Sleep Disturbance in Children

Sleep deprivation not only affects adults, but many children are victims as well. Parents of children with sleep disturbances know all too well the difficulties involved with having children with chronic sleep difficulties. Learning the causes of sleep disturbances in children and possible treatments can help make "sleep time" a peaceful time for the child in your life.

Sleep Requirements

• Sleep requirements vary for children depending upon age, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Babies up to six months of age typically sleep eight to 10 hours at night with several daytime naps. It is normal for babies not to sleep through the night. Sleep cycles vary from light to deep sleep, and infants sleep light much of the time. Awakening usually occurs during the light sleep period. An infant goes through a sleep cycle about every hour so frequent awakening is normal.

  School-age children normally require between nine and 12 hours of nighttime sleep. This is often the age when bad sleeping habits develop and the start of "sleep deprivation." A child without sleep difficulties can fall asleep within 15 to 30 minutes; wakes up easily upon arousal; and stays alert during waking hours. If your child complains about being made to go to bed at a certain time, you can tell her you are keeping her bedtime at this hour because it is healthy for her and you want her to feel good during the daytime hours.

  As a child matures to the preteen and teenage years, it is still important for him to get the required amount of sleep. Children of this age require about nine to 10 hours of nighttime sleep.

Warning Signs

• There are some red flags that may indicate your child is having sleep disturbances. Does he fall asleep every time you drive him somewhere in the car? Do you have difficulty awakening her in the morning? Does he seem overly tired, angry or aggressive? Does she suddenly "crash" on some nights much earlier than the expected bedtime? These could all be signs your child is experiencing sleep disturbances.

Insomnia

• If your child has difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, he may be suffering from insomnia. It could last a few days or weeks, or it may be long-term. Issues that can bring about insomnia in children include chronic pain, stress or mental anxiety.

Sleep Apnea

• Snoring in children, which can be caused by chronic nasal congestion or enlarged adenoids or tonsils, is one symptom of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea means your child is having short pauses in her breathing pattern. While this is often not dangerous, it can result in poor sleep quality. If your child is not getting quality sleep, he may appear tired and listless during the day.

Night Terrors

• A more serious sleep disturbance in children is night terrors. If your child is having night terrors, she may awake suddenly from sleep screaming, crying and having a rapid heart rate. Night terrors can begin in children around 18 months of age and usually last until about age 6. "Night terrors" should not be confused with nightmares. During a night terror, the child is still asleep. You should try not to disturb him and remove objects in the room he may injure himself with.

Treatment

• Several methods are available to try to help your child sleep better. Your doctor may prescribe a sleep aid if the sleep disturbance is severe. Before looking to medicate your child to help her sleep there are a few other methods you can try.

  Sleeping with your child may comfort him until his sleep difficulties have passed. When you feel it is time to "wean" your child away from your bed, make him a pallet beside your bed so he is still close to you during sleep time. Then, gradually move him into his own bed in the same room. Finally, he will be ready to sleep in his own bed in his room.

  Keep a sleep diary of your child's sleeping habits for awhile. Look at her sleeping and waking patterns, the time and length of sleep, how long it took her to fall asleep and how many times she awoke during the night. Once you find an established pattern, you may be able to find a solution.