School age children require significantly more sleep than adults, typically between 9 and 12 hours nightly. If your child falls asleep within 30 minutes, wakes up relatively easily at the right hour and is alert during the day, he is likely getting adequate sleep. However, sleep problems are quite common in children, and can cause both parents and children consternation and distress. See your pediatrician if your child's sleeping problems are chronic or severe.
Nightmares and Night Terrors
Most children have occasional nightmares. They frequently occur in the early hours of the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Nightmares can occur after your child has gone through a difficult emotional or physical event. Children who wake up from a nightmare should be gently brought back to bed and told to go back to sleep in a comforting way, since they will usually be scared and upset. Night terrors may also occur in children, though less frequently than nightmares. They typically occur early in the sleep cycle. A child suffering from night terrors may wake up screaming, sweating, and breathing fast. She may not respond when you speak to her and appear confused. Though her eyes may be open, she likely is still asleep. Stay near a child who is going through a night terror to keep her from hurting herself. If night terrors persist, talk to your pediatrician.
Sleep Apnea
If your child is excessively sleepy during the day, snores loudly, and seems to stop breathing at times during the night, he may have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is due to obstructed breathing, which in children is often caused by enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition that can lead to heart problems, hypertension and learning disorders. According to sleep physician Dr. Carole Marcus, it is usually resolved in children by removing their tonsils and adenoids. If you suspect sleep apnea in your child, talk to your pediatrician about whether a sleep study may be warranted.
Resistance to Sleep
Some children have tantrums about bedtime or simply do not want to settle down and go to sleep. If sleep refusal becomes chronic, it can be useful for parents to figure out what is going on. Resistance to sleep can be a way that a child expresses his own autonomy, according to sleep experts at the University of Michigan. If you suspect that is the case, allow your child some choices of pre-bedtime activities and limited control over his bedtime routine. While you can and should make sure your child goes to bed at a reasonable hour, you cannot force your child to sleep. Simply set appropriate rules, such as no eating at night, and encourage your child to stay in bed.
