Amy Korn-Reavis asked:


With the beginning of summer here and the end of the school year the need to consider our children’s habits while they are at home. Many children are home alone or home with older siblings and are limited in their activities. This can lead to issues that will increase health problems.
 
The sleeping pattern for a child is very important. During sleep they not only rest; they heal from injuries, grow and their minds process much of the information it accumulates during the day. The amount a child or teen needs is higher then an adult yet we treat our children as if they have the same needs as adults. Limit setting is sometimes difficult but is as necessary during the summer as the school year.
 
Here are a few tips for encouraging sleep in children:

Set a strict bedtime for most days but allow for special occasions. This will keep them on a schedule and will reduce the need to adjust their schedule when school starts. Allow them to sleep in on the weekend. If your child has some sleep debt, a need the body has for extra sleep, it can help to be allowed to sleep in on certain days. Make sure that there room is dark and quiet. It is hard to go to sleep with excess light and noise. This does not allow the brain to settle down. Remove all electronics from the room. There are two problems with electronics such as game systems, television and computers, they are tempting to go back to when the patents leave, and using them right before they go to sleep will not allow the brain to prepare itself for sleep. Create a routine to help them unwind. If a child does the same routine every night they are set up for sleep success. A great routine would start with sitting quietly about 30 minutes before bed and read or be read to, then go brush their teeth, change into sleep clothes, get a glass of water for the bedside table ( will eliminate the “I’m thirsty” call), turn off the lights and get into bed. 

Parents want what is best for their children. It is essential that we work with them to succeed in all areas of their life. Helping them to get enough sleep will help them to learn better, be healthier and be happier. 

patterns of insomnia

Jeff Farley asked:


Insomnia in children is not nearly as common as insomnia in adults, but it is still a problem for both a number of kids and their parents. When children are constantly waking up in the middle of the night, it can affect their mood during the day, leading to a number of discipline problems at school as well as at home.

Other symptoms of insomnia in children can include irritability, mood swings, hyperactivity, depression, aggressiveness, a lower attention span, and memory problems. Insomnia in children can be caused by kids going to bed too late at night. Sometimes, parents do not have the proper expectations as to the number of hours of sleep their kids need. Another problem is that parents can schedule too many activities for their children.

And the education system can share some blame in this too. Often, children are stressed from too much homework, and this makes it hard for them to sleep. Another reason for insomnia in children is too much entertainment. They spend too long talking on the phone, they play too many video games, or they watch too much television.

As a parent, you must realize that your child needs about 10 to 11 hours of sleep each night if they are between the ages of 6 and 12. If they are teenagers, they still need about 9 hours of sleep each and every night.

If your child suffers from insomnia, please do not try to give them sleeping pills! They have yet to be approved for use in children.

sleep apnea

Sarah Walker asked:


Insomnia is a common disorder, and a lot of people assume that it only affects adults. However this is a misleading piece of information, as children can also be affected with insomnia. This sleep disorder can be a situation where a person is without sleep for a certain amount of time. Child insomnia will be as difficult as that in adults.

If a child is affected with this sleep disorder, they may be highly irritable, and they may be affected in school. Because of the lack of sleep, they will wake up being lethargic and this will affect their performance in school. The causes of child insomnia are similar to those of the adults. One main reason among children could be stress.

This could be because of various reasons. They might be facing per pressure at school, or they may be affected with the situation at home. Some physical health problems could also be the cause of insomnia in various children. Their food must be monitored a lot as well, as they are likely to eat junk food. Physical pain might also be a main reason.

Children might also have bad dreams, as they might be afraid of parents scolding them for their performance in school, or peer pressure once again. During this time, it is essential that the parents show them extremely loving towards the child. Ignoring this situation could lead to more serious problems. Though extra care is taken, a health professional care must be sought.

By finding the causes and treating the problem immediately, there could be good improvement within a short span of time. Most of the children facing the problem will be similar to adults. They will find difficulty staying asleep, or they might find difficulty falling asleep. Parents must also check the sleep patterns of the child, as they could be staying up playing computer games.

The child may begin to show memory problems, or might have mood swings and be depressed a lot. All of these signs will sometimes mean that they have insomnia. The kind of medication used for this disorder in children must also be monitored, as not all will be suitable for them. The parents also need to explore whether the causes are medical or psychological.

This will allow them to give the child better treatment, and a good experienced professional must be sought at once for medical advice for treatment of child insomnia.

insomnia epidemiology

Tom Turner asked:


It isn’t uncommon for children to experience difficulty sleeping. Insomnia is basically the act of not being able to sleep. Insomnia in children is actually a very common occurrence and can occur at any age. There are a number of things that can cause insomnia in children and this article will explore some of those things and what you can possibly do to help overcome the problem.

Children like to feel secure just as you and I. Sometimes circumstances will change in the home. You as an adult have it under control, but they (children) don’t. They don’t like change. Change can cause insomnia in children as they no longer feel safe. Maybe you have just made a move, or you are going through a divorce, or have just experienced a death in the family. You may have even changed to a new job and your hours of work are different, or you just began working and are not at home all the time. We the parents, may not have realized that these type of things can cause insomnia in children as we are fine with it or have gotten over it.

