By Soda Kuczkowski Raising healthy sleepers isn’t the easiest task. It takes consistent dedication on the part of often over exhausted parents struggling with their own sleep issues. In the society we live in it is often difficult to remember to practice self-care and we may unintentionally pass o...
By Soda Kuczkowski
Raising healthy sleepers isn’t the easiest task. It takes consistent dedication on the part of often over exhausted parents struggling with their own sleep issues. In the society we live in it is often difficult to remember to practice self-care and we may unintentionally pass our poor habits on to our children. Many issues that arise from child sleep challenges correlate directly with factors that are within our control, but we’re unware of. Parents can overlook how important the role of sleep is in a child’s development mentally, physically, and emotionally. They may be too close to see what could be contributing to sleep issues such as night awakenings and early rising.
The foundation for healthy sleep habits involves understanding how physical and emotional needs, developmental milestones, social factors, and the environment, play a part in its success; with consistency being the driver behind healthy sleep habits.
It is best when addressing a child’s sleep to create an environment that is calming, safe and regimented. Children thrive with routine! It is how they learn, through repetition and consistency. Although outside factors can cause ripples in sleep patterns and pose challenges along the way, a strong, consistent sleep plan will help set the tone and positive relationship with sleep as they grow and develop. Routine helps children learn self-control, guide positive behavior, support social skills, cope with transitions and serve as a connector for parent-and-child bonding.
Some great habits to incorporate into a child’s bedtime routine include a bath, reading a favorite book, dimming the lights, as well as the use of darkening blinds to block out any potential light that may be disruptive during the night or cause early rising in the morning. The practice of breathing exercises and yoga have also increased in popularity. It is important to remember that the best way to develop a solid sleep plan is to also include assessing the entire family’s sleep dynamic, because it is all interrelated.
When it comes to children and sleep problems, parents should be conscious of unusual daytime sleepiness, behavioral issues and warning signs such as bedwetting, excessive sweating, difficulty waking up, restless legs causing tangled sheets and unusual sleep positions as well as witnessing snoring or abnormal breathing patterns especially pauses or gasping.
If it is suspected that a child suffers from a sleep disorder, parents should speak with a pediatrician regarding an evaluation with a sleep medicine doctor or seek a referral for a sleep study.