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