Many young children find it difficult to calm down, sleep, and wake up at night. This may not be a problem, for some people.
If you are happy that your child goes to sleep while you sleep. That's good.
But if you have a lack of sleep with your child, you may want to try some of these suggestions. Every child is different, so just feel comfortable and just what you think is best for your child.
If your child does not want to go to sleep
• Determine when you want your child to go to sleep.
• Choose a time close to the time your baby sleeps and start 'reducing' 20 minutes of normal sleep time. Begin by roughly 5-10 minutes per week (or 15 minutes, if your child is used to sleeping too late) until you reach the bedtime you want.
• Limit the amount of time you spend with your child when you put him in bed. For example, read one story before bedtime, then cover your baby and say goodnight.
• Give your child his favorite toy, his ode (if he uses one) or a pacifier before settling into bed.
• If your baby is crying, leave it for 5-10 minutes before you return and calm them down again.
• Don't carry them or take them downstairs. If your child gets up, put him in bed again.
• Leave drinking water within reach of the child and dim light if necessary.
• If you continue to check if your baby is asleep, you may wake him up, so leave him or her to make sure he is asleep.
• You may have to repeat this routine for several nights.
• If you try this, you will need to be strict and do not give up.
If your child keeps you awake at night
It makes sense to expect your child to sleep most of the night when he is six months old. However, up to half of children under the age of five experience periods of waking up at night. Some children will go to sleep on their own, others will cry or want to stay on their side. If this happens, try to find out why your child wakes up.
For example:
If your child is one or more years old, giving them a meal of cereal and milk is the last thing that can help them sleep at night.
• Are you afraid of darkness? You can use night light or leave the lights on.
• Does your child wake up because of night fears or disturbing dreams? If so, try to find out if something is bothering him.
• Is your child's temperature too high or too low? Adjust the blankets or heating in the room and check if this is helpful.
If there is no obvious reason, and your child keeps waking up, crying or asking you to stay with him, you can try some of the following suggestions:
• Systematic waking. If your child wakes up at the same time every night, try to wake him up 15-60 minutes before that time, and then bring him back to sleep.
• Let your child sleep in the same room with a brother or sister. If you think your child may be lonely, and no brother or sister objects, put them in the same room. This may help both to sleep through the night.
• Teach your child to go back to bed and sleep on his own. First check that everything is OK. If everything is fine, bring your child back to bed without talking to him too much. If he wants to drink give him water, but don't give him anything to eat. To be effective, leave it in the cot or bed. Do not take it with you to the basement or to your bed.
Let it cry for about 5-10 minutes before you check on it. Over the next few nights, increase the time
Gradually before you check on them. It may take a week or two, but if you continue this routine your child should go back to sleep on his own.
• Treated together. Agree with your husband how to address your child's sleep problems. You don't want to try to decide what to do in the middle of the night. If you decide together what is best for your child, it will be easier to stick to your plan.
Nightmares
Nightmares are very common. It often starts between the ages of 18 months and three years. Nightmares are usually not a sign of emotional disturbance. Nightmares may occur if your child is worried about something or is afraid of a TV show or story. After the nightmare, your child will need rest and peace of mind. If your child has a lot of nightmares, and you don't know why, talk to your doctor or health visitor.
Night terrors
Night terrors can occur before the age of one year, but are more common in children between three and eight years of age; usually, a child screams or hits around while still asleep. This usually occurs several hours after a child's sleep. He may sit, talk, or show horror while he is still asleep. Night terrors are not usually a sign of any serious problems, and your child will eventually get over them.
Do not wake your child during night terrors. But if panic attacks occur at the same time each night, try to break this pattern by quietly waking your baby about 15 minutes before. Keep him awake for a few minutes, then let him go back to sleep. He will not remember anything in the morning. It can be annoying to see your child suffering from night terrors, but it is not dangerous and will not have any lasting effects.
Additional help to solve sleep problems
Patience, consistency and commitment may be required, but most sleep problems can be solved. If you try the suggestions on these pages, and your child's sleep is still a problem, talk to your doctor or health visitor.
They may have other ideas or may suggest an appointment at a sleep clinic, if they are in your area. Sleep clinics are usually run by clinical psychologists who are trained to deal with sleep problems. They may offer the help and support you need.
If you are desperate in the meantime, try to find someone else to act on your behalf at night, or someone your child can stay with. If you want some sleep, you should better deal with the problem.
