How to Manage Sleep Disorders in kids
Sleep disorder is one of the most common problem in toddlers. There can be many reasons for sleep disorder for e.g. kid might be suffering from teething (product), or an ear infection and sometimes it can be related to fear of darkness or of being alone.
Children need at least nine hours of sound sleep and lacking a proper sleep time can result in negative effects on kids performance, growth and overall development. Lack of sleep can result in chronic diseases in later part of the life, hence this should be treated lightly. Contact you child’s doctor for proper checkup to avoid any risk of being exposed of bacterial infection or any other disease.
Common Sleeping Problems in Kids
Waking up in the middle of the night: Some kids wake up in the middle of the night and starts crying. this happens when their sleep cycle completes and they don’t find anyone close to them and gets panicky, scared, restless and start crying.
Breathing issues due to ailments: All kids have different level of tolerance. Some sails through easily while some really struggle and find it tough to get though it. Children find it difficult breath during sleep time when suffering from pain and uneasiness. Your kid can become excessively cranky and dull during this period.
Irregular sleeping cycle: Some kids don’t like to sleep as they don’t want the day to end, because they are to naive to understand that it is necessary for human body to get proper sleep at a proper time to stay active. They keep on playing and resist sleeping. This can result in declining performance at school, outdoor activities and social relationships.
Lack of sleep may cause:
-
Behavioral problems
-
Mood swings
-
Memory, concentration and leaning problems
-
Slower reaction time
-
Decrease in daytime performance
-
Sleepwalking and nightmares.
Top 6 tips to manage sleep disorder in kids:
Prepare a sleep plan: Moms needs to follow a pattern every day and stick to it until their kid learns to sleep in their own. Pattern can be a bath routine as an example, brushing teeth, Changing your babies night clothes, story telling and lie down with your kid, tap them some time and close your eyes along. This is trigger your child to understand that the next activity should be sleep. Follow it without any fail and see the difference in kids attitude also Set up a “Go To Bed” time without a failure.
Set up a proper meal time: Do not give you kid any food or caffeine rich drink at least 4 hours before mealtime. Provide some light snacks like fruits, or a glass of milk before going to bed. Also make sure that there is a proper gap between meal time and before your baby go to sleep. Avoid giving heavy meals during the night.
Keep them away from electronics: There should be no television, computer, mobile phone, radio, or music playing while the child is going to sleep. TV and video games should be turned off at least one hour prior to bedtime.
Don’t force them to sleep: Avoid getting into bed with your kid in order to get them to sleep. Infants and children should be put to bed when they appear tired but still awake.
Maintain good sleep environment: Environment should be kids friendly. It shouldn’t be too dark, have a dim light and have proper ventilation in the room. If using AC, main a kid friendly temperature to avoid any mid night shivering and sleep disruption.
Family participation: make sure that all the members of the family clearly understand the importance of proper sleep for your toddler. Make sure the noise level in the house is maintained low.
