Although it’s not ideal, many people manage to function rather well—often with a little help from coffee—even when they don’t get enough sleep. Unfortunately, children cannot handle the consequences of sleep deprivation.
Yes, it may seem like children sleep a lot, and to be honest, they do, but this is because they need to. Kids should spend at least 40% of their formative years sleeping, as this is when their brains and bodies are developing. Without enough sleep, they may have difficulty focusing, processing new information, problem-solving, and even be grouchy.
Use these signs and fixes to monitor your child’s sleep needs and make adjustments to help them sleep more.
Mood Swings and Meltdowns
You may have noticed that your child acts crankier after a sleepless night. Mood swings, tantrums, and trouble controlling emotions are just a few signs of sleep deprivation. The child’s temper can switch on at a moment’s notice and may even necessitate some time away from others to cool off after a tantrum. This erratic conduct can discourage other children from befriending him or inviting him on play dates. Over time, this can impact your child’s ability to socialise, which in turn might affect their sense of self-worth.
Trouble Waking Up in the Morning
Preparing children for the day ahead of school each morning is no easy task. It’s even more difficult waking a kid who has had a bad night’s sleep. Your child’s lack of energy can manifest in a number of ways, including needing several wake-up calls and persistent dragging feet to the bathroom and breakfast. Before long, the daily routine of getting them out of bed can start to feel like an uphill battle. This could be due to an uncomfortable bed. To encourage deeper rest, consider ways to improve your bed with a Viscosoft topper.
School and Focus Issues
When the body is fatigued, the mind also becomes exhausted. As a result, the poor sleep habits can carry on to the class. Your child will be dozing off at school, which will cause academic issues. If the child doesn’t catch up, they can end up being frustrated with studies and may eventually give up altogether.
Lack of enough sleep can also limit your child’s physical performance, making it difficult to engage in physical or sports activities. The reduced activity can consequently lead to weight gain and other overweight health related issues.
Easy Sleep Fixes for your Child
Set a Regular Bedtime
Reduce inconsistency by keeping a sleeping routine. Your kid will sleep better if you stick to the same wake-up and bedtime schedule every day, including on weekends.
Create a Wind-down Routine
Children can take a while to wind down and sleep after a busy day. A consistent bedtime routine that includes a warm bath or shower, reading a bedtime book or playing calming music will help the child relax before bed.
Less Screen Time at Night
The blue light emitted by electronic devices like televisions, tablets, phones, and video games disrupts the body’s natural melatonin production, which is needed for sleeping. Turn off all electronic media at least 2 hours before bedtime.
Improve the Sleep Environment
Ensure your kid’s bedroom is cosy, cool, and dark. Use blackout curtains to block off light and ensure a quiet setting, along with a supportive mattress and soft bedding to help your child fall asleep more easily.
Conclusion
Little adjustments create a tangible difference for your child’s sleep problems. It is important to recognise the subtle signs of when your kid is not getting enough rest so you can take action early and make helpful changes. And if you’ve done everything you can, and your child is still struggling with poor sleep patterns, you should see a physician to rule out more serious medical factors, for example, sleep apnea.
