Bed time can be a trying time for parents and children when tantrums, crying or fear enter into the routine. Children need sleep to help their growth cycle and, just as adults do, to recharge and be in top condition for the next day. When children have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, there are ramifications that go beyond frustrated parents.
Sleep Cycle
The sleep cycle refers to the various stages a child goes through during the night while asleep. According to the University of Michigan Health System, there is rapid eye movement or REM sleep and non-rapid eye movement, or NREM sleep. During REM sleep, the eyes move fast while the body doesn't really move at all and dreams occur. This is the light sleep stage when children are more likely to wake up. During NREM sleep, the sleep is deeper and the child is less likely to wake up. Over the course of the night, children go back and forth between these two stages. Children, especially school age children, need between 9 and 12 hours of sleep a night within these two stages.
Symptoms
Symptoms of children with trouble sleeping include waking up early, problems falling asleep at bed time, waking up often during the night and talking during sleep. Children may also wake up crying, wet the bed or have nightmares. When children feel sleepy during the day, it is also a sign of trouble sleeping. If a child can't fall asleep within 15 to 30 minutes of getting in to bed or can't get up easily when it is time to wake, a sleep problem may be present.
Types
The National Association of School Psychologists states that many children with trouble sleeping have mild disturbances that are easy to treat. For other children, however, there are multiple types of sleep problems that require further treatment. Night terrors can cause trouble sleeping. These occur during REM sleep and are characterized by a sudden waking with an emotional outburst including fear. Sleepwalking happens when the child begins to walk while still in a sleep state with the eyes open but not seeing the world around them. Sleep onset anxiety is when children have problems falling asleep because of constant fear or worrying.
Effects
When children have trouble sleeping, the effects are felt not only the next day but can be seen in overall health. The day after trouble sleeping, a child may have problems with concentrating and memory or seem depressed or show other emotional or behavioral issues. For school age children, performance on tests and homework is affected. Lack of sleep also affects the immune system in a negative way, which can lead to illness.
Tips
To help avoid trouble sleeping in children, parents should keep bedtime consistent, and maintain a routine, activities that take place each night before bedtime. Finding the appropriate bedtime can be helped by observing when the child starts to slow down and is physically tired. During the day, children should have a varied routine with physical activity as a priority. Having the lights dimmed in the bedroom during bedtime and natural light when it is time to wake up can help the body recognize the sleep and wake cycle.
