep disorder. Behavioral treatment for sleep disorders are very effective. It’s important to consider medical sleep disorders before attempting behavioral intervention. If your child snores or is a heavy breather at night, consider a sleep study to rule out medical sleep problems.
Have a question about your child’s sleep? Send us a message. You can also check out our psychologist’s top book recommendations for additional information.