Sleep and Kids: Strategies for Ensuring Adequate Rest and Sleep Hygiene

Sleep is an integral part of a child’s growing up process; parents need to ensure that they get plenty of it.

Are you a first-time parent? If you answered yes, chances are you've begun to endure your child's never-ending sleep tantrums. However, you are not the only parents facing this issues; studies reveal that one out of four Indian child suffers from sleeping disorders thereby making it difficult for the parents to get their toddlers to sleep properly. Before seeking assistance on how you can get your children to sleep properly, you need to fist realise the importance that proper sleep has in their formation. Only by combining sleep hygiene, studying how many hours kids sleep, and verifying that your child does not have a sleep problem can you give a tranquil sleep for your child.

Moris India, India’s best digital marketing agency knows that Parenting may be exhausting, therefore our experts have compiled a list of important facts concerning children and sleep.

Why Is Sleep Essential for Children?

Proper sleep makes children happy while also improving their immunity, healing ability and all other cognitive functions. Overall, it should always be ensured that a kid obtains a full and restful night's sleep. A leading global health journal lists out the advantages that proper sleep offers to children.

Builds Immunity: When it comes to immunity, children and sleep are inextricably linked. Children who sleep well have reduced risks of being sick, and if they do, they recover quickly.

Strengthens Healing: Because children are exposed to a variety of physical activities, they are more prone to injury. However, enough sleep promotes rapid recovery.

Sleep assists in the elimination of neurotoxic waste products that accumulate in the central nervous system. Finally, brain operations become more efficient.  

Perfect Growth: Babies who sleep for longer periods of time have been shown to have longer body growth.  

What Happens When Children Sleep Too Little?

Sleep deprived children are generally susceptible to a lot of health complications. The first indicator of a problematic connection between children and sleep is irritable or hyperactive behavior, which may mirror ADHD. Sleep deprivation may also impair their capacity to pay attention, resulting in poor academic performance. In fact, sleep disruption has been associated to rhinitis. Inadequate sleep also brings down immunity levels leading to anxiety and despair in the children. Poor sleep also shoots up the chances of developing cardiovascular disorders in the future and these children may end up with health complications like Type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

How Can I Tell If My Child Is Sleeping Enough?

You cannot just glance and identify whether your child is sleeping properly and sufficiently. Some of the ways that children and sleep do not mix are as follows:

There will be a loss of interest in people and the environment.

a propensity to stray away from active things

Pulling ears and scratching eyes are examples of gestures.

Suggestions to ensure a good night’s sleep for your child

Every parent wants the best for their children, and seeing them suffer from sleep deprivation may be heart-breaking. Finding techniques to help their children to sleep correctly may be difficult for new parents. Here are some suggestions to help youngsters sleep better.

Make getting enough sleep a family priority.

Your kid will imitate you, and if you have unhealthy sleeping habits, such as sleeping late, they will do the same. As a result, devote time to developing a good sleep plan for the whole family.

Maintain a consistent daily regimen.

Adherence to a daily schedule is extremely helpful; chalk out a regime for eating, studying, playing and, of course, sleeping.

Keep your children busy throughout the day.

To sleep soundly at night, your kid must participate in physical activity. Exercising has been linked to a reduction in insomnia and sleep problems.

Keep track of your screen time.

Screen use should be monitored, particularly before going to bed. Make sure your youngster does not use any electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime. The blue light from the screen might harm your child's eyes, causing digital eye strain and retina damage.

Create a sleep-friendly and secure bedroom and household environment.

Make a sleep-inducing environment for your youngster. Keep a favourite doll or comfort blanket nearby, and lower the lights as they sleep. Overall, kids must be calm and not aware when sleeping.

Recognize that teenagers demand more sleep.

Teens need extra sleep since their sleep cycle shifts two hours later at the start of puberty.

Do not place a bottle of juice, milk, or formula in your baby's crib.

Allow your infant to sleep with just water, not a bottle of milk, formula, or juice, since this can induce teeth rot. This commonly known problem known as Baby Bottle Syndrome has been identified by dentists as a major cause for tooth decay.

Do not begin solids before the age of 6 months.

Solid meals should be introduced to babies once they reach the age of six months, not earlier. Doing so before reaching the age of majority interrupts the sleep pattern and produces abdominal discomfort.

Avoid overbooking.

Instead of cramming too many activities into the evening, let them time to relax after school. Overscheduling may lead to stress and an inability to finish duties.

Learn to identify sleep issues.

It is important to secure knowledge of the different types of sleep disorders your child might face including but not limited to having trouble to fall asleep, waking up in between sleep, and sleep apnoea.

Speak with your child's teacher or day-care provider.

Speak with your child's teacher or care provider about their sleeping problems and how they respond to sleep throughout the day.

Discuss sleep with your child's paediatrician.

If you have discovered that your child is suffering from sleep disorders, do not hesitate contacting your child’s paediatrician.  

When Should You See a Doctor?

When your kid exhibits daytime tiredness or behavioural concerns, it is necessary to talk with their paediatrician. Never give your kid medicine without first visiting their doctor.

The End Note:

It should make you sad as a parent to see your kid suffer from a sleep issue and not get enough rest. This is designed to wear on the parents' psyche. Do not delay consulting the paediatrician if any of the afore-mentioned issues are observed.