Routine is very important to a child, and a broken routine can cause insomnia in children. They need to have a regular bedtime and they need to get up at around the same time each day, as this will establish when bedtime is. We seem to live very busy lives these days and for some families, they are on the go so much that they never know when they are going to return home at night. Children like to sleep in their own beds, with their own pillow and blankie. Waking them to return home from some function, can cause insomnia in children. They may not be able to go back to sleep or it may take some time before they slumber again.

There are two types of insomnia in children.

Acute: This is classified as short term. The child may be up one night a week for a few weeks. Stress, illness, hot or cold, and medications can be some of the factors that would cause acute insomnia in children. You can remedy some of these things, by just making the child comfortable. Short term sickness will pass and so will the use of the medication that could be keeping them awake.

Chronic: This is classified as long term. The child may be up three times a week for a month or more. Depression, anxiety, or pain and discomfort can be some of the factors that would cause chronic insomnia in children. You should seek medical advice for a child who is experiencing chronic insomnia. There are some treatments available that can help.

Like I said before, insomnia in children is very common and you are not alone in this battle to sleep. Just know that insomnia in children is usually not permanent, so hopefully soon you will be able to get some rest as well.

sleep disorder information

J Seymour asked:


Child insomnia help for school-aged children is available in self-hypnosis. Young kids may need support to guide them to sleep. Family members can assist their children to fall asleep easier by teaching them meditative relaxation techniques.

Identifying Insomnia in Children

Children who have insomniac tendencies have difficultly drifting off to sleep. They often waken during the night and they do not get enough rest even when they do manage to sleep. They are tired all day and the fatigue interferes with their ability to function.

During the day, kids who have sleeplessness may fall asleep in intervals. They have difficultly staying on task. Cognitive skills can suffer and memory can be impaired through lack of sleep. Children require adequate rest for proper brain functioning.

Insomniac Causes

You can find child insomnia help by considering possible underlying conditions that could cause sleeplessness. In kids, the inability to get enough sleep typically stems from another psychological or physical problem. Very young kids may attribute their inability to sleep with fear. There are other elements to consider as well.

Anxiety and depression are not commonly associated with kids but many children have these conditions. The problems often function on a subconscious level. In addition, many young people have difficulty articulating these feelings.

Physical problems can feed into the sleeplessness as well. Sometimes conditions like cystic fibrosis and asthma can interfere with a kid’s ability to sleep. It is important to rule out medical conditions with your pediatric doctor as you search for childhood insomniac assistance.

Fear and Childhood Sleeplessness

Children in elementary school who have insomniac symptoms complain about bad dreams and nighttime anxiety and fear. These elements make it very difficult for some kids to fall asleep. Nighttime fear and anxiety can make falling asleep impossible. These factors can also make falling back asleep after waking in the middle of the night impossible.

Self-Hypnosis Child Insomnia Help

Hypnosis is very effective in the treatment of childhood insomnia conditions because it helps the youngster to overcome fear and anxiety. Your little one can respond well to the calming suggestions offered by a hypnosis CD. The process is relaxing and it provides a new perspective on nighttime routines.

Relaxation therapy is commonly used to treat insomniac conditions and hypnosis maximizes this approach’s effectiveness. Imagery training and meditation are integral to self-hypnosis, making it easier to learn how to calm and organize emotions and state of mind.

As your youngster learns how to control emotions and physical responses, he is better able to fall asleep faster. This approach also helps to provide the deep restful state that is necessary for proper function.

Hypnosis is a very effective complementary approach if there is an underlying medical condition that needs to be addressed. Proper sleep can help children get the rest they need as they address medical problems through the treatment developed by their pediatricians.

Sleep is a very important part of a healthy, happy childhood. You can find child insomnia help in hypnosis for your youngster.

sleep problems and disorders

Tom Turner asked:


Many people suffer from a condition known as insomnia. Insomnia is a sleeping disorder in which the person has trouble going to sleep. Children are just as likely to get insomnia as any adult. Childhood insomnia is very common and in most cases is outgrown or cured with treatment. If you have children, you can relate to being kept awake probably more than once in their growing up years. There are a number of reasons for childhood insomnia and in this article we will learn some of those factors along with some possible remedies.

Children depend on us for their every need; especially when they are very little. Believe it or not, childhood insomnia can be caused from the lack of routine. Children like a routine. Something they can count on regularly. Going to bed at the same time each night can help alleviate some childhood insomnia. For some, it’s just that simple. Children don’t like to sleep anywhere else, but their own beds as this is a safe and comfortable place for them. If their schedule is messed up very much, they can become messed up as well. We all like security and being in their own bed at home, is a security which can account for a good nights sleep.

Security can come in the form of just holding and rocking the child to sleep. Some children experience nightmares and don’t want to go to bed at night. Nightmares can cause childhood insomnia as the child is afraid to go to sleep. Leaving a light on so the child can see, can sometimes help, but in most cases, a sense of security needs to be established. The child needs to know it is OK to go to sleep because you are right there and not going to let anything happen. Children need lots of kisses and hugs to help prevent childhood insomnia. We all like to be comforted so remember not to over comfort, or the child will continue needing the comfort just for the attention.

