Sleeping Problems

Why Doesn’t My Baby Or Young Child Sleep?

Babies and young children rarely follow regular sleeping patterns and may often refuse to fall asleep or wake at regular intervals. The reasons for this may include:-

• Illness
• Bad dreams
• Worries or apprehension
• Nightmares
• night terrors
• sleep walking or sleep talking
• bed-wetting
• physical illness

How Do I Deal With My Child’s Sleeping Problems?

• Reassure yourself that you're not alone. Children’s sleep problems are a common concern for one in five families.
• Establish a regular routine for sleeping and waking New babies have broken sleep patterns and may take up to three months to settle
• Small children need to develop regular habits. Put them down and leave them to sleep at regular intervals

Develop a routine for dealing with a child that wakes in the night

• Soothe and settle the child
• Explain that it’s night time and they should be asleep
• Say goodnight and leave the child to sleep in their own room
• If they cry again, leave them to cry for a little longer
• Soothe and settle the child again
• Do not offer food or drink. This rewards them for waking
• Be firm and resolute
• If they are old enough to get out of bed, make sure they return to and sleep in their own bed
• Reward them when they do sleep well

Ensure that the bedroom that your child is sleeping in is conducive to a restful nights sleep.

• Ambient temperature, not too hot or cold, bed away from the radiator or an open window
• Appropriate bedding and pyjamas
• Consider a night light if your child is afraid of the dark

A pre-bedtime routine can also help

• Tea or supper at a reasonable time
• Warm bath
• Quiet or story time

 

 

 

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