Sleep battles, including when, where and how your child sleeps, can wreak havoc on a household and make everybody feel irritable and grumpy. You might resign yourself to either allowing your child to stay up later than he should or constantly returning him to his bed. The nighttime battles can fill the evening hours with tension and stress, making bedtime unpleasant for everybody involved. By consistently addressing sleep problems and taking steps to remedy your child’s issues, you can help him fall asleep more quickly, which will ultimately lead to more pleasant evenings for the entire family.
Child Is Over-Tired, But Refusing To Sleep
While it seems like a tired child should equal a sleepy one, this is often not the case. Sleep expert Marc Weissbluth, author of “Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child,” stresses the importance of early bedtimes and adequate naptimes for improving a child’s ability to fall asleep easily. He suggests watching for signs of over-tiredness, such as crankiness or irritability, in your child between the hours of 4-6 p.m. and adjusting your child’s bedtime to an earlier time when he is less exhausted and over-stimulated.
Your Child Won't Stay In Her Room or Bed
A child who hears noises from the TV or laughter and talking from older siblings or parents might not want to stay in his room where he perceives herself as isolated from the action. The Mayo Clinic suggests keeping the household quiet for the hour before bedtime. Turn off the TV or radio. Don’t allow any household members to play video or computer games. Keep the lights dim and as a household focus on quiet activities, like reading books, playing board games or doing puzzles.
He Doesn't Seem Sleepy
Some children, whether due to an over-early bedtime or an extra-long nap, might not be physically tired enough to sleep when their bedtime rolls around. If your child naps, pediatrician Dr. William Sears suggests starting naptime earlier than normal and cutting it short so that it doesn’t last long into the afternoon. Weissbluth advises parents to ensure children get 20 minutes of vigorous exercise each day to help make them tired enough for bedtime.
He Will Only Sleep In Your Bed
A child unwilling to sleep in his own bed often needs help dealing with night fears or separation anxiety. Talk to your child about his room and bedtime to try to get to the root of his fears. If you discover your child has a fear of monsters or the dark, add a nightlight to your child’s room or give him a spray bottle of “monster spray” he can use to banish monsters. Pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene suggests handling separation problems by ensuring you spend adequate one-on-one time with your child during the day. Wean her away from your constant night-time presence by gradually moving her from your bed to the floor beside your bed, then outside your bedroom door and finally to her own room.
References
- Parents Connect: Kids Sleeping Boot Camp--Adjusting Daytimes for Better Nighttimes
- Mayo Clinic: Child Sleep--Put Preschool Bedtime Problems To Rest
- Parents Connect: Kids Sleep Training With Dr. Marc Weissbluth
- Dr. Greene: Tips For Helping Children Sleep In Their Own Beds
- Babycenter: Child Won't Go To Sleep
