A variety of issues and conditions can lead to your child not sleeping through the night. As they grow and develop, even previously sound sleepers can encounter problems. Luckily, most of these issues are fairly simple to fix once you've identified the direct source of the problem. With a little help and encouragement, and perhaps some help from your pediatrician, your child can start sleeping through the night again.
Healthy Patterns
Though healthy sleep patterns can vary from child to child, experts with the University of Michigan Health System say that children should fall asleep 15 to 30 minutes after going to bed. School-aged kids require anywhere from nine to 12 hours of sleep per night. Children who are getting enough sleep throughout the night should wake up easily in the morning and generally won't require a nap during the day.
Signs
Most parents know that their children aren't sleeping soundly because they receive late-night visits from sleepy kids. However, there are other signs that your child may not be sleeping through the night. Signs of sleep deprivation include crankiness, hyperactivity, falling asleep in the car or in class and the inability to focus on tasks.
Simple Fixes
Some children's sleep problems can be linked to simple environmental issues. Try adding a night light to your child's room, or darkening the room if you suspect it's too bright. Children who are light sleepers may be awakened by bumps in the night, so placing a fan in their room to supply white noise can help cover up these sounds. Eating or drinking things that contain caffeine and sugar right before bed can cause restlessness. Sleep onset associations, which are when a child associates falling asleep with a specific comfort object or activity, can be to blame. Finally, kids thrive on consistency. Stick to your child's bedtime, even while on vacation, to make sure he gets the best sleep possible.
Medical Issues
Some children have more complex medical issues that cause them to wake up. Conditions like night terrors, teeth grinding, sleepwalking and bed wetting can all make for a bad night's sleep. It's also possible for children to develop disruptive conditions like restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea or insomnia. If you suspect one of these issues is to blame for your child's poor sleeping habits, you should visit your pediatrician. Medication, as well as changes in daily routine, can usually help these conditions fade.
Considerations
While you're dealing with your child's sleeping issues, you may need to consider your own attitude toward the subject. Even if they seem silly to you, fears that are big enough to wake your child in the night should be taken seriously. The University of Michigan Health System experts say that if you make bedtime a point of contention or use it as a punishment, your child will have a negative view of sleep. Making sure that your child's night is restful begins by supplying them with a calm, accepting environment in which they can truly relax.
