According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, between 25 and 50 percent of kids and 40 percent of teenagers have sleep issues. The first step in helping your kids sleep better is to understand what kind of sleep they need. By implementing age-appropriate routines, practicing good sleep hygiene, and closely monitoring any sleep disorders, you can ensure that your child gets the necessary sleep for a robust and healthy growth.
Why is sleep important for children?
Sleep is essential for a child's mental growth. Research indicates that sleep affects not only pleasure directly but also alertness and attention, mood, resiliency, vocabulary acquisition, learning and memory, says Dr Babita Jasjit Jain, senior director & HOD, pediatrics, Max hospital, Gurugram. Jain adds that napping seems to be essential for the development of motor skills, executive attention, and memory consolidation in toddlers. Also, sleep. plays a significant role in growth, particularly in the early years of life.
Tips for good sleep as suggested by Jain.
Sleep tips for babies: Very young babies rarely sleep through the night because they have not yet developed a circadian rhythm, but that's okay. If they don't go back to sleep on their own, try comforting them verbally or by touch without getting them up. They might be hungry or in need of a diaper change if they don't stop crying. If at all feasible, use a nightlight to quickly and silently solve the issue before softly leaving the room.
Sleep tips for toddlers: Young toddlers nap during the day to improve their sleep schedule. Separation anxiety and FOMO, which appear as prolonging behaviors and stubbornness at bedtime, exacerbate toddler sleep issues. Giving them discretion over small decisions like what to read or wear in their jammies will help reduce these complaints. They will probably react more strongly to power struggles, so try to be patient, firm, and loving at the same time.
Sleep tips for school kids: School-age children frequently have hectic schedules that might make it challenging for them to obtain a decent night's sleep due to their obligations in their extracurricular, social, and academic lives. Whenever feasible, make an effort to stick to a regular routine that includes a wind-down time before bed. When possible, make them complete their homework or other tasks in a different room so as to reinforce the connection between the bedroom and sleeping.
Sleep tips for teenagers: Teen's later circadian rhythm are deeply rooted in them, which might cause issues with when schools start. Recognising that your adolescent has more demands on their time and working with them to develop a healthy sleep routine that fits their lifestyle are two ways you can support them. When it comes to sleeping, teenagers seem to take like their parents to some degree, so setting an example for them by maintaining a regular sleep schedule is one of the finest things you can do to support their development.
The development of sound sleep patterns is essential for children's general wellbeing. Parents may help their children obtain the sleep they need to flourish by being aware of their individual sleep needs and putting age-appropriate methods into practice. Remember that creating a conducive sleep environment for your kids and setting an example of sound sleeping practices yourself will help them form a lifetime habit of getting enough good, restful sleep. By giving their kids the gift of sound sleep, parents may significantly contribute to their development of mental and physical well-being if they are committed and patient.
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