When a child is having trouble sleeping, it can be equal parts heartbreaking and frustrating. It is difficult to see your child struggle at night, especially when anxiety or illness is the cause of their sleeplessness these are the ones we’re concerned about; however, it is important for your child to get adequate sleep in order for them to perform well in school, function around the home, and more. There are also children who are snoring while sleeping. If your child is one of them, it would be better to bring them to a pediatric otolaryngology for proper assessment and treatment. Since an ent actually specializes in the kind of conditions that can affect someone and cause them to snore while they sleep, they will be better prepared to identify and diagnose the issue. Seeing Ear, Nose, & Throat Physicians for this condition would of course then lead to the proper treatment, and hopefully a speedy recovery.
While you might feel helpless when watching your child struggle with sleep, there are a few things you can do to help them, from creating a better bedtime routine to forming good sleep habits.
Here are a few tips for helping your child sleep.
Establish a Firm Routine
Most children who struggle with sleeplessness do not have a firm bedtime routine in place. Putting your children to bed around the same time each night can help your children prepare for sleep, and might encourage them to feel tired around the same time each night. It is also important during this time to engage in activities and discussions that can help your child unwind after a particularly stressful or tough day and to ease symptoms of anxiety which often contribute to sleeplessness in children. While you might not be able to treat your child to a relaxing evening at a spa like inhstl.com, there are plenty of things you can do to help your child unwind on your own, such as journaling, reading, or having a discussion about their day.
Limit Naps
While naps are essential for young children, older children should try to limit naps after school or in the evening before bed as they can reduce their ability to fall asleep and stay asleep at night. Help your child’s internal clock stay consistent by encouraging them to do activities around the house instead of napping in the afternoon or evening. If they are really tired and need a nap, set an alarm and wake them up after about 20 minutes, as this is the recommended amount of time for a nap that is restful yet will not disrupt future sleep.
Create Proper Sleep Conditions
Try to monitor distractions that can be a hindrance to your child’s sleep, such as an excess of lighting, a TV in their room, or an unnecessary amount of noise near their bedroom. When your child is in bed, try to limit the noise level in the rest of the house so that you don’t wake them or provide distractions that could leave them not wanting to sleep.
