Children have a natural ability to sleep deeply, but they also tend to wake up at night. As a result, many parents find themselves in the middle of the night, rocking their children back to sleep.
Sleep is a complex behavior regulated by multiple internal and external factors. The purpose of sleep is not well understood, but it is known to be essential for normal brain development and function.
Sleep problems are more common in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than in typically developing children. Studies have shown that 40%-90% of children with ASD have sleeping problems, affecting their daytime behavior and learning ability. The most common problem is insomnia, which includes difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early in the morning.
Why do children have difficulty sleeping?
There are many reasons why children have difficulty sleeping. For example, children with ADHD may have problems with hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. They may also have nighttime sleep problems because they cannot regulate their arousal levels, which leads to difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
Children with autism spectrum disorders may have difficulty falling asleep due to overstimulation from their environment (noise, light, etc.) or because they may be unable to self-regulate their arousal levels throughout the day and into the evening.
Children with sensory processing sensitivities may have trouble falling asleep due to an oversensitivity to certain sensory stimuli such as sounds, smells, lights, and touch.
Children have a natural ability to sleep deeply, but they also tend to wake up at night. As a result, many parents find themselves in the middle of the night, rocking their children back to sleep.
Children may have difficulty sleeping many and varied. They may be overtired or physically uncomfortable or have nightmares or other problems related to anxiety or stress.
Some children have unusual sleep habits, such as needing to eat at night or not feeling comfortable unless their parents are present during the night. Other children may wake up because of nightmares or hear noises that frighten them (such as thunder or fireworks).
Children also often have trouble falling asleep because they’ve become accustomed to being fed or rocked to fall asleep. Once this habit has been established, it can be challenging for them to stop needing this help to fall asleep independently.
Other reasons that can contribute to poor sleep include exposure to stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine during the day (especially in the afternoon/evening), which can interfere with sleep later that night).
Medications taken during the day (e.g., antibiotics) that affect sleep at night can also prevent children from sleeping.
Also Read: 5 Ways To Overcome The Challenges Faced With Student Participation
How to create the right environment for your kid to sleep in?
Creating a relaxing environment for your children to sleep in is essential. It helps them feel safe and comfortable, which makes it easier for them to fall asleep.
Here are some tips on creating the perfect sleeping space:
1. First, create a soothing bedtime routine.
Your child may be unable to fall asleep without their favorite stuffed animal or blanket, so create a consistent routine they know they’ll follow every night. For example, try reading together before bed, taking a bath, or turning off all electronics an hour before bedtime. Follow a regular sleep and waking schedule, even on weekends and holidays.
2. Make sure their room is dark and quiet.
Use blackout curtains or sound machines to help block out light and noise from outside or other rooms in the house. Keep TVs, computers, and phones out of the bedroom as much as possible, too — especially at night when lights from screens can affect sleep patterns and disrupt circadian rhythms.
3. Make the room warm enough and cool.
Keep their room cool at night (60-67 degrees Fahrenheit), so their body temperature drops when they sleep — this helps them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer! You can also have a small heater if it gets cold during winter.
4. Make sure they have everything they want.
Make sure that your child has a comfortable sleeping environment. This can include their pillow, blanket, and sheets.
5. There should be no noise to disturb them.
If you’re worried about noise keeping them awake at night, try getting earplugs, so you don’t wake up when they are stirring around in their sleep. This will allow them to move around without disturbing you or waking up when they finally fall asleep again.
You can also play soft music or sounds of nature, like waves crashing on the beach or birds singing outside their window at night, to help them relax and fall asleep more accessible than usual.
This is especially useful if your child has trouble falling asleep due to anxiety or stress over school work or other activities they may have during the day that keeps them awake at night worrying about what they have left unfinished.
Also Read: Is It Worth Getting Blue Light Glasses?
6. Use night lights if your child is scared of the dark.
You need dull lights like World children’s lights when creating a relaxing environment for your children to sleep in. The only exception is when the lights are turned off entirely or when you have a nightlight in the room. Even then, you should be careful to make the room light enough.
Dull lights are a lot more soothing than bright ones. They make it easier for your child’s eyes and brain to adjust and relax after a long day. However, when exposed to too much light, they’re more likely to be kept awake even longer because their eyes will be wide open, and their brains will be working overtime to process everything around them.
Put your child to bed when he’s drowsy but still awake (not asleep). Don’t force him into bed with the threat of punishment if he doesn’t go right away — this only teaches him that it’s okay to resist going to bed by using his power. Instead, calmly tell him that it’s time for bed and then leave if necessary without any fussing or arguing on his part before returning when he has settled down
+ There are no comments
Add yours