If you are happy that your child goes to sleep while you sleep. That's good.
But if you have a lack of sleep with your child, you may want to try some of these suggestions. Every child is different, so just feel comfortable and just what you think is best for your child.
If your child does not want to go to sleep
• Determine when you want your child to go to sleep.
• Choose a time close to the time your baby sleeps and start 'reducing' 20 minutes of normal sleep time. Begin by roughly 5-10 minutes per week (or 15 minutes, if your child is used to sleeping too late) until you reach the bedtime you want.
• Limit the amount of time you spend with your child when you put him in bed. For example, read one story before bedtime, then cover your baby and say goodnight.
• Give your child his favorite toy, his ode (if he uses one) or a pacifier before settling into bed.
• If your baby is crying, leave it for 5-10 minutes before you return and calm them down again.
• Don't carry them or take them downstairs. If your child gets up, put him in bed again.
• Leave drinking water within reach of the child and dim light if necessary.
• If you continue to check if your baby is asleep, you may wake him up, so leave him or her to make sure he is asleep.
• You may have to repeat this routine for several nights.
• If you try this, you will need to be strict and do not give up.
If your child keeps you awake at night
It makes sense to expect your child to sleep most of the night when he is six months old. However, up to half of children under the age of five experience periods of waking up at night. Some children will go to sleep on their own, others will cry or want to stay on their side. If this happens, try to find out why your child wakes up.
For example:
If your child is one or more years old, giving them a meal of cereal and milk is the last thing that can help them sleep at night.
• Are you afraid of darkness? You can use night light or leave the lights on.
• Does your child wake up because of night fears or disturbing dreams? If so, try to find out if something is bothering him.
• Is your child's temperature too high or too low? Adjust the blankets or heating in the room and check if this is helpful.
If there is no obvious reason, and your child keeps waking up, crying or asking you to stay with him, you can try some of the following suggestions:
• Systematic waking. If your child wakes up at the same time every night, try to wake him up 15-60 minutes before that time, and then bring him back to sleep.
• Let your child sleep in the same room with a brother or sister. If you think your child may be lonely, and no brother or sister objects, put them in the same room. This may help both to sleep through the night.
• Teach your child to go back to bed and sleep on his own. First check that everything is OK. If everything is fine, bring your child back to bed without talking to him too much. If he wants to drink give him water, but don't give him anything to eat. To be effective, leave it in the cot or bed. Do not take it with you to the basement or to your bed.
Let it cry for about 5-10 minutes before you check on it. Over the next few nights, increase the time
Gradually before you check on them. It may take a week or two, but if you continue this routine your child should go back to sleep on his own.
• Treated together. Agree with your husband how to address your child's sleep problems. You don't want to try to decide what to do in the middle of the night. If you decide together what is best for your child, it will be easier to stick to your plan.
Nightmares
Nightmares are very common. It often starts between the ages of 18 months and three years. Nightmares are usually not a sign of emotional disturbance. Nightmares may occur if your child is worried about something or is afraid of a TV show or story. After the nightmare, your child will need rest and peace of mind. If your child has a lot of nightmares, and you don't know why, talk to your doctor or health visitor.
Night terrors
Night terrors can occur before the age of one year, but are more common in children between three and eight years of age; usually, a child screams or hits around while still asleep. This usually occurs several hours after a child's sleep. He may sit, talk, or show horror while he is still asleep. Night terrors are not usually a sign of any serious problems, and your child will eventually get over them.
Do not wake your child during night terrors. But if panic attacks occur at the same time each night, try to break this pattern by quietly waking your baby about 15 minutes before. Keep him awake for a few minutes, then let him go back to sleep. He will not remember anything in the morning. It can be annoying to see your child suffering from night terrors, but it is not dangerous and will not have any lasting effects.
Additional help to solve sleep problems
Patience, consistency and commitment may be required, but most sleep problems can be solved. If you try the suggestions on these pages, and your child's sleep is still a problem, talk to your doctor or health visitor.
They may have other ideas or may suggest an appointment at a sleep clinic, if they are in your area. Sleep clinics are usually run by clinical psychologists who are trained to deal with sleep problems. They may offer the help and support you need.
If you are desperate in the meantime, try to find someone else to act on your behalf at night, or someone your child can stay with. If you want some sleep, you should better deal with the problem.
Posted in: Child Health
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