There are other factors that cause childhood insomnia. Things like teething, too much sugar, soda pop, coffee, tea, can contribute to causes of insomnia. Avoid caffeine for children, if at all possible as it will not only keep them up, but it isn’t good for them either. Intestinal worms can be the cause of childhood insomnia too. This can occur especially if you own a pet. We all know that pets get worms, but fail to think of our children getting them. Just remember your small child will eat and touch anything, and there are no exceptions to what they will usually pick up. I used to worm my young children in the spring every year when they were younger. If they are squirming around allot as they sleep, and wake up frequently, you can just about bet they have worms. Just remember, this doesn’t just happen in your home, it is a common cause of childhood insomnia and it doesn’t’ mean you are dirty or an unfit parent.

Another factor that can set off childhood insomnia is medication. Children are sick a lot as they grow up, and most medications contain artificial coloring and additives which can cause the child to be awake. If a child is experiencing insomnia, don’t give them medication that will make them drowsy as this can be harmful to the child. When you are awake and wanting to go to sleep I’m sure it could be tempting, but remember it could do more harm than good. There are some natural herbal treatments for childhood insomnia that won’t be harmful.

patterns of insomnia

Ken Glauser asked:


Sadly sometimes children are faced with medical problems usually associated with adults and adult behavior, While the age difference between children and adults can be substantial, the negative impacts can be as severe with a child as it is with an adult. Sometimes the child’s negative impact can be more dramatic and harmful than the adults.

The effects of insomnia in children can be quite dramatic. There are a number of residual effects with a child that suffers from bouts of insomnia. These effects can make the child’s life very difficult. Difficulty in school, an inability to maintain a social life and a host of other problems can result from a poor night’s sleep. Treatment for insomnia in children always starts with a proper diagnosis. A proper diagnosis leads to effective proper treatment. There are lots of conditions that could lead to the insomnia. As with many disorders, there is an unfortunate tendency for parents to downplay a potentially serious condition that is in fact quite serious.

Ascertaining a Proper Diagnosis of Insomnia in Children

Most people will have to deal with insomnia at one point or another within their lifetime. If the insomnia becomes continual, that may indicate a serious underlying condition. Parents must take the insomnia in a child seriously. If it isn’t taken seriously, then a proper diagnosis can’t be made and without a proper diagnosis, proper treatment can’t take place. This doesn’t help the child and may, in fact, lead to a worsening of the underlying condition.

Insomnia in Children and the Parent’s Role

If you as a parent notice the presence of insomnia in children, it is your responsibility to make sure the condition is treated properly. In your primary role as caregiver you must not neglect this responsibility. Neglecting the condition won’t help and in fact can make it worse. The ramifications can be dire.

As a parent you must not ignore potentially serious conditions and while insomnia may not seem like a serious condition, it can be. A superficial analysis of a problem by an untrained person isn’t the way to go. Insomnia in children should be diagnosed and treated by a professional.

natural sleep aids

Sarah Walker asked:


It is quite common for children to have difficulty falling asleep sometimes. Child insomnia is in fact rather common and can happen to any child at any age. We will look at some of the factors that can contribute to insomnia in children as well as some ways to help cure it.

As children are very used to routine in their lifestyle, sometimes, a change at home or environment can trigger insomnia. This broken routine can make a child feel insecure and anxious. Factors like moving to another place, a divorce, and a death in the family or even just a change in the parent’s jobs can affect a child tremendously. For example, if you have changed your job and are spending less at home, your child may feel insecure about your absence. This is especially so if you have to travel and be away from your family because of your new job. Sometimes, we do not think something like that could affect a child. However, these are exactly the kind of things that can cause child insomnia because they are actually affected by the change in their life.

Children are used to having regular bedtime and wake up time. This is usually established at a very young age so they are very accustomed to this routine. A disruption in this routine can trigger off insomnia in children. Without most families leading busier lifestyles than before, many children experience insomnia as a result of late nights, traveling and disruptive schedules.

Insomnia can affect children in two ways: one is short term or acute. In this case, the child could be sleepless for a night or two for a week. This type of insomnia is usually caused by sickness, temperature or medications. Making the child comfortable and perhaps some medications can easily cure insomnia of this type. Nonetheless, this short-term insomnia will pass in after some time.

There is another type of insomnia that plagues children. That is the chronic insomnia. Chronic insomnia is long term and it may affect the child for more than month. Usually, in the case of chronic insomnia, the child may be up about three times a week. If this is the case, you should seek a doctor’s help to make sure that it gets treated as soon as possible. Some factors that may cause chronic insomnia are pain, anxiety, stress and depression.

In most cases, the insomnia symptoms does not last for a very long time. It is quite common for them to experience insomnia sometimes due to change or adjustments. It is also easier to cure the insomnia once you know the cause of it and give ample assurance to the child.

sleeping difficulty